Snake River Stampede, Caldwell Night Rodeo among biggest in nation
Idaho Press-Tribune staff

Rodeo is an important part of the Western culture and heritage in the Treasure Valley.

Summer nights are often filled with the sights and sounds of rodeo action. Here’s a rundown on local rodeos this year:

• Snake River Stampede
  Rodeos have been entertaining Idaho crowds for nearly 100 years. Area rodeos are some of the most popular and historic in the country, bringing in the largest stars in the circuit.
  
  This year’s rodeo schedules are not holding back any of the action. With the Caldwell Night Rodeo performing in the classic confines of the Caldwell Rodeo grounds and the Snake River Stampede in the Idaho Center, excitement awaits the sound of the opening of the first gates.
  
  For more information regarding the Snake River Stampede or Stampede related events, contact the Snake River Stampede office at 466-8497.
  
  Rodeo events: Runs from July 16 to July 20
  Adults range from $6 to $26 for each night.
  Juniors, ages 12 and under, are $4 to $24 for each night.
  Seniors, 60 and over, are $4 to $24 for each night.
  Ticket prices depend on where people want to sit in the Idaho Center.
  
  Horse parade July 13 at 11 a.m., Good Ol’ Days in downtown Nampa following the Horse parade until 4 p.m.
  
  Griddles and Fiddles Family Festival & Kidz Fair July 13, located at Lakeview Park in Nampa on Garrity Boulevard. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee from 7 to 10:45 a.m. Tickets for adults are $4, children and seniors pay $3. Event also features introduction of rodeo queens, fiddlers, activities for children and other entertainment for the whole family, with everything from balloon magic to arts and crafts booths will run in the park from 7 to 5 p.m.
  
  Snake River Stampede Rodeo July 16-20 at 8 p.m., with a Saturday family day matinee featuring non-alcohol events that include ice cream and a visit from “Cowboy Gus.” Balloons and other give-aways while supplies last.
  
  Tickets are available at Select-a-Seat, the Snake River Stampede office at 109 12th Avenue South, or at the door of the Idaho Center, 16200 Can-Ada Rd. For more information contact the Idaho Center ticket office at 422-3232.
  
  The rodeo will feature the Miss Rodeo Idaho pageant, mutton busting, specialty acts and the Stampeders Night Light Drill Team.
  
  
• Caldwell Night Rodeo
  The Caldwell Night Rodeo, one of the area’s most popular rodeos, is back for its 66th year.
  
  This year’s rodeo runs from Aug. 13 through 17 at the Caldwell Night Rodeo grounds in Caldwell.
  
  The rodeo remains popular, board member Ryan Buehler said, because “we don’t present different entertainment acts. We concentrate on the cowboys who are the stars.”
  
  Pre-rodeo events begin at 7:15 each night, with the rodeo itself beginning at 8 p.m.
  
  Tuesday, Aug. 13 is the exception. The queen horsemanship event begins at 6 p.m.
  
  Ticket prices are as follows:
  
  Adults:
  Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: $12.
  Friday: $13.
  Saturday: $15.
  
  Seniors:
  Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: $10.
  Friday: $13.
  Saturday: $15.
  
  Children, 12 and under:
  Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: $4.50.
  Friday and Saturday: $8.
  
  Tickets are available at Select-A-Seat outlets. For more information about the Caldwell Night Rodeo, call the rodeo office at 459-2060.
  
  
• Owyhee County Rodeo
  The Owyhee County Rodeo will run August 7-10 at the Owyhee County Fairgrounds located in Homedale starting at 8 p.m. each evening. Some of the competitions include mutton busting, wild-horse racing and a wild-cow milking competition. The wild-horse racing and wild-cow milking events will not be every evening.
  
  The rodeo also features bull riding, bronco riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, kid’s steer riding and roping events.
  
  Tickets are expected to be around $7 for general admission.