The Happy Canyon Indian Pageant is preparing for its 100th anniversary in 2016, and this week unveiled a special centennial logo that will help mark the historical celebration.
In 2013, the Oregon Legislature declared Happy Canyon the state’s official outdoor pageant and Wild West show.
The Happy Canyon Pageant is a show depicting the settling of the American West, beginning with a portrayal of the Native American way of life prior to the arrival of the white man, continuing with the arrival of Lewis and Clark, followed by the prairie schooners of the pioneers of the Oregon Trail and concluding with a reenactment of a frontier town’s rollicking main street mishaps.
The commemorative logo is from a 1936 Happy Canyon program. The logo will be seen on bumper stickers, calendars, posters, and a limited edition Pendleton blanket. In addition, Happy Canyon will release a limited edition bronze and rifle in honor of the celebration.
“The centennial celebration of Happy Canyon is an historical event that our Board of Directors, volunteers and community are honored to pay tribute to,” said Happy Canyon Director Tanner Hawkins, chair of the 100th anniversary committee. “This show is so unique, not only in its depiction of how our land and its people came to be, but also in that Happy Canyon has a long tradition of showcasing multiple generations of families in the show. You can’t see something like that anywhere except in Pendleton.”
The logo’s underlying image was first seen as a stock image in the East Oregonian before the Pendleton Round‐Up even began in 1910, though its exact origin is unknown. Though the Pendleton Round‐Up’s slogan, “Let’er Buck”, has widespread notoriety, few know that Happy Canyon also has its own tagline: “On With the Show.”
Happy Canyon will spread its celebration out over the course of a year as it builds up to the September 2016 event. The 100th anniversary committee has plans for several special events, including opening Goldie’s Bar in the Pendleton Convention Center on New Year’s Eve. Goldie’s Bar is traditionally only open following each night’s Happy Canyon show in September.
Bumper stickers, calendars and posters are now available in the Round‐Up and Happy Canyon Gift Shop, 1205 SW Court Ave. in Pendleton, and posters and calendars will be available soon. Pre‐orders for the limited edition Pendleton blanket can be reserved at the store as well.
