The Santiam Canyon Stampede provides thrills and spills with professional rodeo action on July 22-23, presented by Freres Lumber at the Sublimity Harvest Festival Grounds.
“We here at the Stampede can’t wait to see you all again!” said Corky Justis, SCS director of promotions for the 24th annual event. “We are very excited to be back to rodeo action.”
Justis said organizers found it “tough being forced to take time off” after COVID, wildfires and other show-stopping events.
“It did give us time to look back and remember all the great memories and hard work it took to build the Stampede, and all the fun times and the ability to give back to the community,” she said. “We let it fuel us and give us hope to look to the future.”
Justis credits the encouragement received from sponsors, fans and community members for the drive to “get back to the Stampede as soon as we could.”
Friday’s performance is dedicated to Diabetes Awareness.
“It holds special meaning to our Queen Bailey Pedersen and a number of our board members,” Justis said. “We invite you all to wear your blue, in support. Diabetes blue is royal and sometime light blue.
“And we will be honoring our community on Saturday night,” she added. “Rodeo-goers are encouraged to wear their favorite red, white and blue!” Saturday is also military night.
The 13th annual Volunteer Firefighters Cowboy Breakfast will be held each morning, 7 to noon Saturday, 5:45 to 6:45 Sunday at the Sublimity Fire Station. Firefighters serve pancakes, ham, eggs, orange juice, milk and coffee at the main station. Proceeds benefit the fire department. Cost is $8 adults, $5 seniors and children 4 to 12. Children 3 and under are free.
Activities on both Friday and Saturday nights kick off with the Stampede Pre Funk in the Entertainment Tent at 5:45-6:45 p.m. with games, music and prizes. The official Stampede After Party features the Dusty Rhodes Band in the tent for ages 21 and over. Hailing from Nashville, Brit Stokes is on entertainment lineup.
Thanks to Sublimity Insurance, the Kids Corral will be free on Friday night, with games, inflatables, a pedal tractor, pony rides, photo opportunities and giveaways. Community favorites such as Mutton, Pee Wee and Jr barrel racing, and the donkey races require pre-registering, Justis said.
“That can be done at our website the first part of July,” she said. “Each form will have the required ages of contestants! The ages do matter, so please check them. These events fill quickly so watch for your event and be ready to get signed up!”
Details can be found on the SCSR Facebook page, or at www.scsrodeo.com.
The Grand Entry starts at 7 p.m., followed with NPRA Rodeo action, including bulls, broncos, calf-roping and more.
Tickets per day are adults $15.50 in advance and $19 at the gate, children 6-12 $10.50 in advance and $13 at the gate, children 5 and under free. Tickets are available at Double H Western Wear, Salem; Riverview Bank, Aumsville; Wilco Farm Stores and on the Stampede website.
