Sisters Rodeo celebrates 85 years of community and culture, with added Thursday performance

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A week is all that's left until The Biggest Little Show in the World makes its much-anticipated return to Central Oregon.

"You know, we are so excited. The community has really rallied around this rodeo, as they have for the last 85 years," said Brian Greig, Vice President of the Sisters Rodeo.

Eighty-five years, and each year the Sisters Rodeo continues to showcase one of the premier rodeo experiences in the nation.

"Again, it's not just coming to the rodeo, it's take it all in, tailgate, come inside have a beverage, listen (to) some live music, watch the rodeo, and stick around even after the rodeo and listen to more live music, as the Red Rock will continue to be open," Greig said.

This year, the rodeo adds a full Thursday performance, new beverages, and even a golf tournament, all while staying true to its roots.

"We couldn't be more excited to be able to extend that to our fan base, and also give our cowboys and cowgirls another opportunity to make money as they make their way up and down the road, as the rodeo season really kicks off," Greig saud.

A rich history has led the event through eight and a half decades, -and last year, it got another unforgettable chapter, when a bull named Party Bus jumped the arena fence.

"We really try to make sure that we highlight what makes the rodeo great, and that's the fans, the contestants, God, country and family. Party Bus is just another layer to the 85 years of stories that we can tell," Greig said.

Ranked among the top 50 rodeos in the country, Sisters Rodeo welcomes 800 contestants, awards $15,500 per event, is powered by 275 volunteers, and draws more than 30,000 spectators.

But at its core, it’s about community.

"It's making sure that folks know that they're so appreciated and all that they do. And our fans, again, when we launched the Thursday performance, you know, they said, 'We want more, we want more!'" Greig said. "And they definitely delivered. So we cannot be more grateful for their willingness to come in and support the rodeo. And we're really excited to get back and going. And we're really excited to welcome the Thursday performance."