Sisters Rodeo 2008Rowdy Barry

by Gregg Morris / The Bulletin Special Projects

As spring gives way to summer, Central Oregon weather becomes more consistently sunny, kids get out of school, and the Sisters Rodeo brings the old west to life.

Traditionally held the second weekend in June, the 2014 Sisters Rodeo, June 11-15, is coming up on its 74th year of highlighting the cowboy culture. A member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association since 1988 and Columbia Circuit Rodeo of the Year in 2009, the Sisters Rodeo was the inspiration for the city of Sisters’ western theme.

With the exception of the announcers and the stock suppliers, the Sisters Rodeo has remained an all-volunteer production since its inception. It takes roughly 200 volunteers to make sure all facets of the event run smoothly.

“We’ve had our hearts in this for a long time,” explained Sisters Rodeo Board Secretary, Bonnie Malone. In the ongoing effort to improve upon the rodeo, a new, more inviting, entry was built for the grounds. In addition, the rodeo has the biggest purse in the nation for that weekend, which usually brings in the best cowboys in the sport.

“It’s tradition, or a reunion,” Malone said. “People try to get the same seats.”

Kicking off the five-day spectacle at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday night is the PRCA Xtreme Bulls competition. The only officially sanctioned bull riding tour of the PRCA, the event uses only bucking bulls and played to a packed house last year. Bullfighters Rowdy Barry and Danny Newman, alongside barrelman/clown JJ Harrison will help keep the bull riders as safe as possible, considering the fact they are riding one-ton animals. The evening concludes with the Rodeo Dance at 9 p.m.

Thursday, the fun begins at 8 a.m. with free admission to the “Slack” performances. Breakfast concessions open at 7 a.m. as timed event competitors get an opportunity to score. Slack allows contestants who didn’t get chosen for the rodeo competition to compete before the rodeo begins.

Friday, June 13, is the Les Schwab Family Night. Children 12 years old and younger are free for this open-seated, 7 p.m. performance.

“Kids love the rodeo,” said Malone. “They love to do the cowboy thing.”

The night’s show is the culmination of the Sisters Rodeo day of giving back to the community. During the day, the specialty act, the rodeo queen and clown go to the Sisters Elementary School to talk to the kids about hard work and character.

Saturday begins at 9:30 a.m. with the very popular Sisters Rodeo Parade. Leading the way will be the color guard, the 2014 rodeo queen and the specialty act. Last year, 22 current and former rodeo queens participated in the parade. The afternoon rodeo performance begins at 1 p.m., while the evening’s show begins at 7 p.m.

Sunday wraps up the rodeo with the Pepsi & Bend/Sisters Garden RV Resort Day. The Kiwanis Buckaroo Breakfast runs from 7-11 a.m., the Cowboy Church Service starts at 9 a.m., and the final rodeo performance starts at 1 p.m.

“Sunday is the best day to come,” said Malone. “There’s so much going on, the crowds are smaller, and the weather’s usually nice.”

The specialty act of this year’s rodeo is the Bobby Kerr Mustang Act. Bobby will bring his amazing equine performance to Sisters as he highlights the athletic abilities of his spectacularly-trained mustangs.

“Central Oregon has an extensive passion for Mustang Rescue,” said Malone. “They’re going to love his act.”

Oregon State University student Brooklyn Nelson was crowned the 2014 Sisters Rodeo Queen in September at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds.

In other royalty news, 21-year-old Sisters High School graduate Sara Marcus, the 2012 Sisters Rodeo Queen, has been named Miss Rodeo Oregon 2014. Sara will represent Oregon in rodeos throughout the United States and Canada in 2014 and then compete in the 2015 Miss Rodeo America pageant in Las Vegas. This is the second time a Sisters Rodeo Queen has been named Miss Rodeo Oregon.

While the Sisters Rodeo has been around for more than seven decades, Central Oregon has become a hub of cowboys and cowgirls. Locals, including Trevor Knolls, Steven Peebles and Brenda Mays have been adding to the excitement of the rodeo circuit for years.

The rodeo expects roughly 6,000 people to attend each show, some from as far away as Germany. The announcers for the event will be Curt Robinson and Wayne Brooks.

“I’m looking forward to another great big rodeo with all of the top contestants competing,” said Sisters Rodeo Board President Glenn Miller.