Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
Grab your nearest and dearest and head to the Columbia County Fairgrounds this Friday and Saturday for the 2024 Dayton Days Rodeo. The action kicks up its heels Friday evening at 6 p.m. and Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. after the Dayton Days Parade, sponsored by the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, at 10 a.m.
By Loyal and Charlotte Baker
DAYTON–The 2024 Dayton Days-Columbia County Fair Rodeo, this Friday and Saturday, May 24 and 25, will not only feature plenty of Western livestock action and thrills, it will also be more affordable as ticket prices have been reduced to encourage families to attend this year's two performances of buckin', snortin' hide and hair.
The 2024 edition of the Dayton Days Rodeo will be dedicated to the late Tim Donohue, who passed away in January, and who served as president of the organization for several years. Members of the Donohue family will be on hand for a dedication ceremony prior to the start of the rodeo both days.
The first session kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday and will feature ranch bronc riding, team roping, steer riding, mutton bustin', a Sheep Race, breakaway roping, tie-down roping, chute dogging, barrel racing, junior barrel racing and the grand finale, bull riding.
Saturday's action will get under way at 1 p.m. at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, 101 Fairgrounds Lane. Rough-stock contractors Bar X Rodeo, LLC and Shamrock Rodeo will be providing the broncs, bulls and calves for all the rodeo action. Tucker Cool of Bar X Rodeo will announce the event.
It is suggested warm and rain-resistant clothing be considered as the National Weather Service is predicting a 40% chance of showers both days. But don't worry–the covered grandstands will provide ample protection from any precipitation that may be falling.
The gates open at 4 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday, right after the Dayton Days Parade, brought to you by the Dayton Chamber of Commerce. After seeing the parade on Main Street, head over to the Columbia County Fairgrounds for a bite to eat and get a good seat in the covered grandstands for the afternoon rodeo.
Dayton Days, Inc. and the Columbia County Fair Association team up put on the two-day rodeo. Admission is $10 adults; $5 seniors and ages 17-8, and children seven and under are free of charge. Tickets will be available at the gate or visit daytondays.net and scan the QR code, or visit EventBrite.com and search for Dayton Days.
It wouldn't be Dayton Days without Saturday's Dayton Days Parade, courtesy of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce. The parade starts down Main Street at 10 a.m. May 25. The Chamber is accepting entries until noon on Friday, May 26, so it's not too late to join the fun." Call the Chamber at 382-4825 to get in the parade.
The parade comes down the hill on Main Street and through the downtown blocks then turns right on 1st Street. A beer garden is also on the premises.
At the Fairgrounds, follow your nose to local service clubs offering their trademark food: the Dayton Kiwanis Club and Dayton Lions Club.
Dayton Days is sponsored by Premium Sponsors Clearwater River Casino, Columbia REA, Dayton Mercantile and the Dayton Chronicle.
Bucking Chute Sponsors include CDJR of Walla Walla, Banner Bank, Elk Drug, HAPO Credit Union, Jones Truck and Implement, Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf and Van Ausdle Tires.
Arena sign sponsors include: Bordertown Feed & Supply, Neace Farms, P1FCU Credit Union, Puget Sound Energy and Avren Childers State Farm Insurance.
Event Sponsors are Broughton Land-Team Roping; Wildhorse Resort & Casino-Bull Riding. Broughton Land is also donating feed for the rodeo stock.
Buckle Sponsors are Bank of Eastern Washington, Bluewood and Walla Walla Electric.
