Hunter Greenup, of Lexington, Or., competes in the bareback riding event during the 77th annual Long Beach Rodeo.

LONG BEACH — Nolan Smith bounced up from the canvas with a broad smile.

Moments earlier, Smith, 13, took his first ride on a mechanical bull, lasting several spins before spilling to the inflatable floor below.

“It was really cool,” said Smith, of Rochester, regarding his first rodeo experience last weekend in Long Beach. Smith was among the thousands that turned out for the 77th edition of the Long Beach Rodeo, held last Saturday and Sunday at the arena along Sandridge Road.

Always among the summer’s most popular events, the rodeo attracts a diverse crowd of spectators as well as participants and their families.

Rodeo history

The Long Beach Rodeo has continued to grow from its humble beginnings in the early 1950s to current host of the Northwest Professional Rodeo Association (NPRA) series, which annually sanctions more than 40 rodeos across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and California.

Beginning with pony express races and parades in the late 40s, the first rodeo events were added in 1951, according to Peninsula Saddle Club archives. Shirley Hutton was selected as the first rodeo queen, a tradition that continues today.

In 1959, the rodeo was moved to a new location, the present rodeo grounds, and Gayle Peterson presided as queen.

In 1960, twelve riders from the Peninsula Saddle Club and Willapa Bay Saddle Club were sworn in as star route carriers before the commemorative pony express run between Long Beach and Raymond. Postmasters Rival Moore and Jack Petit Jr. administered the oath. Queen Barbara Weitzel presided as rodeo queen that year.

In 1976, organizers were forced to cancel the 28th annual rodeo due to rain — the first time in history. The grandstands were also replaced along with the arena fence and shoots that year. The chutes and holding pens were further upgraded in the early 90s. The purchase of aluminum bleachers added 300 seats as the popularity of the rodeo continued to grow.

In 2004, eight new solid guardrail pens and a brand new water system were added. The two features made it possible to hold more events throughout the year and made the facilities more secure when housing bulls weighing in.

Currently the Long Beach Rodeo, family night, poker rides, barrel races, trail rides, and the cowboy breakfast during Loyalty Days are the main featured events put on by the Peninsula Saddle Club. The Columbia River Cowpokes and the local 4-H club also use the facilities for their activities. The NPRA events held this year included bareback riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, barrel racing, junior barrel racing, team roping, bull riding and cow milking, the latest edition.