A quiet cowboy moment tucked into the trees — a blend of Western grit and natural beauty that inspires so many of my storytelling portrait sessions.
Once December is over, winter can start to feel pretty miserable. You’re stuck with cold weather without the excitement of the holidays. It can really start to get to your head if you’re not careful. If you need the perfect way to get out of the winter blues, you can start making plans once the weather gets warmer. And what better way to celebrate the summer than a good old-fashioned rodeo? If you haven’t been lucky enough to attend one in the past, you need to make it a priority this year. Between the great food and thrilling events, you’ll have a day you won’t forget for a long, long time. Here are my three favorite Eastern Washington rodeos.
Take In Some Good Old Fashioned Family Fun With These 3 Eastern Washington Rodeos
Cheney Rodeo
14310 WA-904, Cheney, Washington 99004
Every year in early July, the Cheney Rodeo comes into Eastern Washington for a three-day event. The party kicks off on Friday night with events such as bareback riding, team roping, kids’ balloon stampede, barrel racing, and bull riding. These events are repeated every night with brand-new twists. The rodeo brings in food trucks and vendors. They also host parades, cowboy church, and family days. Starting in 2024, the rodeo will no longer allow re-entry, and seating is not guaranteed, though there will be standing-room-only sections. Keep in mind they have a clear bag policy.
Palouse Empire Rodeo
310 North Main Street, Colfax, Washington 99111
The Palouse Empire Fair takes place a bit later in the year and kicks off on the first Thursday of September. There are campgrounds nearby where you can camp out throughout the entire event. The rodeo features lots of expert horse riding to let the very best in the Eastern Washington region show off their skills. There is barrel racing, roping, and dirt bike barrels. You can see 4 H exhibits, watch some pretty adorable kid cowboys round up their calves, play a game of cow chip bingo, and take a swing at the Saturday night barnyard dance.
Springdale Frontier Days
302 S Main Street, Springdale, Washington 99173
At the Springdale Frontier Days, there is an open rodeo that lasts for two days in the middle of June. The rodeo features classic events such as bull riding, bareback riding, chute dogging, tie-down roping, team rope heeler, and barrel racing. Each year, the rodeo hosts a pageant so they can anoint a new Miss Rodeo Washington to represent the association for the next year. Later on in August, you can stop back at the campgrounds for their PeeWee Rodeo, where you’ll be able to see budding cowboys and cowgirls ages 3-18 compete in some pretty impressive events.
A classic cowboy moment captured between events a Texas ranch— the perfect blend of rugged Western charm and storytelling portraiture that makes summer sessions in Washington so unforgettable.
I Hope You Have A Great Summer With These Eastern Washington Rodeos
Once the weather starts to heat up, it’s rodeo season! Check out these Eastern Washington rodeos so you can have an unforgettable night.
If you’re looking for another way to make memories, I would love to connect! I’m a Washington photographer, and I adore working with families to plan gorgeous photo sessions. I have a special knack for taking the stunningly beautiful Washington landscape and working it into my portraits. If you’ve been considering booking a session to celebrate the major moments in your life, let’s chat so you can decide whether I’m the photographer for you!
