New Year’s Eve celebrations include rodeo in Pendleton, alternative party in Mission
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, December 31st, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON & MISSION – A rough stock rodeo in Pendleton and a clean and sober party are among the many celebrations planned for New Year’s Eve in the area this year.
The Blue Mountain Community College Rodeo Boosters is holding its inaugural New Year’s Eve Blue Mountain Shootout at the Blue Mountain Equine Center next to the Pendleton Convention Center from 7-10 p.m. tonight (Wednesday). Club Vice President Haylee Harper said they have taken all the precautions with the equine herpesvirus to make sure the animals are safe.
“We are working with the USDA,” she said. “We’ve filled out the proper applications and we are going through the proper channels, policies, and procedures to make sure we can pull this off safely,” she said.
Events include bull riding, bareback, and saddle bronc. The livestock is being provided by Gold Buckle Rodeo and the event is open to professionals and nonprofessionals. They anticipate that there will be members of the BMCC rodeo team competing.
Billed as a family-friendly event, there are also activities following the rodeo. Proceeds go to the BMCC rodeo team. More information is on the booster club’s Facebook page.
The New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow begins with cultural activities at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. at the Mission Longhouse on Confederated Way. The event also includes dancing, vendors, raffles, a cake walk, and a sobriety countdown.
This powwow was created in 2012 by the New Beginnings Coalition, a group of Tribal and community members including young people and elders. The Behavioral Health Chemical Dependency Prevention group at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center has continued the tradition.
The drug- and alcohol-free event is free to anyone in the community wishing to soberly usher out 2025 and ring in 2026.
