Spring has sprung here in Ellensburg and with that comes a kickoff to many events we have planned at the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame Museum as well as around the Kittitas Valley. Before we get into our schedule for the coming months, we would like to announce this year’s inductees to the Hall of Fame.
We’d like to welcome a trio of wonderful inductees to the ERHOF. Join us in celebrating team roper Charles Pogue, calf roper and steer wrestler Dave Brock and stock contractors the Eaton family to our list of inductees. These people have put their own stamp on the Ellensburg Rodeo’s many stories and traditions year after year. Pogue, who lives in Oklahoma, is a four-time winner at Ellensburg, taking team roping titles in 1987, 1991, 1994 and 2005. The Texan Brock is a three-time buckle winner going back-to-back in steer wrestling in 1980 and 1981 after winning the All-Around here in 1973. The Kittitas Valley’s Eaton family provided timed-event? stock to the arena for countless years, while also volunteering in multiple areas around the rodeo grounds.
This year’s inductees will be honored at our annual induction banquet on August 24, 2024. The banquet, while separate from the Ellensburg Rodeo, acts as a kickoff of more than a week of rodeo action, entertainment and activities in Ellensburg.
But there is plenty to enjoy before August’s induction ceremony. Many of our members and those in the community enjoyed last year’s monthly Speaker Series hosted at the museum on the 23rd of each month as our way of celebrating the rodeo’s 100th year. The series was such a success that we are continuing with a few installments in 2024. Tuesday, April 30th ’s Night at the Museum Fashion Show at 7 p.m. will display decades of fashion that has graced the arena since the rodeo’s inception in 1923. Some 30 volunteers will be on hand in full regalia as rodeo clowns, specialty acts, royalty members, announcers and of course, the nationally famous Rodeo Grandma’s from the 1990’s TV advertisements. All that history will come alive? under the museum’s roof at 416 N. Pearl St in downtown Ellensburg.
As we get closer to May, and specifically Cinco de Mayo, the Hall of Fame partners with Spirit Therapeutic Riding Center for next Saturday’s Cindo de Mayo celebration on May 4th at Spirit TRC. Tickets still remain for all who are 21 and over at $60 per person or $110 per couple for a night of Mexican food from the QT Food Truck, margaritas, music by the Ante Up Band. Contact any board member, inquire at the museum or email erhof97@gmail.com for more information).
Then again in July we will host another speaker series event at the museum to celebrate the Ellensburg Rodeo Posse and King County Posse? and their contributions over the many decades at the rodeo. Join us at 7 p.m. on July 23rd for stories, memories and laughs.
We’d like to say CONGRATULATIONS to outgoing Ellensburg Rodeo Queen Alexis Andrews. Alexis represented the Ellensburg Rodeo exceptionally well during 2023’s year-long celebration of 100 years of the Ellensburg Rodeo. As we’ve done in the past and gladly continue to do annually, the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame inducted Queen Alexis into the Hall of Fame during the annual coronation and pageant on Saturday, January 27th, joining many queens and princesses from year’s past.
This also allows us to welcome 2024 Queen Rebekah Mundell. Queen Rebekah earned her crown at this year’s pageant in front of 200 onlookers and supporters. While we do not know all of Queen Rebekah’s schedule for this coming year, we’re hopeful ERHOF supporters and members will get a chance to see her at various events around town, including at the ERHOF museum.
Our displays rotate every four months, including some surprises as we get ready for the warmer months. The museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Don’t forget our website: www.erhof.org, which provides historic photographs, biographical essays of ERHOF inductees, a virtual museum tour, ERHOF membership info and much more! Also, check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bootsoffame; Instagram at www.instagram.com/ellensburgrodeohallfoffame; email ERHOF97@gmail.com; and mail Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame, 110 W. 6th St PMB 374, Ellensburg, WA 98926.