Story by Lynn Calvin, Photos by Snake River Stampede
The Snake River Stampede Hall of Fame Rodeo in Nampa, Idaho is back again this summer and has a great schedule in store for all! The Stampede has evolved from its roots as a bucking contest in 1911 and while previously held in conjunction with the Nampa Harvest Festival, today it is one of the Top 10 regular season rodeos in the nation.
The Stampede prides itself on being family-oriented entertainment. There’s something for everyone! With over 700 contestants and prizes reaching half a million dollars, the event boasts contests in bareback and saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down and team roping, steer and barrel racing, plus clown and specialty acts.
The dates for this year’s rodeo are July 18-22, nightly at 7:30 pm with a matinee on the July 22nd at 12 noon. Hall of Fame rodeo announcer Boyd Polhamus will call the shots while riders compete on National Finals Rodeo bucking stock from the Cervi Championship Rodeo outfit.
The top 12 contestants from the first five performances will come back on Saturday night, July 22nd, for championship finals. The entry list for this year’s rodeo is a virtual who’s who in professional rodeo. The Stampede is a must-stop for the competitors who have their eyes on a world championship. Only the top 15 money winners in each event every year qualify to compete at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In addition to championship rodeo, there will be a calf scramble event in which 4-H and FFA members compete in trying to catch, halter, and lead a calf across a line in the arena. The event will be held on Tuesday night and also during the Saturday matinee.
The rodeo also features a colorful riding club drill performed by the famed Snake River Stampeders Night Light Drill Team. This group of riders is the only drill team to be invited to ride at the National Finals Rodeo and have done so for five years. They also performed at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002. The Team will ride at every performance.
In 1997, the Stampede moved into an indoor, air-conditioned arena at the Ford Idaho Center off Interstate 84. Easy access to and from the interstate makes it one of the most popular summer events in the Treasure Valley.
The 103rd Annual Snake River Stampede is from July 18th-22nd at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa
Learn more about the Snake River Stampede and get your tickets at: snakeriverstampede.com
