Round-Up to launch multimillion dollar renovation of west grandstands

Architect Rendering

The Pendleton Round-Up Association has unanimously decided to spend $8.6 million to dramatically upgrade the west grandstands in time for the rodeo’s centennial celebration in 2010. Round-Up President Randy Severe is in the process of establishing a committee to finalize the agreement with WC Construction of Elgin, Ore., which will serve as general contractor for the project.

The financing for the project comes from several sources. The association will take out a loan to be supported by royalties received from Round-Up’s relationship with Hood River Distilleries for the sale of Pendleton Whisky. In addition, Round-Up has received a private donation from Pendleton Woolen Mills, a long-time friend and partner of the rodeo. Grant funding from various foundations and state and federal monies will round out the funding.

The tough economic times actually inspired the association to act on the project now, according to Director Mike Thorne, who chairs the Long Range Planning Continue reading…

Category: Features, News & Updates

House and Senate pass resolution
marking 100th anniversary

PENDLETON, Ore. – The Oregon Legislature has unanimously passed a joint legislative resolution honoring the Pendleton Round-Up on the occasion of the rodeo’s 100^th anniversary in 2010. Rodeo representatives gathered at the state capitol to witness Gov. Ted Kulongoski signing the measure.

The resolution was sponsored by Senator David Nelson (R- Dist. 29) Rep. Bob Jenson (R-Dist. 58) and Rep. Greg Smith (R-District 57). It was shepherded through the legislative process by Jennifer Hudson, vice president and general counsel with PAC/WEST of Portland, who began her volunteer work for the rodeo when she was a child.

Seated left to right: Gov. Ted Kulongoski, Sen. David Nelson, Rep. Greg Smith Standing left to right: Round-Up directors Kevin Hudson and Larry Williams (partially obscured) and Round-Up President Randy Severe.

“In my testimony, I recounted my involvement since the age of 12, beginning as an usher and selling programs, moving on to work in concessions and as a guide in the Hall of Fame Museum, and then as an adult volunteering with the Let ‘er Buck Room, security, in the souvenir booth and Room 17,” Hudson said. “I noted that my experience is typical of people from Pendleton for whom the Round-Up is not merely a week-long event each September, but rather a life-long experience in community involvement and service.”

In her role as a lobbyist, Hudson was aware of joint legislative resolutions, which are used to express an opinion or sentiment on a matter of public interest. She thought Round-Up’s centennial fit that category perfectly.

“I thought that the one century worth of culture embodied by the Round-Up, not to mention Continue reading…

Category: News & Updates

September 15-18, 2010

PENDLETON, Ore.  – Tickets for the 100^th Pendleton Round-Up, Sept. 15-18, 2010, will go on sale at 8:30 a.m. on July 31, 2009. Round-Up Director Troy LeGore said the decision was made because of widespread interest in purchasing tickets for the 2010 Round-Up from around the world.

“The demand has been big,” LeGore said. “We’ve had Round-Up supporters from the United Kingdom and Australia who wanted to purchase them while they were here in 2008.” Normally tickets for the next year’s Round-Up go on sale slightly before the current rodeo. This sale date is for the general public, permanent ticket order procedures for the 2010 Round-Up have not been changed.

The 100th Round-Up will have added attractions each day that only those who hold tickets can enjoy.  Although the plans are still being worked out, Round-Up Director Tim Hawkins believes they should be able to tackle the logistics of each event.

The American Indian traditional hide race will return after years’ of absence to the Continue reading…

Category: News & Updates

Centennial Plaza

Round-Up is close
to reaching its
fundraising goal

The Pendleton Round-Up is about $100,000 away from its million-dollar goal for completion of the Round-Up Centennial Plaza in front of the rodeo grounds on Southwest Court Avenue. Committee chairmen Tim Hawkins and Mike Thorne have asked the public for help to meet the goal.

“We wanted to give everyone a chance to contribute to this exciting improvement,” Hawkins said. “The public has always shown its support for the rodeo and we hope this fundraising effort will be a success.

Thorne agreed. “Although times are tough, we’ve gotten so close to our goal because Round-Up is near and dear to groups like the Pendleton Foundation and various businesses,” he said. “We hope Continue reading…

Category: News & Updates

Pendleton Round-Up Centennial Cookbook

Beyond The Bull

The Pendleton Round-Up started in 1910 and has grown to a four-day extravaganza that brings more than 50,000 visitors to this cozy Eastern Oregon town of 16,000. Food has played an important role in Round-Up celebrations over the decades and each organization and family has added their own spin. The participation of the Umatilla, Cayuse and Walla Walla tribes, dating back to the very first rodeo, makes the Pendleton gathering a unique event and adds to the diversity of food that’s associated with Round-Up. Whether it’s fry bread, the cowboy breakfast, a barbeque, or a special baked beans dish that is served to guests in the backyard, food has become an important tradition. This cookbook, Beyond The Bull, documents these traditions while celebrating the Round-Up’s 100th Anniversary.

Pre-Sales are being taken for Pendleton Round-Up Centennial Bookbook. For more information, or to reserve a copy you can stop by the Round-Up & Happy Canyon office located in the Hall of Fame Museum at 1114 SW Court Avenue, or call 541-276-2553.

Category: News & Updates