The Eugene Pro Rodeo begins its 28th anniversary tonight with a four-day competition at the Eugene Horse Center. The theme, “Tough Enough to Wear Pink,” is designed to raise awareness for those affected by breast cancer.
Rodeo Media Director Kristina McElhinney says that the nationally recognized event will have special activities aimed at capturing attention from a younger audience, such as fireworks, motorcycle jumps, and backstage passes.
“Rodeo is an older sport,” says McElhinney. “It tends to have a little bit older of a demographic interested in it. But we’ve really tried to revive our rodeo and make it a big family-friendly event so that we can get kids interested in the sport and keep it going.”
During tonight’s competition only, pink tennis balls can be purchased at the venue to be thrown into the arena for prizes. Money raised during the event is donated to the Oregon Cancer Foundation.
Copyright KLCC, 2019.