Pendleton Round-Up - 101 Years and Still Buck'n!

Thursday, September 15 - After school, Brooke and I drove over to meet Brinda at Safeway for the last time this year. Not only was it the last rodeo of the year, but it was my first time at Pendleton Round-Up. We packed our bags for the weekend, settled into our cushy retro seats, and headed off for Pendleton. Kathy and Mike Warner, devoted directors of our rodeo, kindly loaned us the use of their house in Athena. Round-Up week correlates to no vacancy in all hotels/motels/bed&breakfasts in Pendleton, so having a house twenty minutes away from the bustle was great. After we got settled in, we departed for the Happy Canyon Indian Pageant and Wild West Show. Depicting both the life of the Native Americans and the settlers, this show was a great way to understand the history of the West in an entertaining fashion. The AFS chapter brought exchange students from the region including five from Enterprise High School. We were lucky enough to catch up with them, and I think the excitement was mutual as many of the students took their pictures with Brooke and I (some of them thought we were the Pendleton girls). After the show, we went out to get a bite to eat before heading down to Main Street to see what all the hubbub was about. Although we didn't dance, we got a taste of the "Let 'Er Buck" experience while watching the mechanical bull. Pendleton whisky, girls that are a little tipsy, 'nuff said. The night was still going strong when we left, but it was time to curl hair and rest up before the big day ahead.

Friday, September 16 - After a shorter than preferred night of sleep, I woke up transformed my slumberous appearance into that of a Rodeo Queen. Makeup? Check. Hair? Check. Hairspray? Check. More hairspray? Check. Suede outfits? Check. More hairspray? Check.

When we made it to the trailer, we mounted and rode our horses over the bridge and into downtown Pendleton. The directors and the stage coach were patiently waiting. And of course we were in a hurry to wait. After at least an hour, the parade finally started - signified by the burst of a cannon. The parade was the longest, most attended one yet: winding throughout Pendleton in front of huge crowds yelling "Let 'Er Buck!" For those of us on horses, we didn't exactly want to "Let 'Er Buck" at that exact moment, but we appreciated the enthusiasm and applause. Chief Joseph Days is really popular amongst the Pendleton fans - making it easy to jaunt through our last parade with zeal and swagger.

After the parade, we moseyed through the huge crowds to the Convention Center where the Queen's Luncheon was held. Unfortunately, the Round-Up Court left right after their introductions to get ready, but the food was great and it was nice to attend a luncheon that spared us from hearing each court's introductions for the 292840384 time.

A rodeo means huge crowds, huge crowds mean tons of vendors, tons of vendors mean lots of shopping (or at least window shopping). Brooke laughed about the fact that she has bought something at every rodeo this year. I can't say the same, but I have bought a couple of things throughout the year. Nonetheless, it is still fun to look. Especially when you have nothing better to do while you are waiting for the rodeo to start. Being at Pendleton for my last rodeo of the year prompted me to buy a tee-shirt: "101 Years and Still Buck'n."

The rodeo was a blast. Round-Up epitomizes the wild west: a perfect balance of chaotic, loosely-structured entertainment through Indian races, open-field broncs and bulls, and Native American ceremonies. The Grand Entry is a Rodeo Queen's dream. The court jumped the fence into the grassy field, hopped the second fence, galloped towards the track before bolting two enormous laps as the crowd roared in excitement. Pendleton's rodeo court traditions have deep roots; Round-Up was the first rodeo to have a Rodeo Queen, starting a trend that lives on today.

When all is said and done, this year has been unforgettable. I am thrilled to pass the reign over to next year's court, but there is not one day I will regret my choice to try-out on that wonderful September day that started everything last year. The experiences and adventures are once in a lifetime, and I can definitely say from the bottom of my heart that I will miss my year as the Chief Joseph Days Queen.

Lewiston Round-up!

            Another early morning removing my sponge rollers and doing my makeup led to another rodeo – Lewiston Round-up on September 10^th. As we drove past Asotin, I was taken back to my memory of our first rodeo in April. We had come full circle. I can still remember the nervous excitement I felt on the morning of the Asotin Rodeo. Once again, I was representing in the same neck of the woods with a couple more rodeos under my belt, but touched with the undeniable nervous excitement nevertheless.

            The parade spectators at Lewiston were some of the most interactive, cheerful people we have seen thus far. It is always more suitable to get a response to my “Good morning!” or “How’s it going?” greetings rather than blank stares and awkward silences. Children crowded the streets with their grins and bags of candy. Occasional groups and families cheered and hollered when they recognized our signature suede outfits and Chief Joseph Days breast-collars. It’s always nice to hear enthusiasm for your hometown rodeo.

            For the past few years, our court only appeared at the parade. This year the directors and Brinda, our chaperone, decided to allow us an appearance in the Grand Entry. Although we had to wait another six or so hours until the rodeo, it meant another craved run-in. After the court luncheon, they explained the Grand Entry process. Apparently the courts were called in twice for run-ins: once at the beginning of the rodeo and once after the bareback riding. When it was finally rodeo time (7:29 because that’s evidently how they do everything at Lewiston), we lined up for the first Grand Entry. The arena was small, and it was the first time we were asked to run-in on the right lead (waving with our left hand). We’re always up for a challenge, and did quite well for a backwards run-in. Once we were called up for the second run-in, one of the girls took a fall in the corner. Before letting the rest of us in, they warned us to be careful and check up our horses. Well there gets to a certain point where your horse decides running fast is the only option – none of this slow nonsense. As Buddy charged into the corner, I did my best to check him up. He powered on, and I decided to trust his confidence. We are both veterans now. Bolting past the last stretch of grandstands for the last time this year – I have truly come full circle. 

Walla Walla Frontier Days

           With school starting, the days getting longer, and the rodeo season nearing an end, it was difficult to get back in the routine after almost a month since our rodeo. Brooke and I rallied early on third of September to hit the road for Walla Walla Frontier Days.

            After finding our parents who were busily grooming our mounts – Andy and Buddy – we relaxed and waited for the parade to start. Walla Walla was packed with horses, floats, and people. Once the line progressed onto Main Street, I entered “parade mode:” waving and greeting nearly every spectator and answering the occasional question regarding how to pronounce my name. In hindsight, maybe they should have put another nameplate on my serape with “Silje” spelled phonetically. I’m going to venture to say this year will be the first and last year Chief Joseph Days will have someone named “Silje” on their court. It will make life easier for the announcer, that’s for sure.

            After the court luncheon that follows the parade, we decided to hit the town. The rodeo didn’t start till 7:00, so we had around five hours to kill after the court luncheon. My Grandparents from Norway came with us to Walla Walla, so I was able to spend some time with them before the rodeo started.

            When it was time to mount our horses and warm up, finality hit me. This was to be our last run-in of the year. As I loped along the track that encircles the rodeo arena, it was strange to think the next two rodeos would just be parades. But Walla Walla was the perfect place to do our last run-in: the track provided a straight-shot sprint past the roaring crowd. And what a surreal feeling it was. When Buddy lowered himself to the ground and flattened his ears into a dead run, it was all I could do to stop him from circling the entire track. What a great way to wrap up the year.