The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Long-time Sisters Rodeo volunteer Mike Reed is this year's parade grand marshal.

Sisters Realtor Mike Reed has been named grand marshal for the 2002 Sisters Rodeo Parade.

The parade will be held on Saturday, June 8 starting at 9:30 a.m. in downtown Sisters as part of the 62nd Sisters PRCA Rodeo.

"I am extremely honored to be the parade grand marshal for the 2002 'Biggest Little Show In The World'," Reed said.

Reed's involvement with the Sisters Rodeo goes back many years and includes his participation as a spectator, participant, board member and association president for three years.

He started attending the rodeo as a young boy of 14. His parents had purchased the Cold Springs Ranch west of Sisters and the family was spending much time in Sisters away from their Portland home.

After graduating from the University of Oregon, he came to Sisters to join his brother Bill in real estate.

Soon Mike was invited to join the Sisters Rodeo Association.

"At my first meeting, I was asked to review the purchase contract for the present rodeo site," Reed said. "The next year, I was elected to the board of directors and then served as president from 1981 through 1983."

During his time as president, he guided the development of the present-day rodeo arena and grounds, the first permanent home for the rodeo after several temporary locations.

His greatest challenge was moving in 5,000 bleacher seats for spectators each year. This included an exchange of bleachers with the Canby rodeo in western Oregon and borrowing bleachers from Bend area schools. Construction of permanent seating became a priority and was financed through the sale of box seats.

Reed was a rodeo participant with his brother in the wild cow milking and businessman's cow ride and teamed with Jack Lowery in the team-roping event.

While on the Sisters Rodeo board, Mike was asked to serve on the board of governors of the International Professional Rodeo Association, with which the Sisters Rodeo was affiliated with at the time. Because he was named to that board's position representing spectators and could not be a member of any rodeo association, he resigned from the Sisters board.

He served on the IPRA board for three years, attending meetings and national finals in Oklahoma.

Today, Reed is co-owner and broker of Coldwell Banker Reed Bros. Realt in Sisters.

The rodeo runs June 7, 8 and 9. Tickets are available at the rodeo office at 220 S.W. Cascade Ave. in Sisters or by calling 549-0121.