Bend HS senior crowned Deschutes Fair-Rodeo queen

Bend Senior High School student Brooke Murphy was officially crowned as the 2018 Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo Queen Monday evening.

The 18-year-old participates in track and field, student council, Irish dancing, equestrian and animal 4-H.

She plans to attend Oregon State University in the fall and join the ROTC program.

Murphy was crowned at the Deschutes County Fair Association’s annual meeting. She tried out for the title last fall, competing against several other women.

She completed a written application and biography, horsemanship pattern, speech, and interview.

Murphy said being a rodeo queen teaches many skills that can be applied later on in life.

“It’s not just about appearance, and that’s what I think a lot of people think it’s about. And really it’s about the kids, and you get to spend a lot of time with kids in the community; 4-H kids,” Murphy said. “There are community service options you can do, and it’s all about being able to speak and being an ambassador for the sport of rodeo. I think it’s an amazing thing that a lot of girls should get into, if they’re interested in rodeo and horses.”

Murphy will hold her title through the end of the year.

The 2018 Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo will be Aug. 1-5. Fair Coordinator Ross Rogers said planning for the fair started around the end of last year’s fair. He said the fair already has many vendors booked.

One of the changes this year will be increasing the size of the second unit of carnival rides.

“We’re trying to bring something new to the fair every year, but we are kind of limited in the way that we set the fair because of the pathways coming through,” Rogers said. “The center circle area is going to be brand new this year.

“In the past, we’ve had a big stage and a tent and we don’t start any entertainment until 5 (p.m.). This year, we are completely reworking that. There will still be a stage and a tent, but there will be vendors in there — food vendors, music, that sort of thing, that will start at 1 (p.m.) and go to closing each night.”

In addition, the fair’s 2018 grand marshal has been named: Redmond School District Superintendent Mike McIntosh.

Rogers that while there will be four major concerts again this year, no contracts have been signed with artists as of yet.