St. Paul’s Rodeo
Rodeo Committee • Inducted 2023
In 1935, eight local farmers and businessmen conceived the idea for the St. Paul Rodeo. The eight originators were Bill Smith, Ray Manegre, John McKillip, Carl Smith, Jim Gooding, Ralph Butts, Maurice Smith, and Ed Unger. It is safe to say that when the founding directors envisioned a rodeo at St. Paul’s City Park, they did not foresee establishing a premiere rodeo. That first event was staged on an old baseball diamond with an eighth-mile track, four bucking chutes and a roping chute. Fifty Oregon cowboys showed up for the first rodeo on July 4, 1936, and competed for the $500 purse.
There were bareback and steer riding events and roping competitions using the new chutes. Saddle broncs were blind-folded and “snubbed” to a 2,000+ pound draft horse in the arena. The competitor’s job was to saddle the bronc, mount, and ride. Local folks pitted their fastest teams and bravest drivers against each other in tumultuous hop buggy and chariot races. Trick riders and trick ropers provided additional colorful and exciting entertainment. Carnival booths with gambling drew crowds hoping to beat the odds.
In 1937, the custom of having “royalty” represent and promote the rodeo became part of local tradition. Virginia Ernst was St. Paul’s first queen; she served in 1937 & in 1938. During the 1940s, the rodeo acquired lights for the arena, covered bleachers, new chutes, and joined the Northwest Rodeo and International Rodeo Associations. In 1956, another section of covered grandstands was added to bring the seating capacity of 10,500. Small trees were used to line a track for horse races and remain a unique feature of the arena.
The St. Paul Rodeo Foundation was established in 1998 with the mission “To enhance and enrich the community by supporting education, local history and western heritage through the Annual St. Paul Rodeo.” Today, the St. Paul Rodeo remains a non-profit corporation with its main goal to produce the Nation’s Greatest 4th of July Rodeo. The Board of Directors continues to lead over 420 members who volunteer time, effort, and expertise to produce one of the 20 largest rodeos in North America.
Community pride produces clean, well-kept, well-painted surroundings for the cowboys, guests, and patrons. The St. Paul Rodeo is highly respected in the world of rodeo. In 1991, the PRCA cowboys gave the St. Paul Rodeo a plaque proclaiming it the finest rodeo in the Northwest.
