Rain Can’t Dampen Crooked River Round-Up Spirit

The Crooked River Round-Up Parade kicked off right after 10 Saturday morning, and the rain seemed to stay out of the way.

The 45 minute parade brought out hundreds, including more than 200 entries this year.

While it didn’t rain while the parade was going on, it was the first time in a while that it had rained on a parade day.

Prineville resident Tom Decker couldn’t even imagine the thought of a cancelled parade.

“We got four grandkids. If we’d all been in our house all day long, that probably wouldn’t have been a great thing,” Decker said. “Luckily, it’s starting to break now, and the rodeo is going to be happening here pretty quick — lots of stuff happening in Prineville today.”

Decker tries to make it to the parade every year.

The 2012 Crooked River Round-Up Rodeo continues through Sunday.

Also taking place during round-up week was the annual Prineville Rockhound Pow-Wow.

Now in it’s 63rd year, the group of rock and mineral collectors gather along with vendors from all over the Western United States to show off their collectible gems.

With more than 70 vendors, the venue has millions of dollars worth of rocks that you can purchase or look at.

Some of the rocks include finished jewelry such as diamonds and agates found right here in Central Oregon.

Prineville Rockhound Assocation President Doug True says the event is a great chance to meet new people.

“What I like about the event is we get to meet so many different people and build relationships,’ True said. “And then they come every year, and they come visit with you, and they have something new to show you that they found or something they added to their collection.”

Another cool thing about the event, according to True, are the field trips that visitors can go on, to go out and find rocks.

The three-day event has had a pretty good turnout so far, but it’s not over. The show runs until Sunday ending at 4:00 p.m.

If you miss out, beginning on Wednesday, the Rockhounds will have another show in Madras, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.