TEN
THINGS
YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
ROUND-UP
HISTORY
1910 — In July, the Northwestern Frontier
Association is formed as the organization behind the in-
augural Pendleton Round-Up, held two months later.
The Round-Up draws 7,000 spectators. Roy Raley is
elected the first president of the Round-Up.
1916 — The first official Happy Canyon Night Show
is performed near Southwest Third Street and Emigrant
Avenue. The show began as the Wild West Show, running
on Main Street and Frazer in 1914 and ’15.
1919 — A bronc saddle is designed to standardize
bronc riding. They were first called Committee Saddles
and later Association Saddles, or just plain bronc
saddles. Very little modification has been made to what
is still used today.
®
1942-43 — World War II forces the cancellation of
the Round-Up.
1945 — The Pendleton Round-Up welcomes home
veterans of World War II. Jitterbug contests are staged
following Monday’s Happy Canyon Night Show, with
Bill Perry and Donna Trout, both of Pendleton, taking
first place.
1957 — The Round-Up receives its first taste of
national exposure when CBS televises the September 14
show live for one hour.
1969 — The Round-Up Hall of Fame is established.
1993 — Rodeo photographer Floyd “Bus” Howdyshell
enters the Hall of Fame; Ron Currin earns all-around
honors and the Mike Currin Memorial Award trophy
saddle (named for his brother, who died in a plane crash
on Mt. Rainier in 1990) is given to the
Columbia River Circuit timed-events cowboy taking
home the biggest paycheck from Round-Up.
2005 — Eight samurai warriors from Pendleton’s
sister city, Haramachi City, Japan, participate in the
Westward Ho! Parade, wearing formal Japanese dress.
2006 — The Hall of Fame moves from under the south
grandstand to the corner of Southeast 12th Street and
Court Avenue. Happy Canyon celebrates its 90th
anniversary.
2010 — Centennial Plaza and new west grandstands
are ready for the Centennial Round-Up.
All information taken from the East Oregonian files and
author Rebeca Waggoner, who is writing a book on the
Happy Canyon Show’s history.
See page 66 for more Round-Up History.
PENDLETON ROUND-UP • EAST OREGONIAN • SEPTEMBER 2015 • 7