An Oregon 4th of July
Backyard barbecues and fireworks in the street out front are time-honored ways to celebrate the 4th of July in Oregon.
If you’ve got access to a swimming pool, too, so much the better.
I grew up celebrating Independence Day this way, with family and friends, and we always had a blast. I’d spend half the day in the pool, the other half eating and the night trying to stay awake to watch the fireworks.
This year, my wife and I decided to do something different for the 4th of July, so we’re going to check out the Eugene Pro Rodeo at the Oregon Horse Center. The rodeo runs from July 1-4, and on the 4th, gates open at 4 p.m., with motorcycle jumping at 6 p.m. and the bull riding competition set to start at 7:30 p.m. The other events will have wrapped up on Saturday night, but I’m fine with just watching the bull riders.
After the event’s over, the rodeo puts on a fireworks show, followed by a dance. You can buy tickets at the gate for $20 for reserved seats, $16 for adult general admission or $10 for kids (ages 6-12) general admission. Kids under age 6 get in free. Save a few bucks on tickets by purchasing them in advance at an area Bi-Mart store.
Eugene Pro Rodeo
Oregon Horse Center
90751 Prairie Road
Eugene, OR 97402
541-689-9700
eugeneprorodeo.com
The Eugene Pro Rodeo is hardly the only rodeo in Oregon on the 4th of July, though. Contact information on some of the smaller rodeos is difficult to come by, but I’ve listed the information I have. And be sure to leave a comment below with your favorite Oregon 4th of July activity.
St. Paul Rodeo: The famous rodeo in St. Paul, Oregon, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, with a purse of nearly half a million dollars. The rodeo runs June 30 through July 4, with a full day of celebration scheduled for the 4th, starting at 10 a.m. with a parade through town. The carnival opens at 11 a.m., and the Western Showcase βΒ which has vendors selling everything from western art to rodeo souvenirs β runs from 11:30 a.m. to midnight. Rodeo events begin at 1:30 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m., with a fireworks show set to begin just after sundown.
St. Paul Rodeo Arena
20025 4th St.
St. Paul, OR 97137
503-633-2011
stpaulrodeo.com
La Pine Rodeo: Set for July 3 and 4, the La Pine Rodeo kicks off at 1 p.m. both days with “mutton busting,” followed by rodeo events at 1:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors and children ages 6-12; children under 6 get in free. A July 4 “family pack” is also available at $20 for two adults and two children.
La Pine Rodeo Arena
3rd and Walker St.
La Pine, OR 97739
541-536-7500
lapinerodeo.com
Vale Rodeo: The Vale Rodeo runs from July 1 through July 4 at the Vale Rodeo Arena, located near the eastern border of Oregon, about 87 miles south of Baker City. The Vale Rodeo is popular for its “Suicide Race,” in which contestants barrel down a butte on horseback, swim their horses across the Malheur River and charge into the rodeo arena. This year’s “Suicide Race” winner receives $2,500.
Vale Rodeo Arena
515 Longfellow St. S.
Vale, OR 97918
541-473-3800
valechamber.com
Yoncalla Rodeo: This rodeo runs July 3 and 4 in Yoncalla, which is about 45 miles south of Eugene. The city typically puts on a parade in the morning, with the rodeo beginning in the early afternoon and a fireworks show kicking off at dusk.
Yoncalla Rodeo
8929 Rice Valley Road
Yoncalla, Oregon 97499
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