Every year in September, the iconic Pendleton Round-Up draws thousands of visitors to the small city in eastern Oregon. You’ll find people who travel from town to town, making their living bull riding or barrel racing. Native American tribal members spend the week living in a tepee village just outside the rodeo grounds and perform dances in full regalia.
In addition to all the weeklong festivities, the event gives some the opportunity to show off some of their best Western attire.
Scroll below for a look at some of the best outfits spotted there.
Pendleton Round Up in Pendleton, Oregon on September 16th, 2023.Kent J Edwards | Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive
Name: Justin, 23
From: Elko, Nevada. Grew up in Page, Arizona.
Years attending Pendleton Round-Up: First time
What inspired your outfit: I’m Navajo. I’m also Shoshone. The first day I showed up Shoshone style. Today I showed up Navajo. And this is all part of my outfit.
Is there a detail about your outfit you’d like to highlight: All the silver smithing. This is all turquoise. This is my family ring. Where we’ve been doing this for two generations. It is nice to come out here for the first time and see everybody, see the relay, see the horses and see the people, most importantly.
Pendleton Round Up in Pendleton, Oregon on September 16th, 2023.Kent J Edwards | Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive
Name: Cristy Hegwood, 54
Years attending Pendleton Round-Up: 15 years.
From: Visiting from northern Montana
What inspired your outfit: Well, I bought this gunny sack here several years ago and my husband told me he thought I would look good in a gunny sack. So I decided to make a skirt out of it. With my mom’s help we made a skirt.
Is there a detail about your outfit you’d like to highlight: All this lace and stuff came from my grandmother’s house that was all in her sewing stuff. So I tried to make it very authentic with old stuff. And it just advertises the roundup every year.
Pendleton Round Up in Pendleton, Oregon on September 16th, 2023.Kent J Edwards | Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive
Name: Calgary, 8
From: Stanfield, Oregon
Years attending Pendleton Round-Up: I’ve been coming here my whole life. My dad’s been coming here his whole life.
What inspired your outfit: I’ve just been a cowboy my whole life. So this is usually what we wear.
Is there a detail about your outfit you’d like to highlight: I like my cowboy shirt and hat.
Pendleton Round Up in Pendleton, Oregon on September 16th, 2023.Kent J Edwards | Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive
Pendleton Round Up in Pendleton, Oregon on September 16th, 2023.Kent J Edwards | Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive
Name: Dan Wolfe, 52
Years attending Pendleton Round-Up: Went to college here, been coming since the ‘90s.
Is there a detail about your outfit you’d like to highlight: My NFR (National Finals Rodeo) buckle.
What do you like about the Pendleton Round-Up: This is this is my favorite rodeo, and I’ve been to Canada, Brazil, all over the United States.
Pendleton Round Up in Pendleton, Oregon on September 15th, 2023. Kent J Edwards / OregonianKent J Edwards | Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive
Name: Reverie Wilkin
From: Seattle
Years attending Pendleton Round-Up: First time.
What inspired your outfit: Just going all black today. Based everything off my boots.
Pendleton Round Up in Pendleton, Oregon on September 16th, 2023. Kent J Edwards / OregonianKent J Edwards | Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive
Name: Pele Mito
From: Seattle
Years attending Pendleton Round-Up: First time.
What inspired your outfit: Honestly, I just like to put pieces together and put on what I feel most fly in.
Is there a detail about your outfit you’d like to highlight: I love the hat. I love pink. It’s my favorite color. Bought it on Amazon.
Pendleton Round Up in Pendleton, Oregon on September 16th, 2023.Kent J Edwards | Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive
Name: Conrad Schissler
From: Portland. Lived there 11 years.
Years attending Pendleton Round-Up: First time.
What inspired your outfit: I blame my boyfriend. He kind of got me into the whole cowboy thing. And I went to a Boot Barn with him, tried some stuff on. And it was like, “Oh, I think this kind of works.” And now this is just how I dress all year round.
Is there a detail about your outfit you’d like to highlight: My favorite thing about this particular outfit is the vest. I love this vest. If it was a little cooler, I would’ve worn a felt hat. But it’s too hot for felt.
Pendleton Round Up in Pendleton, Oregon on September 16th, 2023.Kent J Edwards | Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive
Name: Jim Benson, 78
From: Visiting from eastern Montana. Lived in Pendleton for 25 years.
Years attending Pendleton Round-Up: 35 years. Sat in the same seats in the north grand stand every year.
Is there a detail about your outfit you’d like to highlight: My necktie. My wife got it for me. It has a sign for a veterinarian on it and that’s what I do for a living.
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- 20 reasons to love Pendleton, the Old West capital of eastern Oregon
- Pendleton Round-Up showcases the other side of Oregon
— Kent J Edwards, Freelancer
