2025 marks the 78th annual Elgin Stampede PRCA rodeo & Xtreme Broncs, hosted at the Base of the Blues in beautiful Elgin, Oregon. The 2020 COVID Pandemic prohibited the annual rodeo tradition from occurring, shaving one year off of it's original anniversary date. The first Elgin Stampede was held in 1946 as a result of some idle talk in a barbershop one afternoon about the need for an annual celebration. A ranching community at heart, the Elgin Chamber decided the celebration should be an annual rodeo. Joseph rancher, Harley Tucker, put together rodeo stock and encouraged the Chamber to sponsor a rodeo.
It was determined that a horse group was needed to establish a partnership with the Elgin Chamber for this event. On June 14, 1946, a group of businessmen and local ranchers gathered at Rex Hall to organize a riding club; a mounted drill team was since birthed and was a part of every Stampede from its inception in 1946 until 2019.
The Moore Baseball Field with grandstands to seat 3,000 spectators was used for the Elgin Stampede until 1950 when the baseball field was sold and the Elgin Stampeders purchased its current location. They were offered a section of the grandstands which were moved to the new baseball field facilities and preparations for the grounds and race track began. No Stampede rodeo was held that year.
The first of many trail rides, camp outs, and horseback fun activities were held June 27, 1946. The Stampede Grounds have provided a place for many activities since that time. The Elgin Stampede began and continues to function with a volunteer staff - the hard-working community of Elgin, and surrounding areas. As we prepare for our annual rodeo each July, we hope the community spirit that started the Elgin Stampede, continues and the spirit of the Old West is forever a part of our community.