Community members of Pendleton Oregon organized the first Pendleton Round-Up in September 1910. Operated by a non-profit organization, originally called the Northwest Frontier Exhibition Organization, the Pendleton Round-Up has always relied on the support of the townspeople and area ranchers. It remains an essential stop for cowboys and rodeo enthusiasts worldwide.
Traditions live on throughout the four-day event which is held every September. The Round-Up Arena has been in the same location since the beginning and although physical improvements have been made, the esthetics remain the same. The week begins with the Dress Up Parade on the Saturday before the rodeo itself. The Westward Ho non-motorized parade is on Friday and the beloved Happy Canyon Indian Pageant and Wild West Show is a must-see, it dates back to 1916. The Let'r Buck Room is one of many lively spots cowboys and fans mingle.
Some 500 volunteers assist in putting on the annual event. Ranked among the nation’s top ten rodeos the round-up is #2 in per-day prize money awarded. Each September, the four-day Round-Up attracts more than 55,000 visitors to Pendleton, population 14,000. The economic impact on the area’s economy is estimated to be over $5 million.