Couple named Rodeo Parade Grand Marshals

Ron and Rosie Collins of Sisters will be Grand Marshals of the Sisters Rodeo Parade. Photo by Jim Fisher

Ron and Rosie Collins of Sisters will be Grand Marshals for the 2003 Sisters Rodeo Parade.

Sisters Rodeo Association President Glenn Miller made the announcement at a recent meeting of the association.

The parade will be held on Saturday, June 14, starting at 9:30 a.m. in downtown Sisters as part of the 63rd Sisters PRCA Rodeo.

Both of the Collinses have been active in the Sisters Rodeo Association since 1987. Ron has served on the rodeo's board of directors since 1990. He is responsible for security and signs during the rodeo and rental of the rodeo grounds to other organizations and families year-round.

Rosie helps serves food for association meetings and work parties, plus assisting at the queen's luncheon. She also oversees the rodeo clubhouse during the rodeo. She has worked the main gate taking tickets.

During the first years with the association, the Collins helped remove an old building on the rodeo grounds and build the new clubhouse. Rosie remembers helping to dig ditches for utilities.

After that building burned, they helped clean up the debris and rebuild.

"I couldn't even talk when it was announced that we would be grand marshals," Rosie said. "I still get choked up. Ron didn't know it either since the board made their decision outside the meetings that he was attending. It's a great honor, really something."

Ron was born in Portland and attended school in Bend before entering military service. After his discharge in 1960, he operated a Corvette repair business in Denver, Colorado.

After he and Rosie were married, they moved to Oregon and purchased their home just east of Sisters in 1980. Ron is now semi-retired from his business doing automotive bodywork and painting.

For rodeo information call 549-0121.