Hats on to the Tillamook Dairy Parade and Rodeo
By Chelsea Yarnell
For the TODAY
Dairy: it’s what makes the cheddar — cheese in Tillamook.
Held traditionally on the fourth weekend in June, the June Dairy Parade will march in celebration of its 67th year on Saturday, June 22 at 11 am. The parade honors the community’s strong historical and economic ties to the dairy industry, and kicks off a weekend that includes the Tillamook County Rodeo on Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22.
The parade is hosted by the Tillamook Chamber of Commerce with the Tillamook Creamery Association as the major presenting sponsor.
“The June Dairy Parade brings families together, local and long distance,” Visitor Center Manager Tammy Samagaio said. “Families plan their vacations around the parade weekend to come to Tillamook.”
This year’s theme, “Tractor Trails & Tailgate Tales” calls for parade entries to embrace the rustic charm and laid-back vibes that reflect the area.
Parade-goers can line the route that travels from 11th street, through downtown 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 cheese busses and the Dairy and Rodeo royalty courts. The Camaro Club of Oregon will have at least 20 cars driving in the parade, then parked at Tillamook Grocery Outlet for viewing.
This year’s Honorary Marshal is John Holland, Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year, awarded in January for his role on the mobile crisis team in Tillamook County.
Tillamook High School Agricultural Science & Industrial Technology Instructor and FFA Advisor Hayden Bush is this year’s Grand Marshal. Hayden is a third generation dairy farmer and has coached multiple FFA Dairy Cattle Evaluation Teams to state-winning titles and notable national placements.
Same day events on Saturday 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 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 2nd Street, with 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, “Yeehawss” will echo from the Tillamook County Fairgrounds.
Known as the “The Biggest Little Show on the Coast” and winner of the 2023 Northwest Professional Rodeo Association’s “Best in Category” for “Added Money under $1,000” award, the Tillamook County Rodeo is a two-day event 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, everyone’s favorite, the rodeo clown.
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.
“Rodeo is a great sport and we try to keep ours family-oriented,” said rodeo Board President Mickey Hays, a former professional rodeo competitor who has been involved with all 37 Tillamook rodeos.
“I rode in the first rodeo, and then I worked out at the gate,” he said. “After that, they asked me to be on the board and I became president in 2011.”
Following all the dairy-themed festivities on Saturday, the rodeo will open for its second night of fun. Both evenings will feature the same rodeo events, but the Hooves and Hops Brewfest is only hosted on Saturday night.
“It will be a very lively event,” Board and Brewfest coordinator Kayla Magden said. “We have breweries from all over Oregon. A couple of local companies have been involved since we started hosting the Brewfest in 2018.”
The Brewfest is open from 5 to 11 pm inside the dairy barn. A $15 ticket is required in addition to general admission to the rodeo.
“With entry to the Brewfest, you’ll receive a commemorative glass and five tickets,” Magden said. “You can use those five tickets to get three-ounce sample pours from any of the brew and cider companies that are present.”
Breweries serving are Werner Brewing Company, Pelican Brewing, Buoy Beer Company, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Breakside Brewery, Portland Cider Company, Hop Valley Brewing,and Bauman’s Cider Company. Additional tickets for full pours are $5.
At the Tillamook Elks cornhole tournament, a blind draw will be held to select teams. Tournament play is $20 a player. Winners will receive a belt buckle.
Outside of the arena will be several food vendors and western-themed booths.
Rodeo admission is $17 for adults, $7 for kids ages five to 10 and free for kids younger than five. Tickets can be pre-purchased at tillamookrodeo.com/tickets or at the gate.