A patriotic, flag-waving 57th annual Crooked River Roundup rolls into Prineville starting today with a cattle drive through town and later in the week a parade titled ”Heroes of the American West.”

Taking a prominent position during the Roundup will be a display of 20-by-30-foot American flags. The three co-grand marshals are representatives of emergency personnel: Prineville Chief of Police Jim Soules, Crook County Sheriff Rodd Clark, and Prineville Fire Chief Bob Schnoor.

”We’re honoring a real patriotic-type theme this year,” said Hank Simmons, vice president of the Roundup.

Of course, the big draws are the three Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association performances set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which have drawn some of the best competitors in the nation.

Former bareback world champion Clint Corey of Powell Butte is scheduled to compete. Five-time team roping world champions Rich Skelton and Speed Williams are signed up, as is former world champion calf roper and former all-around world champion Joe Beaver of Texas.

Cody Jesse of John Day, the top-ranked bareback rider in the country, is also expected to compete.

”We want our spectators to come and really enjoy themselves and see a quality rodeo, with fast action,” said Simmons. ”These are excellent competitors and athletes.”

Stock is provided by the Frank Beard Rodeo Co. and will include animals from past National Finals Rodeos.

The rodeos will include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping, steer roping, and women’s barrel racing.

Cost to attend the rodeo performances is $14 for reserved box seats, $12 for adult general admission, and $10 for children 12 and under. Adult general admission seats purchased before noon Thursday cost $10. Bleacher seats, sold at the gate only, cost $12.

General admission tickets can be purchased in advance at Prineville Men’s Wear, Sun Home Video in Prineville, Sun Home Video in Redmond, Big R in Redmond, Corral West Ranch Wear and Truck Toyz in Bend, and Erickson’s Sentry in Madras. Box seats are available only at Simmons Realty in Prineville.

Today’s cattle drive begins at 4 p.m. and is followed at 5 p.m. by a ”Git Together” with special events and entertainment.

On Thursday, a Kickoff Bash with a barbecue and entertainment is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Stafford Inn on the east end of Prineville.

Early risers can take in the cowboy breakfast Friday starting at 6 a.m. Rodeo slack – part of the competition that doesn’t fit into the main performance – is planned for 8 a.m. at the Crook County Fairgrounds.

”We’re trying to make it a community event where the community has other activities to do as well,” said Simmons. ”We try to give spectators other things they can do during the day.”

Gates open for the first performance of the rodeo at 5 p.m., with the rodeo getting under way at 7 p.m. Friday is family night: children under 12 are admitted for half price with paid adults.

Saturday is a big day for rodeo fans, starting at 7:30 a.m. with Summerfest events. At 10 a.m., the ”Heroes of the American West” parade rolls through town, and at 2 p.m. the Miss Rodeo Oregon Fashion Show is planned.

Gates open at 5 p.m. for the second performance of the rodeo, which begins at 7 p.m.

The last performance starts at 2 p.m. Sunday. Kids under 12 can attend free when they bring a stick horse. There is also a kids’ stick horse race planned.

The 2003 Miss Rodeo Oregon coronation will also take place during the final performance of the rodeo.