When it comes to summer events in Central Oregon, Sisters Rodeo is among the oldest and most popular. It’s also one of the earliest of the region’s big events, stretching out over give days on the second weekend in June.

This year, The Biggest Little Show in the World is happening Wednesday, June 5 through Sunday, June 9.

“There’s an old joke that we say in the month of June, you don’t know if you’re going to have to wear your Bermuda shorts or bring your long johns,” said Brian Greig, one of 13 members of the rodeo board. He handles merchandise, sponsorships and marketing.

From its start in 1940 to the present, Sisters Rodeo has been a big draw for professional riders, with competitors coming from all across the country as they attempt to earn their way into the National Finals in December in Las Vegas.

According to Greig, some 650 riders were looking to compete at this year’s rodeo when entry opened a few weeks ago.

“I anticipate that number only to go up by rodeo,” he said. “We’re going to put about over 30,000 people through the gate this year.”

Returning once again will be popular clown JJ Harrison, and Wayne Brooks, whose career began as a competitor, will announce the rodeo.

Getting there

Greig notes that gates open two hours prior to each rodeo event.

“We do recommend that they get here early,” Greig said. “The gate’s open, so you can tailgate before the rodeo, so we encourage people to get off the highway as early as possible, come be at the rodeo grounds. Obviously, we’ll have our food vendors as well as as merchandise booths.”

A complimentary shuttle service will be running between the rodeo grounds on Highway 20 to and from Sisters High and Sisters Elementary schools. It will run every 15 minutes for two hours before and after each rodeo performance.

How do I get tickets?

Though events for Friday and Saturday are nearly sold out, some remain for events Wednesday and Sunday. The only place to find valid tickets is at tickets.sistersrodeo.com, according to the rodeo’s organizers. Once ordered, they’re sent directly to your email address.

Seating is divided into blue, gold, red and box sections. Children under 2 do not need a ticket if sitting on a parent’s lap.

Red Rock Corral

For those without tickets but who still want to get in on the fun, Red Rock Corral is an option. A former fire station moved to the rodeo grounds and turned into a bar, it boasts large-screen TVs, food and drinks. A $20 wristband gets you into the corral.

“If you don’t get a chance to get a ticket for the rodeo, you can come get a wristband,” Greig said. “It doesn’t get you a seat, but you can just come and be a part of the action and watch the rodeo on the TVs and have a beverage as well.”

There are 13 directors on the rodeo’s board, and part of their work entails shepherding the massive volunteer effort of putting on the Sisters Rodeo — about 240 volunteers in all, according to Greig.

On the whole, “I like to say it’s the most beautiful scene in rodeo,” Greig said. “It’s surrounded by the luscious national forest that bumps up the Sisters Rodeo Grounds.”

2024 Sisters Rodeo schedule

Wednesday — Extreme Bulls 2024, 6:30 p.m.

Tickets: $22-$28

Friday — Rodeo performance, 7 p.m.

Tickets: $22-$28

Saturday — Rodeo performances 1 and 7 p.m.

Tickets: $22-$28

Sunday — Rodeo performance 1 p.m.

Tickets: $20-$25

Tickets available at sistersrodeo.com. All seating is reserved seating in Blue, Gold & Red sections. Handicap seating available by calling Sisters Rodeo at 541-549-0121.