News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Volunteers put the finishing touches on the Sisters Rodeo Arena as they get set to host "The Biggest Little Show in the World."
"We're ready to roll," said Hank Moss, a member of the Sisters Rodeo Association Board of Directors.
It takes a huge volunteer effort - of some 225 people - to get Sisters Rodeo ready to roll, from painting to landscaping to manning food concessions and helping patrons find their seats to take in "The Biggest Little Show in the World."
Moss expects some first-class rodeo action over the weekend, Friday-Sunday, June 9-11.
"A lot of world champions will be there," Moss told The Nugget. "Lots of big names will be there this year, so that's awesome."
While the Rodeo itself runs over the weekend, the action actually kicks off Wednesday night with Xtreme Bulls, a bullriding-only event that highlights the skill of riders trying to stay atop a bucking, whirling mass of professional trouble.
Moss said that Rodeo fans can expect some new touches around the arena, including a more consistent presentation of sponsor banners. That's important to the Rodeo Association.
"They do a lot for us," said Moss," and we want people to see that and shop local and use our sponsors."
They have installed new low-energy, high-output LED lamps that dramatically improve illumination for the event. The lights make for a better experience for attendees of evening performances - and illuminate the arena for high-definition TV coverage. Once again, the Sisters Rodeo will be live telecast on the Cowboy Channel and RFD TV.
The Sisters Rodeo is on the pro tour - an acknowledgement that the event is among the top PRCA rodeos in the country.
Each Rodeo performance starts with the Wild Horse Race, and this year the purse is a record $14,000. That wild and wooly event is the featured image on this year's event poster created by Sisters artist Dyrk Godby.
This year marks the return of specialty act Tomas Garcilazo, representing the tradition of "La Charreria," which is a skill performed through the generations only by the Mexican charro. Charros take extreme pride in their highly developed horsemanship and roping abilities.
Sisters gets Western
Not all of the action at Sisters Rodeo takes place in the arena. The Saturday Rodeo Parade on June 10, starting at 9:30 a.m. in downtown Sisters, will be led by Queen Sadie Bateman.
"She's quite a cowgirl," said Moss. "She's not just a queen - she can rope and ride, too."
Queen Sadie will be joined by Grand Marshal Gary Frazee.
Things will get Western at Sisters' watering holes, as Hardtails Bar & Grill welcomes the Outlaw Country of Sleepless Truckers.
"We have the Sleepless Truckers Band playing all three nights this year," said Hardtails owner Steve Macey.
The band describes themselves this way:
"With a sound that combines the grit of Americana, the swagger of Southern Rock, and the raw power of Red Dirt, these boys are sure to take you on a wild ride through the back roads of America. They'll sing you songs of heartache, of struggle, of triumph and defeat, all with a fire and passion that'll leave you breathless."
There will be a beer wagon, cash-only shot bar and beer garden outside, and the Crown Royal Girls will be there all three nights passing out swag and free samples.
The party starts with locals' night on Thursday June 8. Music starts at 8 p.m. On Friday and Saturday night the music starts at 9:30 p.m., or when the Rodeo lets out.
Sisters Saloon will bring back its traditional After Rodeo Party. On Wednesday night, local favorite Dry Canyon Stampede will play, starting at 8:30 p.m. with no cover charge. The Joe Slick Band returns Thursday-Saturday. Thursday is locals' night, with locals getting in free and music starting at
8 p.m.
Music starts at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night.
The Joe Slick Band delivers a high-energy, entertaining show featuring Top 40 Country with some rock mixed in.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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