It’s two days before the kickoff of the 73rd annual Sisters Rodeo, and Bonnie Malone — secretary for the Sisters Rodeo Association and a board member since 1989 (minus an 18-month break) — is savoring the 30 minutes she’ll spend discussing this year’s big event with GO! Magazine.

“It’s nice to be able to just talk for a few minutes,” she said with a chuckle. “My legs were so sore when I got home from the work party Saturday, from going up and down steps to do cleaning. It’s nice to be functioning while sitting.”

Alas, Malone knew that thousands of people are due to arrive at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds over the next week, and there is work to be done.

“We’ll be stringing pennants today and tomorrow,” she said. “We’re down to the big, fat wire.”

Fast-forward five days, and we’re now almost halfway through the self-proclaimed “Biggest Little Show in the World.” The five-day extravaganza kicked off with an “Xtreme Bulls” show and dance Wednesday and the slack competition Thursday night.

Three rodeos will take place between tonight and Sunday, along with the annual parade, buckaroo breakfast and cowboy church service. (See “If you go” and schedule on right.)

This year’s rodeo will attract a number of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competitors who will try to boost their ratings and advance to the national finals rodeo in events such as steer wrestling, tie-down roping, bareback riding, saddlebronc riding, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding.

Competitors include Central Oregon’s own Bobby Mote, Austin Foss, Brenda Mays, Brian Bain, Steve Peebles, Sean Santucci, Casey McMillen, Michael Reger, Dave Inman and more.

“I just love watching the competition between these animals that are bred to do this job and truly love it,” Malone said, “and the cowboys and cowgirls who … love the animals.”

Also on the schedule: Performances at each rodeo by Percheron Thunder, a Colorado-based act that features a man “Roman riding” a draft horse — standing on the horse’s back — while “driving” other horses using reins.

“Watching some guy standing on the back of a nearly ton-sized draft horse and guiding five other horses with six sets of reins is pretty exciting,” Malone said. “I’m really pumped about seeing Percheron Thunder.”

Animals aside, however, Malone is most excited about reuniting with her Sisters Rodeo family, including the group of around 200 volunteers that help ensure the rodeo runs smoothly, she said.

“We just have amazing people who are really … a stunning, mixed, eclectic group,” she said. “And frankly, not all of them have ever owned a horse. They just care about the event and the organization.”

And then there are the crowds that show up for the entertainment (this year, in what’s forecasted to be excellent weather).

“I’ve been an animal person all my life, but I can’t say the rodeo is more to me about the events than it is about the people who come. It’s just a great gathering of people in a really good mood for the weekend,” she said. “And as exhausted as the rodeo organization is by the time we have a rodeo, we just get a resurgence of energy and everybody is smiling. And the fans are so much fun. The fans can be their own colorful show.”

Skip it at your own risk, Malone said.

“If anybody misses it, it’s his or her loss. It’s going to be a fabulous weekend.”

If you go

What: Sisters Rodeo

When:

• Today — 7 p.m. rodeo

• Saturday — 9:30 a.m. parade; 1 and 7 p.m. rodeo

• Sunday — buckaroo breakfast, 7-11 a.m.; cowboy church service, 9 a.m.; rodeo, 1 p.m.

Where: Sisters Rodeo Grounds, 67637 U.S. Highway 20

Cost: $12, kids 12 and younger free on Friday; $12, $15 and $18 Saturday and Sunday

Contact: www.sistersrodeo.com or 541-549-0121