 |
|
|
| 6/3/2005 1:49:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article
Comment on this article |  |
|
Steers, bulls and broncs make CJD the fun it is.
Photo by Michael Lane |
|
Chief Joseph Days: 60 years of rodeo
The 60th annual Chief Joseph Days rodeo will take place July 27, 28, 29 and 30 — Wednesday through Saturday — at the Harley Tucker Memorial Arena in Joseph. Voted one of the top small outdoor rodeos nationally, Chief Joseph Days attracts major contenders to all its rodeo events, as well as top stock contractors, bullfighters, clowns and specialty acts.
Under the majestic backdrop of the Wallowa Mountains, many of the biggest names from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association will be competing for a total purse of more than $75,000. Chief Joseph Days Rodeo was named one of the five top small outdoor rodeos in the nation in 1997 and 1999. In 2003, it was named the top small rodeo in the Columbia River Circuit, which includes Oregon, Washington and part of Idaho.
The fast-paced fun begins Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. with the Bucking Horse Stampede on Main Street in Joseph. The carnival opens at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Breaking with tradition this year, the PRCA rodeo sessions begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
| 2004 CJD top bull riders | 1 Ryan Howard, Boulder City, Nev. 84 $2,662.65
2 Brett Crump, Lone Pine, Mont. 81 $1,775.09
3 Monty Schaack, Red Bluff, Calif. 81 $1,775.09
4 Ryan Hochstrat, Quail Valley, Calif. 79 $976.30
5 Dustin Larsen, Manila, Utah 76 $621.28
6 Cody Ruiz, Fruitland, Idaho 75 $399.39
7 Jerry Shepherd, Levan, Utah 75 $399.39
8 Brian Sanders, Elgin, Ore. 73 $266.26 |
Wednesday is family night, with mutton busting and a alcohol-free dance beginning at 9 p.m. in the Thunder Room. Adult dances are scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, also at 9 p.m. in the Thunder Room, with the Little McKay Creek Band performing.
Returning for his 10th year as CJD announcer is Bob Tallman. Tallman has been an announcer for the National Finals Rodeo 16 times and has received the PRCA’s “Announcer of the Year” award six times.
Bullfighters Joe Baumgartner of Red Bluff, Calif., and Ryan Heiser of Cottonwood, Calif., are also returning this year. The two consider their main job to be protecting the bull riders during competition.
Rodeo clown T.C. Evans will be performing a specialty act during the Wednesday and Thursday night rodeos. Evans began bullfighting in 1979 and worked amateur and semi-pro rodeos for 12 years. In 1991, he joined the PRCA and began focusing on barrel comedy and entertainment. Evans has twice been chosen comedy act of the year in the PRCA’s Columbia River Circuit.
Performing the specialty act on Friday and Saturday night is clown/barrelman Clint Selvester.
The American Legion Breakfast will be held at 5:30 a.m. on Friday, followed by the golf tournament sign up at 8 a.m. at the Alpine Meadows Golf Course in Enterprise, Slack time at 9 a.m., and the Chief Joseph Junior Parade at 10 a.m. on Main Street in Joseph.
Saturday events begin with an early morning Shrine Breakfast at the rodeo grounds, followed by the Grand Parade on Main Street at 10 a.m., the Friendship Feast at the Encampment Pavilion at noon and the Traditional Indian Dance Contest at the Encampment Pavilion at 3 p.m.
The Cowboy Breakfast begins at 11 p.m. on Saturday and continues the following morning. Cowboy Church Service, sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys, begins at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Harley Tucker Memorial Arena.
The rodeo stock will again be provided by Growney Brothers Rodeo Company of Red Bluff, Calif., which includes Don Kish bulls.
Tricia Kunkle has been named the Chief Joseph Days Queen, with Madeline Smith and Julie Butterfield completing the court as princesses.
Chief Joseph Days is organized by the Joseph Chamber of Commerce, with the help of over 200 volunteers. For more information visit the Web site, (www.chiefjosephdays.com) or call 541-432-1015.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
|
|
