Baker City’s Jesse Brown repeated as all-around champion in steer wrestling at the 2021 Chief Joseph Days rodeo with a combined time of 10.1 seconds on two steers. He also had the fastest time of the 2021 rodeo at 4.2 seconds.

JOSEPH — Ticket sales are hot for the four nights of pro rodeo action at the 2022 Chief Joseph Days Rodeo July 27-30 at Harley Tucker Arena, 405 W. Wallowa Ave.

Terry Jones, Chief Joseph Days Rodeo president, said the rodeo court’s ticket sales set a record for highest dollar amount — as of the queen’s coronation April 16 the court members had sold $122,000. Despite a slight increase in ticket prices, sales at the rodeo office in Joseph have been brisk as well.

“Reserved tickets for Friday and Saturday night are almost sold out, but general admission tickets are still available,” Jones said.

Fans won’t be disappointed as the rodeo is working to bring in the best talent — both top and up-and-coming cowboys and cowgirls in the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

Competing for participants against Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming, has always been tricky, livestock consultant John Growney said, but competition among other rodeos the last weekend of July is getting fierce.

A former rodeo stock contractor turned consultant, Growney said he is bringing in some of the best broncs and bulls available from a pool of four stock providers to Chief Joseph Days.

“I know all the cowboys and the best parts of the contractor’s herds and bring them to Joseph,” Growney said. “It raised the bar on the quality of the livestock.”

Brand new to Chief Joseph Days this year is break-away roping. Jones said they have 10 slots a night for the women’s roping competition and he expects to fill them.

“Break-away roping is becoming more and more popular at rodeos and is giving women who competed as college athletes an opportunity to compete as professionals,” Growney said.

Weekday events

As the fans assemble in Joseph, the rodeo’s first crowd-pleaser event is the “Bucking Horse Stampede,” the running of the bucking horses down Main Street on Tuesday, July 26 at 1 p.m. Get downtown early to find a spot to watch one of the fastest parades in the West.

Wednesday morning the Chief Joseph Days Little Buckaroo Rodeo for special needs children and adults is from 9 a.m. to noon at the Harley Tucker Arena. The event is open to the public and free of charge.

Pro rodeo action begins with Family Night on Wednesday, with bucking horses kicking off the performance. Directly following the rodeo, families are invited to the Thunder Room for a dance.

Both Wednesday and Thursday nights feature the ultimate entry into rodeo competition — mutton busting, where kids ride sheep like runaway broncs. Prizes for top finishers are awarded both nights.

On Thursday morning Miles for Mammograms, a fun walk to raise money for local cancer screenings, starts at 9 a.m. at the Thunder Room. All entry fees go to Wallowa Memorial Hospital for mammogram screening and/or to purchase related medical equipment. Dogs are welcome to join the walk for an additional fee that will be donated to the Wallowa County Humane Society.

Thursday night’s rodeo performance celebrates Tough Enough to Wear Pink, when rodeo fans and contestants wear pink to support breast cancer awareness. The Thunder Room will be open for adults 21 and over after the rodeo.

Friday

Friday morning at 10 a.m. the Junior Parade makes its way down Joseph’s Main Street starting at the south end of Joseph. The Friday night rodeo celebrates Western Heritage, featuring the custom and culture of Wallowa County.

Saturday

The Grand Parade begins Saturday at 10 a.m. on Joseph’s Main Street. Nez Perce tribal members in full regalia, the Chief Joseph Days historic stagecoach, rodeo courts from around the region and dozens of local entries make this one of the highlights of the weekend. Get a spot early to get the best view.

The Chief Joseph Days friendship feast and ceremonial dancing and drumming are at the encampment next to the rodeo grounds. All are welcome to join the feast beginning at noon and are encouraged to bring a potluck dish. Dancing and drumming will continue throughout the afternoon.

The final performance is Saturday night with a special presentation honoring America’s military veterans. Following both Friday and Saturday night performances a teen dance will be held at the Joseph Community Center and the Thunder Room will be open for adults 21 and over. Dance the night away with the “Whiskey Creek” band from Walla Walla.

If the night performances don’t provide enough rodeo entertainment, slack rodeo is at 2 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday afternoons where fans can drink a cold beverage in the shade and watch timed events outside the hustle of the main events.

Camping

Camping at the rodeo grounds is $20 a night and a drop box is on site for those looking for a place to stay during the week.

For more information on all of the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo events and amenities, visit www.chiefjosephdays.com.