Jamie Lopez rides Cosmic Tripster through the finish line on the second race of the day on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at the 2021 Eastern Oregon Livestock Show. 

UNION — Get ready for a full week at the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show, June 5-12.

EOLS President Dave Billings of Island City said he is anticipating a good turnout after the past two pandemic years. This is his third year as president, and in his first year (2020) there was a shutdown of the show. The following year, 2021, had limited attendance due to state guidelines, so this year is the first time during his tenure that the EOLS will be up and running with a full schedule of popular events and a few new ones.

“This is going to be larger than the county fair,” he said. “One change this year is that there won’t be a carnival at all. The carnival company decided they didn’t have enough people to run both the west side and the east side of the state, so they are going to concentrate on the west side of the state this year. They won’t have any carnivals running on the east side of the state for any events.”

However, one of the main features for the kids at EOLS is the Saturday auction of 4-H and FFA livestock. Billings said that the auction starts at 8 a.m. and usually the rodeo is halfway over before it’s done.

“That auction generally will run in the half million dollar mark for one day for the kids,” he said. “We don’t take a cut or percentage of the auction proceeds. All of it passes right over to the 4-H and FFA kids.”

If anyone is hungry while there, remember that breakfast is available to purchase Thursday through Sunday, and during the rest of the day concessions will be open, selling food, sodas and beer.

“There is parking in and around the grounds for people going to the show. Camping for people who brought animals is there, but it is limited to whatever room we have available, and we typically do run out of room,” Billings said.

To buy tickets for the rodeo events, go to easternoregonlivestockshow.com/tickets and purchase through any one of the three royalty court princesses, whose phone numbers are listed there. Prices are $18 for adults online ($20 at gate) and $13 for ages 6-12 online ($15 at gate). Children 5 and younger are free.

There’s no charge to explore the barns and stables, meet some animals or take in any of the many FFA and 4-H events throughout the week.

The public is invited to come out and enjoy the oldest rodeo and livestock show in Northeastern Oregon.

“Almost everything is back to normal,” Billings said.

For details on the 4-H and FFA activities throughout the week — including showmanship competitions, dog and small animal shows, livestock judging and EOLS Royalty Court events — check out the full schedule at easternoregonlivestockshow.com/schedule.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Thursday, June 9

6 a.m.: Cowboy breakfast

6:30 p.m.: Ed Miller Xtreme Bulls

After: Beer garden open under the grandstands

Friday, June 10

6 a.m.: Cowboy breakfast

2 p.m.: Main Street Parade in Union with Grand Marshal John Coote

4 p.m.: PRCA Rodeo and Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing

After: Dance with live music by Wanderlost and Ava Rowland, plus food, drinks and social gaming, at EOLS Clubhouse ($5 admission, age 21+)

Saturday, June 11

6 a.m.: Cowboy breakfast

8 a.m.: 4-H and FFA livestock auction

2 p.m.: PRCA Rodeo and Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing

After: Dance with live music by Wanderlost and Ava Rowland, plus food, drinks and social gaming, at EOLS Clubhouse ($5 admission, age 21+)

Sunday, June 12

8 a.m.: Cowboy Church free breakfast

10 a.m.: Stockshow Cowboy Church featuring Riding High Ministries

1:30 p.m.: PRCA Rodeo and Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing