What began in 1910 as a post-harvest, late-September celebration quickly grew into one of the largest PRCA rodeos of the year, earning PRCA’s Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year honors 12 times and welcoming fans and contestants from across the globe.
The close-knit community of Pendleton, Oregon, originated as a stopping point on the Oregon Trail during the mid-1800s and also claims original homage to the Umatilla, Cayuse, and Walla Walla Native American tribes. In a beautiful crossroads of cultures, the town was established on the premise of a cowboy’s spirit and kindred affection for the Wild West. Just two years after establishing the city, local attorney Roy Raley decided to host “a frontier exhibition of picturesque pastimes, Indian and military spectacles, cowboy racing, and bronco busting for the championship of the Northwest,” which quickly grew into one of the most recognizable rodeos.
In 1910, even the inaugural board members were awestruck by the unprecedented attraction the Pendleton Round-Up would bring. So much so that during the inaugural event, volunteers built more grandstands in the middle of the night to accommodate the surplus crowd of more than 7,000 attendees.
If you ask locals, “There are two seasons in Pendleton: Before and after Round-Up.”
Today, Round-Up week doesn’t look much different. Local volunteers from all walks of life band together to welcome over 50,000 fans to the historic town. The cultural significance of the Pendleton Round-Up is undeniable, matched by its large impact on the town of nearly 17,000 permanent residents. In recent years, the Pendleton Round-Up generated annual revenue of nearly a million dollars, excluding additional revenue generated by hotels, restaurants, bars, or shops.
Whether you’re a rodeo fan traveling to the small Northwest town to experience the world-famous “Let ’er Buck” room, or a world-class professional rodeo athlete in pursuit of a coveted champion title, the Pendleton Round-Up is a unique intersection of Wild West history and modern entertainment on full display.