The InterMountain Education Service District’s (IMESD) Children’s Rodeo will occur on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 10:30 a.m. in the Round-Up Grounds.
This annual event, celebrating 33 years, provides children with special needs ages 5 through 10 years the opportunity to be cowboys and cowgirls inside the famous Round-Up Arena. About 50 children from around the region are expected to be rodeo “contestants” this year.
Children participate in various activities that include riding horses, barrel racing on stick ponies, riding a pretend bull, Native American drumming and more. Participants will also be able to enjoy the theme of the day, Tough Enough to Wear Pink. Each participant receives a T-shirt, cowboy hat, lariat, scarf, trophy and a photo with their cowboy volunteer.
Dozens of volunteers, including PRCA and local cowboys and cowgirls, IMESD volunteers, Round-Up volunteers and community members work to make the Children’s Rodeo a success each year.
“We are so fortunate to have great support from the Round-Up, local businesses and all of our volunteers to provide such a valuable experience for these kids,” said Children’s Rodeo Director Karen Parker. This is the 30th year that Parker has been the director of the event.
The Children’s Rodeo is sponsored by the Pendleton Round-Up Association and the IMESD. Other contributors are the Let ‘er Buck Room, Pendleton Rotary, Swire Coca Cola, and Walmart
