Most folks who are familiar with Sisters have at least heard of, if not attended, the famous Sisters Rodeo, which takes place each summer during the second weekend of June. Well, now a new fall rodeo tradition seems to be in the works.
Hot on the heels of last weekend's venerable Pendleton Round-up in Eastern Oregon comes the new kid on the block: the Northwest Pro Rodeo Finals, which debuts its second season in Sisters this weekend (and for which my office, RE/MAX Town & Country Realty, serves as a main sponsor).
Also located at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds, the event brings together the best of the regional cowboys for Northwest Professional Rodeo Association's annual finals in six main events. (The Northwest Professional Rodeo Association is the western United States' largest regional rodeo organization; it annually sanctions more than 40 rodeos throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada and California.)
This rodeo is the brainchild of Outlaw Productions, which also held the inaugural Pacific Coast Series this year, 30-plus rodeos scattered throughout the region all leading up to this event. Outlaw was founded by two well-known Central Oregon cowboys: bull rider Dan Wolfe and saddle bronc rider Ryder Gauteraux, who have brought some of their rodeo friends into the fold (well-known rodeo announcer Doug Mathis, for example, signed on for the rodeo last year at the invitation of his buddy Wolfe and will return again this year, he says, because he was so impressed with the production -- and with Central Oregon).
Events include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and wild-cow milking. That's right. Wild-cow milking. For the uninitiated, in wild-cow milking, a herd of cows -- plucked straight out of the pasture -- are turned out into the arena, and then a team of competitors races after them. One member must catch the cow and hang on to it while another milks it, then the team must cross the finish line with milk in a bottle.
The festivities kick off Thursday night with a pre-party at the new Three Creeks Brewing Co. in Sisters. Friday's rodeo starts at 6 p.m., and is followed by two concerts: first Anastacia with Shireen Amini, followed by Leif James. Saturday's rodeo begins at 2 p..m, and is preceded by a breakfast and NPRA meeting, and followed by a barbecue and two more concerts with Anastacia/Shireen Amini, and Leif James. A Sunday morning awards banquet for NPRA members is followed by a 4-D barrel race.
All in all, it should be a lot of fun. Hope to see you there! (For a complete schedule, check out the Rodeo's website.)
About the Author:
Lisa Broadwater is a Central Oregon-based real estate professional who specializes in listing
and selling rural acreage, especially horse properties. If you'd like to learn more
about Central Oregon, please visit www.CentralOregonHome4You.com.
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