Rodeo Roared in With Thunder

The St. Paul Rodeo in its 71st year, is the nation's largest 4th of July Rodeo.

John Strauch and Marion County Commissioner Patti Milne in a Russian Ural motorcycle, complete with sidecar Photo courtesy: Nisha Strauch

(ST PAUL) - The sky was thick with the clouds of a summer thunderstorm Tuesday morning, and crashing thunder and lightning made getting lined up for the St Paul Rodeo parade interesting for participants, who wondered what it would mean if the rain began.

Just as the parade kicked off, in a wondrous Oregon moment, the clouds broke open and the sun shined through, casting light and color on the event and the entire day.

“This is the Nation’s biggest 4th of July rodeo and it takes the whole community to make this happen. Things went very well this year. We almost equaled last year’s attendance record, even though the weather was hot the first three days, so yesterday was rodeo weather,” commented Dave Wilson, spokesman for the St Paul Rodeo.

“Independence Day - The Cowboy Way" was the theme of the 2006 St Paul Rodeo. For 71 years, the St. Paul community has opened its heart and its doors to the world to join in a grand Independence Day celebration, and every year it seems there is more going on, even for the first time visitor.

The parade kicked off the 4th of July for thousands of people lining the streets of St Paul, Oregon, to view entries from all over the North Willamette Valley. “Three to four thousand people started off their day with the parade. It’s family day every year on the Fourth, so they start their celebration off early this way, and for a lot of families it’s an annual tradition.”

John Strauch of Salem rode his Russian-made Ural motorcycle complete with sidecar in the parade, with County Commissioner Patti Milne at his side. “We had a great time, I couldn’t believe how perfect it all turned out. Even the weather cooperated.” This is the first parade John had taken part of since his near-tragic motorcycle accident almost two years ago. “I’m glad to be here, thankful, in so many ways.”

Over a hundred and fifty entries took about 45 minutes to be released onto the parade route, greeted by all ages with cheers and good old rodeo spirit. Throughout the weekend before the Fourth, the world's best cowboys and cowgirls competed for top prize money in the rodeo. Rodeo activities began June 29th, and continued through July 4th.

In addition to the rodeo performances, fans were able to enjoy a PBR bull-riding competition, a professional art show, barbecues, dancing, fireworks, and a carnival. Official hostesses for the grand Fourth of July celebration were the three charming and accomplished young horsewomen of the Royal Court who served as ambassadors of goodwill for the 2006 rodeo season.

Queen Danielle Jackson was crowned Monday evening. Miss Jackson is from Silverton and graced the 2005 St. Paul Rodeo court as a princess and returned to head the court as it lead the community in its celebration of the 71st annual St. Paul Rodeo. She and her princesses, Laura Wilkeson of Amity and Kristen de Groen of Gaston, were selected from a field of very talented and well-qualified candidates. They represented the Rodeo to the media and the public throughout this rodeo season.

Miss Rodeo Oregon, Jennifer Steffen, was also in attendance. Miss Steffen, a former St Paul Rodeo Queen, was crowned on the rodeo grounds at the end of May.

Hundreds of competitors were after a piece of the pie; vying for nearly $250,000 in prize monies.