Children from Eastern Oregon will fill the Round-Up Arena on today for the InterMountain Education Service District’s (IMESD) Annual Children’s Rodeo.
This annual event, celebrating 34 years, provides children with special needs ages 5 through 10 the opportunity to be cowboys and cowgirls inside the famous Round-Up Arena. About 40 children from around the region are expected to be rodeo “contestants” this year. Students from school districts in Baker, Morrow, Umatilla and Union counties are eligible to participate.
Spectators are welcome at the Children’s Rodeo and admission is free, but people will need to pay for tickets to the regular Round-Up Rodeo later in the afternoon.
Children will enjoy 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.
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.
For more information about the Children’s Rodeo, call Parker, 541-966-3177 or karen.parker@imesd.k12.or.us.
