There are few professional rodeos as iconic as the Pendleton Round-Up. The history, the culture, the traditions, and the grass! Yes, you read that right. If you’re not familiar with the Round-Up, it’s no ordinary rodeo – instead of competing on dirt, contestants battle it out on grass. It doesn’t get the nickname “The Green Mile” for no reason! This year’s event is just a few short weeks away, September 10-13, in the heart of Pendleton, Oregon, and is one rodeo you’ll want to put on your bucket list!
September 10-13, 2025
Pendleton Round-Up Stadium
1330 SW Court Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801
A History-Making Rodeo
The first Pendleton Round-Up was to be “a frontier exhibition of picturesque pastimes, Indian and military spectacles, cowboy racing and bronco busting for the championship of the Northwest.” It turned out to be that and so much more! Following a July 4th celebration in 1909, some community and area leaders conceived the idea of an annual event to be known as the Pendleton Round-Up. At that time, the iconic Let’er Buck slogan, which is symbolic of the Round-Up, was also inspired!
It was decided to stage the Round-Up some time around the middle of September to allow the grain farmers time to complete their harvest, and the livestock people an opportunity to make a late summer check-up. For the initial event in 1910, all stores closed and 7,000 people showed up to enjoy the thrilling show. A newspaper writer reported, “The words ‘Pendleton’ and Round-Up’ are on the lips of thousands and will continue to be for months and years to come… The Round-Up is a whirlwind success.”
And grow it did! Within a few years, the old wooden grandstand and bleachers were completed – capable of seating over 20,000 spectators. In 1957, a new North grandstand and bucking chutes were added to the arena, and the highly-attended event was televised for the first time.
Throughout its 100-year history, the Native American participation, strong volunteerism, and community support have made this one of the largest and most beloved rodeos on the continent. It has grown into a week-long celebration of western heritage that includes parades, concerts, a night pageant, and more, thrilling tens of thousands of cowboys and cowgirls (and those who want to be!) every year.
I absolutely love watching the Round-Up each year – and getting to learn more about the event’s history is an added bonus!
Keeping Traditions Alive
The Pendleton Round-Up has always had a strong Native American presence and continues to promote the culture in performances with Native Dancing between the bull riding sections and with the amazing Tipi Village, there is also a Tribal Market in the park.
Native Americans have been an integral component of the Pendleton Round-Up since its inception. Members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation – the Umatilla, Cayuse, and Walla Walla Indians who live eight miles east of Pendleton – host a grand tribal village that annually includes more than 300 teepees. Indians from around the Northwest travel to Pendleton where they gather in the village to visit with friends and relatives, take part in the Happy Canyon Pageant and dance in the arena during rodeo matinees.
Additionally, the Round-Up serves as the forum for two Indian beauty contests – the American Indian Beauty Contest, which is held Friday morning prior to the Westward Ho! parade on Main Street in Pendleton, and the Junior Indian Beauty Contest, held Thursday morning at the Roy Raley Park adjacent to the Round-Up grounds. Another key event during the week is a Round-Up Pow Wow dance competition, which occurs at 9 am on Saturday in the Round-Up arena.
Not to be missed are the Indian Vendors who assemble in Roy Raley Park for Round-Up week to display and sell a wide variety of Native American Arts and Craft items, including beautiful silver jewelry and Indian beadwork.
115th Annual Pendleton Round-Up
The historic event kicks off with the Dress-Up Parade and Kick-Off Concert held the Saturday before opening day, September 6th. This year’s concert in the Happy Canyon Arena will feature co-headliners Tracy Lawrence and Rodney Atkins.
Starting September 10th, the Happy Canyon Night Show will bring families and friends together to witness a celebration of local history. This year marks the 109th year the Happy Canyon Night Show has been produced in conjunction with the Pendleton Round-Up. Another unique aspect of the Round-Up is the largest annual Indian encampment in North America, a village of more than 300 teepees.
Not only is the Pendleton Round-Up one of the most prestigious PRCA pro rodeos, but the event is home to the Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale as well, which will be held in the Happy Canyon Arena at 8:00 p.m. on September 8th and 9th.
There is no doubt history will continue to be made at the 2025 Pendleton Round-Up! I, for one, can’t wait to see what legends are crowned. We hope you can join us out in Oregon for this iconic event!
Last Updated on 08/05/2025 by Carly Billington
About the Author:
CLN Community & Event Sponsor
