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Happy Canyon Pageant

Portraying Early Oregon History

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The Happy Canyon Pageant, the West's most unique Indian show, began in 1916 when Roy Raley, fathers of the Pendleton Round-Up, decided that evening entertainment was needed for the Round-Up. Raley wrote a show based on stories from his father, who came to Oregon on the Oregon Trail.

The first show was held as part of the Umatilla-Morow County Fair. The history of the Indians was added to the show a few years later.

The pageant requires a cast of 231 Indian and 159 white performers, as well as numerous livestock. The Happy Canyon Pageant is the result of 80 years of dedication by Umatilla County residents to present a pageant of their own history.

Location: P.O. Box 609, 1205 S.W. Court, Pendleton Oregon 97801 Telephone 541-276-2553 Toll Free: 800-45-RODEO Fax 541-276-9776

Other History nearby:
(Echo) Chinese House Railroad Museum
(Pendleton) Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla
(Echo) Echo Historical Museum
(Echo) Echo Hotel Restaurant & Lounge
(Elgin) Elgin Opera House and Elgin Museum
(Walla Walla) Fort Walla Walla Museum


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03/29 Coming to The Pendleton area
National Oldtime Fiddlers Contest and Festival Weiser ID June17-22 Idaho's premier fiddler's contest is back with all the fun and celebration throughout Weiser. Parades, fiddle contest, food and arts vendors and much more.
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Moscow ID February20-23 You'll see the best at this four day musical extravaganza in Moscow. The World's greatest jazz artists conduct workshops and clinic by day and perform in star studded concerts at night.