What Chief Joseph Days Is
Chief Joseph Days is a week of rodeo, parades and community events in Joseph, Oregon. 2026 marked the 80th celebration. The centerpiece is a PRCA rodeo of four nights at the Harley Tucker Memorial Arena, surrounded by a Bucking Horse Stampede down Main Street, two parades, a charity walk and a Friendship Feast.
The 2026 Schedule
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, July 22 | Bucking Horse Stampede down Main Street, 1:30 p.m. Buckaroo Rodeo for children and adults with special needs, 9 a.m., in the arena |
| Thursday, July 23 | Miles for Mammograms, a breast cancer awareness fundraiser, 9 a.m., starting at the Thunder Room |
| Four rodeo nights | PRCA rodeo at 7 p.m., gates at 6 p.m., ending on Saturday |
| Friday, July 24 | Junior Parade, 10 a.m., Main Street |
| Saturday, July 25 | Grand Parade, 10 a.m., Main Street, and the final night of the rodeo |
| Weekend close | Chief Joseph Commemorative Friendship Feast and Dances at noon, and Cowboy Church and Breakfast at 9 a.m. |
Slack shows run Wednesday through Saturday at 2 p.m. in the arena. Local shops and vendors set up at the rodeo grounds and on Main Street.
Parades: How to Enter
Grand Parade
Starts at 10:00 a.m., runs about two hours and draws close to 100 entries. The route starts at East 7th Street, heads north on Main Street and ends at West Alder Street. Pre-registration is required to be announced and placed in the lineup, and registration and lineup was 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Methodist Church in Joseph. Late entrants could check in at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of Lake Street and 3rd Street, but went to the end of the lineup and were not announced. Street-legal vehicles are allowed.
Junior Parade
Starts at 10:00 a.m. on the same route, runs about an hour and draws over 100 youngsters from infants to teens. Pre-registration is not required, and walk-up entries are welcome at check-in at the Methodist Church (corner of 3rd and Lake). Children may ride in motorized vehicles that are not street-legal, such as golf carts. The top three performers in each category receive cash prizes of $10 to $20, the Grand Prize is $100, and every participant gets a free ice cream cone. Categories include Small Fry, Costumes (ages 6-9 and 10-17), Marching Groups, Wheels, Floats and Riding.
For Visiting Royalty
The 2026 court leads the Grand Entry Serpentine each night. Visiting royalty who want to join line up at the north end arena entrance at 6 p.m., and rodeo courts may join the Saturday Grand Parade. After the parade there is a lunch for royalty at The Place, 301 South Lake Street. Each court girl receives one general admission ticket for Saturday night per royalty member, plus two for chaperones.
Where
- Harley Tucker Memorial Arena, 405 W. Wallowa Ave., Joseph, OR 97846.
- Rodeo Office and Souvenir Store, 401 N. Main Street, Joseph. Winter hours are Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Office phone: 541-432-1015.
Questions
Can my child ride in the Junior Parade without signing up?
Yes. Walk-up entries are welcome at check-in.
Where do I collect a parade prize?
Uncollected prizes are available at the Chief Joseph Days office.
What time do rodeo gates open?
6 p.m., for the 7 p.m. performances.
Official Links
- Chief Joseph Days
- Parades
- Contestant and visiting royalty information
- Rodeo schedule and information
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Wallowa County Fair
Annual county fair in Enterprise for Wallowa County residents, with exhibits, livestock and community entertainment. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-07-30 to 2027-08-07, and organizers may adjust them.
Enterprise, OR Official event details - Wallowa County 4-H Pre-Fair Contest Days
Two days of 4-H presentations, cooking, table setting, favorite foods, sewing skills and fashion revue contests held ahead of the fair. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 28 and 29, 2026.
Enterprise, OR | Organizer: Wallowa County 4-H Official event details - Wallowa County Fair Junior Rodeo
Youth rodeo that opens the Wallowa County Fair, with events starting at 9 AM on both days. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 31 and August 1, 2026.
668 NW 1st Street, Enterprise, OR 97828 | 541-426-4097 | Organizer: Wallowa County Fair Board Official event details - Wallowa County 4-H Horse Show
Two-day 4-H horse show with morning starts, part of the Wallowa County Fair schedule. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 3 and 4, 2026.
668 NW 1st Street, Enterprise, OR 97828 | 541-426-4097 | Organizer: Wallowa County 4-H Official event details - Wallowa County Fair Livestock Judging Contest
Afternoon livestock judging contest for 4-H and FFA youth during fair week, followed that evening by the Grand Champion Market Classes. Held each year; the most recent date was August 6, 2026.
668 NW 1st Street, Enterprise, OR 97828 | 541-426-4097 | Organizer: Wallowa County 4-H and FFA Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.