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Vision Statement
The Philomath Frolic & Rodeo showcases our local heritage and celebrates the western way of life. Mission Statement The mission of the Philomath Frolic & Rodeo is to be a family-oriented entertainment organization focused on the traditions on which the community was founded, namely our Western heritage and the logging industry. We plan, carry out and support events which reflect the contemporary interests of our community while promoting volunteerism, public involvement, and a love for learning throughout the region. We are committed to the principle that every individual brings value to our organization. We recognize the value of diverse backgrounds and identities and celebrate the common interests we all work to achieve. |
History
The Philomath Frolic was started in 1953 by three couples dreaming of putting together a new community celebration with a logging show, parade, dance, and other events. Through the years, various events from logging exhibitions to softball tournaments have come and gone depending on the community's interests. It was 1983 when the Skirvin brothers offered up a piece of their farm land and helped construct an arena, creating what has since been known as the Philomath Frolic & Rodeo. The rodeo attracts over 5,000 spectators each year and has been distinguished as the Northwest Professional Rodeo Association "Rodeo of the Year" eight times.
For two years, 1915 and 1916, Philomath was the rodeo capital of Oregon. Those who still remember the action in the wooden arena at the north end of 12th street will tell you that it was a bigger event than Pendleton rodeo ever dreamed of having — in those days.
In 1915, pining for the grandeur of his adopted Montana plains, R.P. McClelland organized the first Round-Up. It was a grand affair, complete with a large contingent of imported “wild” Indians and world-famous cowboys.
The rodeos were preceded by a grand parade down Philomath’s Main Street and up 12th street to the rodeo grounds, where the fun was begun by most of the country’s best horsemen and the rodeo contestant riding pell-mell across the stadium in an event known as “the break." Following were wild races, bucking horses, calf roping, Indian dancing and various wild parties around town for the next three days. More than 10,000 spectators jammed splintery bleacher seats in June 1916 — when the rodeo peaked — to watch the likes of “Buffalo” Vernon and “Yakima” Canutt compete for top dollar prizes.
World War I started later that year and the Round Up was never held again.
The Frolic began in 1953. It was that year that Clarence and Inez Marstall, Walter and Ida Pflughaupt, and Melvin and Esther Castle organized the first Philomath Western Frolic, then called the Philomath Buckaroo and Loggers’ Frolic. Jani Ryker was selected Queen and the parade was limited that first year.
Events were added and others were eliminated. Some of the events have been a trail ride, a logging show, a carnival, a truck rodeo, dances, a Lions Breakfast, an old-time community picnic, a Sunday Union Church service, and various displays and exhibits which took place during the Frolic.
In 1983, the Frolic Committee decided to make some changes again and bring back the idea of a rodeo. Twenty-one acres of land was leased from Skirvin Farms (owned by three brothers, Carl, Walt and Paul Skirvin), off South 13th Street utilizing the old airport runway. In six weeks the committee took a bare piece of land and with volunteer labor and donations built a rodeo arena.
Many improvements and repairs have been made to the rodeo grounds in the years since. The Philomath Frolic & Rodeo was voted NPRA’s “Best Rodeo in the Northwest” in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
The Philomath Frolic was started in 1953 by three couples dreaming of putting together a new community celebration with a logging show, parade, dance, and other events. Through the years, various events from logging exhibitions to softball tournaments have come and gone depending on the community's interests. It was 1983 when the Skirvin brothers offered up a piece of their farm land and helped construct an arena, creating what has since been known as the Philomath Frolic & Rodeo. The rodeo attracts over 5,000 spectators each year and has been distinguished as the Northwest Professional Rodeo Association "Rodeo of the Year" eight times.
For two years, 1915 and 1916, Philomath was the rodeo capital of Oregon. Those who still remember the action in the wooden arena at the north end of 12th street will tell you that it was a bigger event than Pendleton rodeo ever dreamed of having — in those days.
In 1915, pining for the grandeur of his adopted Montana plains, R.P. McClelland organized the first Round-Up. It was a grand affair, complete with a large contingent of imported “wild” Indians and world-famous cowboys.
The rodeos were preceded by a grand parade down Philomath’s Main Street and up 12th street to the rodeo grounds, where the fun was begun by most of the country’s best horsemen and the rodeo contestant riding pell-mell across the stadium in an event known as “the break." Following were wild races, bucking horses, calf roping, Indian dancing and various wild parties around town for the next three days. More than 10,000 spectators jammed splintery bleacher seats in June 1916 — when the rodeo peaked — to watch the likes of “Buffalo” Vernon and “Yakima” Canutt compete for top dollar prizes.
World War I started later that year and the Round Up was never held again.
The Frolic began in 1953. It was that year that Clarence and Inez Marstall, Walter and Ida Pflughaupt, and Melvin and Esther Castle organized the first Philomath Western Frolic, then called the Philomath Buckaroo and Loggers’ Frolic. Jani Ryker was selected Queen and the parade was limited that first year.
Events were added and others were eliminated. Some of the events have been a trail ride, a logging show, a carnival, a truck rodeo, dances, a Lions Breakfast, an old-time community picnic, a Sunday Union Church service, and various displays and exhibits which took place during the Frolic.
In 1983, the Frolic Committee decided to make some changes again and bring back the idea of a rodeo. Twenty-one acres of land was leased from Skirvin Farms (owned by three brothers, Carl, Walt and Paul Skirvin), off South 13th Street utilizing the old airport runway. In six weeks the committee took a bare piece of land and with volunteer labor and donations built a rodeo arena.
Many improvements and repairs have been made to the rodeo grounds in the years since. The Philomath Frolic & Rodeo was voted NPRA’s “Best Rodeo in the Northwest” in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006 and 2007.