Moovin’ Thru the Seasons
By Chelsea Yarnell
For the TODAY
As the first day of summer is welcomed, Tillamook continues to “Moo” through the seasons.
Held traditionally on the fourth weekend in June, the June Dairy Parade will march the streets in celebration of its 68th year on Saturday, June 28 at 11 am. The parade honors the community’s strong historical and economic ties to the dairy industry.
“The June Dairy Parade brings families together, local and long distance,” said Tillamook Visitor Center Manager Tammy Samagaio. “Families plan their vacations around the parade weekend to come to Tillamook.”
This year’s theme, “Moovin Thru the Seasons” is a call to celebrate the beauty in every season. Each parade entry has been tasked with picking a season to embody, whether it be the fresh blossoms of spring, cozy hues of autumn or the sparkling wonder of winter.
Parade-goers can line the route that travels from 11th Street, through downtown Tillamook and out to Goodspeed Park on Third Street. Experience the celebration with a procession of more than 90 entries including: tractors, decorated floats, dancing horses, bands, marching groups, Tillamook Creamery’s mini buses, Tillamook Rodeo royalty courts including Tillamook’s own Miss Rodeo Chloe Rieger and dairy marshals.
Honored participants will be escorted through town. This year’s Honorary Marshal is Kaylan Sisco, awarded Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year in January for his years of service as CEO of the Tillamook County Family YMCA.
Lifelong Tillamook County resident Ray Monroe is this year’s Grand Marshal. Monroe has made extensive contributions to the local dairy industry and community. He has served on the Tillamook County Soil and Water Conservation District since 1996, is an active member of the Pacific City Dorymen’s Association, the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the ODFW Restoration and Enhancement Board, the Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association and the Ocean Policy Advisory Committee. His dedication to local agriculture is evident through his involvement with the Oregon Salmon Commission, the Tillamook Working Lands and Waters Cooperative and the Oregon Farm Bureau.
Same day events for June 28 keep the community festivities going from morning to night.
Prior to the parade, the Tillamook County Family YMCA hosts the Milk Run fun run. The 2 mile walk/run, 5k walk/run and 10k run begin and end at the YMCA at 610 Stillwell Avenue. Races start at 8 am. To register, go to tillamookymca.org.
Pick up a post-race snack and food for parade-watching at the Tillamook Farmers Market on the corner of Laurel Avenue and Second Street in downtown Tillamook, featuring locally-grown produce, handmade and artisan gifts, baked goods, live music and activities for kids. The market will be open from 9 am to 2 pm.
Wrapping up the weekend, “yeehaws” will echo from the Tillamook County Fairgrounds.
Known as the “The Biggest Little Show on the Coast,” the Tillamook County Rodeo is a two-day event, Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28, with action beginning at 7 pm each evening. Bareback riding, barrel racing and bull riding are just a few of the eight events that competitors will compete in in hopes of earning the cash purse and coveted belt buckle. And of course, you won’t want to miss everyone’s favorite, the rodeo clown.
“Rodeo is a great sport and we try to keep ours family-oriented,” said Tillamook County Rodeo Board President Mickey Hays. “We should have good weather for a great show put on by the Tillamook County Rodeo Association and Howell Rodeo Company. Clown Kyle Bodie is coming back for entertainment and our announcer is Al Parsons. Both of these guys travel the Northwest working rodeos for the summer.”
Friday night’s rodeo is deemed “Kids’ Day” with children 10 years old and younger receiving free admission with a paying adult. Kids can also participate in stick pony races.
Hays, a former professional rodeo competitor, has been involved with all 38 Tillamook rodeos.
“I rode in the first rodeo and then I worked out at the gate,” Hays said. “After that, they asked me to be on the board and I became president in 2011.”
Rodeo general admission is $20 for adults, $10 for kids ages 5 to 10 and free for kids age 4 and younger. Kids are free all day on Friday. Tickets can be pre-purchased at tillamookrodeo.com/tickets or at the gate.
June Dairy: Photos courtesy of Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce
Tillamook Rodeo: Photos courtesy of Tillamook County Rodeo
Miss Tillamook Rodeo Chloe Rieger