All things considered, the organizers say they are starting to feel really positive about this year’s rodeo as plans move forward.
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| 2020-2021 CJD Honor Queens, L to R: Destiny Wecks, Casidee Harrod, and Brianna Micka |
The 75th Chief Joseph Rodeo is on for the last full week in July 2021. This is technically the rodeo's 76th year, but due to last year’s Covid-19 shut down, the 75th celebration will happen this year instead.
After checking with rodeos in other states, including Texas, North Dakota, and several in the Midwest, the organizers in Wallowa County made the unanimous decision to present the Chief Joseph Rodeo this summer, July 27 through Sunday, Aug. 1 at Harley Tucker Memorial Rodeo Grounds.
Harley
Tucker, whose name the arena bears, was a hardworking cowboy who founded the rodeo in
the late 40s, together with Ben and George Peal, Les Sannar,
Les Masterson and a whole lot of local support. It originally started on Pearl
Ranch land along the Wallowa Lake moraine, where the entire
community pitched in to dig post-holes to build an arena that Mr. Masterson described
as “more or less a rail fence with some chutes and little else,” not even an
access road. Mr. Tucker enthusiastically
supplied rodeo stock and otherwise supported the event until his death in April
1960.
Contractors who have
agreed to participate this year include livestock contractor Tim Bidwell, announcer Jody Carper, rodeo bullfighters
Nathan Harp and Chuck Swisher, and specialty act Magic in Motion EquineProductions with Madison MacDonald who was described as
“Wonder Woman of the Rodeo Arena” by Ebbie Hanson of Rocken Zen Rodeo.
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| Madison MacDonald of Magic in Motion Equine Productions |
The Covid cancellation of last year’s event was a disappointment but the generosity of rodeo fans helped the local organization prepare for this year’s season, according to CJD Rodeo Board President Terry Jones. Many ticket refunds were made but, “there were a lot of generous people who donated their 2020 ticket purchase to the rodeo rather than taking refunds,” he said. Also, many sponsors who had paid more than $15,000 in rodeo sponsorships last year, allowed the coordinating committee to keep the money, even though they were going through their own financial difficulties. “That’s appreciated more than anyone will know,” Mr. Jones said.
The schedule may need some adjustments to accommodate the ongoing “dynamic, fluid”
coronavirus stipulations, but organizers intend to adapt. The dance, and Back Country Bash, for
example, might have to take place outdoors. An unfortunate exception to holding
all the usual events might be the Nez Perce friendship gathering and feast, one
of the highlights everyone looks forward to, according to an article in the Wallowa County Chieftain.
The Nez Perce have been hit hard by the virus, so might opt out this year. The event ordinarily welcomes tribal participants from Lapwai, the Umatilla Reservation, and the Colville Reservation, where Chief Joseph is buried near Nespeelem. “Many of the people who participate in that feast are elders,” Mr. Jones said. “We don’t want to create a situation that would be bad for them, or anyone who attends.”
Rodeo Tickets
The Chief Joseph Days Rodeo “Feel the Thunder” gift store and headquarters are open Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri., and Sat., from 9 to 4, at 401 Main in Joseph, Oregon. Check chiefjosephdaysrodeo.com for tickets and more information.
Sources:
Wallowa County Chieftain: https://www.wallowa.com/
Ticket Sales: https://chiefjosephdaysrodeo.
Remembering Harley Tucker: https://www.wallowa.com/archives/remembering-harley-tucker-and-the-birth-of-chief-joseph-days/article_4405c113-358a-5c82-8506-51a59407c025.html
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