Farm-City Pro Rodeo returns August 7-10

Farm-City Pro Rodeo held its first professional rodeo in 1988 at $1,000-per event. This year, that figure will leap to $25,000 per event.

Held at the Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center, located at 1705 E. Airport Road in Hermiston, the rodeo will run August 7-10.

“Most of our sponsors all come from this community,” said founder and current board member David Bothum. “This is probably the fifth or sixth rodeo in the new facility and the people that have given or volunteered and financially helped with this are amazing.”

Cowboys and cowgirls compete for points to earn a trip to National Finals Rodeo, held every December in Las Vegas. FCPR draws talent both locally and around the nation, be it riders, timers, secretaries, specialty-act performers, bullfighters, pickup men and more.

At the rodeo, it doesn’t matter your age, background or abilities. It’s about taking in an unforgettable experience. Attendees can catch the action close-up via two big screens plus the instant replay. For those not able to attend in person, the event will be televised on the Cowboy Channel.

“We will have a spot for one camera at ground level — a whole different perspective,” he added.

Announcers will be Steve Kenyon and Garrett Yerigan.

There will be high-quality video boards on each side of the chutes, which are bigger and better than ones in prior years.

The Barrier bar serves up frozen whiskey drinks out at the grand stands, plus there’s a new bar called the Back Gate.

Bothum said expanding concession stand offerings was an important change to this year’s rodeo.

“We haven’t had as many as we needed. This year, we will have more, so hopefully nobody is going to have to wait in line for food,” he noted.

Adults are sure to enjoy a stop at Chute Eight, the Northwest’s Premier Rodeo Dance Club, following the evening rodeo performances.

Bothum is a former saddle bronc rider along with Butch Knowles. They founded the FCPR alongside their wives Cyd and Mary.

“We always believed the rodeo was for cowboys, by cowboys,” Bothum said.

He pointed out that rodeo participants and fans boost the local economy.

“They get their trailers worked on, tires, oil changes, dinners, lodging,” he added. “The rodeo has really helped put Hermiston on the map. Dalton Massey is from here too.”

Bothum attributes the growth of the rodeo through the decades to the talent it draws, as well as dedicated volunteers.

“Our idea is we want to make it bigger and better. We don’t want to take our foot off the gas and plateau,” he said. “There’s nothing better than on Saturday night, in the grandstand, seeing it full and having everybody smiling and having fun and enjoying themselves — putting on a good show and them getting to see world champions in their town in different sporting events.”

Tickets are $17 for general and handicapped seating, $5 for children and reserved seating is $20. FCPR and the box office may be reached at: 541-564-8500 and farmcityprorodeo@yahoo.com.

To learn more, visit: www.farmcityprorodeo.com