Oakley Rodeo Program 2025_compressed (1)

2025 Oakley Pioneer Days 143rd Annual Since 1882 JULY 11TH - JULY 19TH, 2025 NEW INFORMATION AND ENGAGING CONTENT

KIDS, DID YOU FIND THE THREE HIDDEN BUMP N RUB CAR CRASHES? KEEP READING!

2025 THEME: DEEP ROOTS, STRONG HARVEST

READ FOR HISTORY, GAMES, MUSIC, FOOD, NEWS, ROYALTY, FAQS, SCHEDULE, AND MUCH MORE! THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE COOK SHACK ON THE RODEO GROUNDS

PUT THIS IN YOUR CALENDAR NOW: FRIDAY, JULY 10TH - SATURDAY JULY 19TH

OAKLEYPIONEERDAYS.COM

July 11 July 11 -- 19, 19, 2025 2025 Presented By: Presented By:

VISIT OUR VISIT OUR NEW NEW WEBSITE WEBSITE FOR THE FOR THE FULL FULL CALENDAR CALENDAR & & PRICING INFORMATION! PRICING INFORMATION!

WWW.OAKLEYPIONEERDAYS.COM WWW.OAKLEYPIONEERDAYS.COM

Friday & Saturday, July 11th and 12th 17th Annual Bump-N-Rub Car Races

Saturday, July 19th

7:00 PM - Oakley Rodeo Grounds Calcutta Betting Begins at 6:30 on Saturday

Basketball Tournament

Tuesday, July 15th Teen Swim Night

40th Annual Goose Creek Runoff

9:00 PM - 11 PM @ Oakley City Pool

Wednesday, July 16th Volleyball Tournament

Oakley High School Gyms - All Day

10K. 5K. Kids Race (8AM) 5:30 AM Check-In. Oakley City Park

Chuckwagon Breakfast Oakley Booster Club’s Oakley City Park 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM

OHS Football Field - Sponsored by Wybenga Dairy

Market on Main

Antique Tractor Pulls

Oakley Main Street 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

7:00 PM - Oakley Rodeo Grounds

Thursday, July 17th

Gymkhana Youth Rodeo 6:00 PM Oakley Rodeo Grounds OVAC Presents at the Historic Howells Opera House

Pirates of Penzance 7:30 PM Opening Night July 17 - August 2nd

Friday, July 18th

Vendors at the Park Oakley City Park - All Day Free Documentary Showing “Channeling Hope: The 1984 Flood That Never Happened” 9:00 & 10:30 AM • Howells Opera House

Car Show Oakley High School Practice Field - 10AM to 3PM

BBQ Lunch in the Park By the Oakley Vigilantes Oakley City Park - 11:30 AM to 2PM

Quilt Show

Open Rodeo - Patriot Night

Old Fire Station (Just West of Park) - 10AM to 4PM

7:00 PM Oakley Rodeo Grounds

Pioneer Day Parade

(Free Admission to all Veterans and Active Duty Military)

Dutch Oven Cookoff 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Oakley Park Pavilion

Basketball Tournament Oakley High School Gyms - All Day

Live Music & Street Dance On Main Street by Clark’s for Shopping Immediately After Rodeo - Featuring Shenanigans

“Deep Roots, Strong Harvest” Oakley Main Street - 5:00 PM Grand Marshalls - Jerry and Renee Wells

Open Rodeo 7:00 PM Oakley Rodeo Grounds Wild Cow Riding Night!

Slack Begins at 8AM Fireworks Show Immediately After

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OAKLEY, ID OPEN RODEO Friday July 18th & Saturday July 19th 7:00 PM Oakley, ID Rodeo Grounds Friday: Patriot Night - Veterans and Active Military Are Free Saturday: Fireworks Night - Sponsored by Northern Stone Supply, Don’s Repair & Others

Over $25,000 Added Money!

Events Include: Bareback Saddle Bronc Ranch Bronc Bull Riding Tie Down Roping

Entries Open July 9th 9AM Contact Wade Durham to Enter 406-581-7223

Entry Fee - $130 Hoggan Rodeo Company

Breakaway Roping Steer Wrestling Barrel Racing Open Team Roping #10 Team Roping

Saturday Night Wild Cow Riding Entry Fee $80 Added Money Contact Blake Matthews 208-431-3246 @OakleyPioneerDaysIdaho

Don’t miss our Friday Night Post- Rodeo Dance and Live Entertainment ft. Shenanigans and Saturday Slack starting at 8AM! Questions? Visit Our Website OakleyPioneerDays.com/Rodeo

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

05 WELCOME LETTER

06 2025 OAKLEY VIGILANTES LIST

07 RODEO ROYALTY CONTESTANTS

11 I-SPY

12 CASSIA COUNTY HISTORY

14 FIREWORKS SHOW AND SPONSORS

16 MEET THE GRAND MARSHALLS

20 MEET THE HONORED PIONEERS

27 THE OAKLEY PARADE INFORMATION

28 CROSSWORD PUZZLE

29 31 FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE MUSIC BUMP-B-RUB RACES AND DANCE INFORMATION

35 OUR SPORTS TOURNAMENTS

37 ANTIQUE TRACTOR PULLS

42 GLOSSARY FOR THE RODEO

45 THE ROOTS OF RODEO IN IDAHO 51 THE DUTCH OVEN COOKOFF

48 THE OAKLEY RODEO

49 THANK YOU CITY OF OAKLEY

43 THE ROOTS OF RODEO HISTORY 50 THE GYMKHANA YOUT RODEO

52 CHUCKWAGON BREAKFAST

53 CAR SHOW

54 VENDORS IN THE PARK

55 GOOSE CREEK RUNOFF

56 MARKET ON MAIN

57 CHANNELING HOPE

58 PIRATES OF PENZANC

59 QUILT SHOW

60 LUNCH IN THE PARK

75 RODEO RECIPES

62 MEET THE OAKLEY VIGILANTES

73 WORD UNSCRAMBLE GAME

76 OAKLEY CROSSWORD

77 OAKLEY POOL

80 OAKLEY MUSUEM

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WELCOME TO THE OAKLEY PIONEER DAYS CELEBRATION! The Oakley Vigilantes would like to welcome everyone to the Oakley Pioneer Days Celebration 2025! We have many events planned during the week for us all to enjoy together as family and friends.

I would like to thank all of the members of the Vigilante Board as well as all the volunteers that help make this week possible. Without your help, this event would no longer be feasible. We are extremely blessed to live in an area where people are willing to help and offer their service when it is needed. Please know that whether you help at the gates, cook shack, events at the park, rodeo, or behind the scenes, the Vigilantes are so grateful for you and your willingness to help out and be a part of this celebration.

I would also like to thank all of our many sponsors that make this event possible as well. We had a great turnout of sponsors this year and because of their donations, we are able to put on a celebration this big for the community to come together and enjoy.

Last but not least, thank you all for coming to our events and making all our efforts worth it! We hope you have a great time and make many new memories. So please, enjoy your time together at the celebration! Thank you all for your support of the Oakley Vigilantes and Oakley Pioneer Days!

Cache Taylor President

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2025 VIGILANTES

Cache Taylor President

Bryce Adams Board Member

Clate Poulton Board Member

Blake Matthews Vice-President

McKay Hurst Board Member

Isaac Brown Board Member

Cheyenne Brown Secretary

Bryce Jones Board Member

Manda Winters Treasurer Brett Jones Board Member Will Cranney Board Member

Cade Taylor Board Member Reece Poulton Board Member

Jaxon Douglas Board Member McCade Peterson Board Member Spencer Peterson Board Member

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2024-2025 RODEO QUEEN MAKAYE CRANNEY

MaKaye Cranney is the 18-year-old daughter of Arden and Heidi Canney and a recent graduate of Oakley High School.

She plans to attend Utah State University in the fall. Raised in Oakley, MaKaye has always had a strong connection to her community and the western lifestyle.

Serving as the Oakley Pioneer Days Rodeo Queen has been a meaningful experience for her.

She's enjoyed the opportunity to represent her hometown, promote the sport of rodeo, and connect with people from all walks of life. The role has helped her grow as a leader and sharpen her communication and horsemanship skills. A big thank-you to the Oakley Vigilantes for all the time and hard work they put into making the Pioneer Days celebration what it is. It truly is her favorite event of the year, and she's incredibly grateful for everything they do to keep the tradition alive and make it such a special experience for the community. MaKaye also thanks her family for their ongoing support and encouragement throughout this experience.

She appreciates everything they've done to help her succeed. A big thanks to Kenzie, the queen coordinator, whose guidance and hard work have made this a memorable and positive experience. Makaye is so grateful for this opportunity, and she is so excited for the next Oakley Pioneer Days Rodeo Queen.

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2024-2025 RODEO PRINCESS LEXI ANDERSON

Hey yall my name is Lexi Anderson and I am the daughter of Dusty and Megan Anderson. I am 16 going into the 11th grade at Minico High school.

Some of my hobbies include archery, FFA, and riding horses. I’m an adventure seeker and I strive to make a positive impact in the world around me. Whether that’s exploring new horizons or meeting new people. This summer I am graduating with my CNA certification from CSI and then I plan on attending ISUs Rad tech program.

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MEET THE 2025 OAKLEY RODEO ROYALTY CONTESTANTS Memphys Cheney - Queen Contestant Memphys Cheney is the daughter of Kyle and Whittney Cheney of Burley, Idaho. Memphys will be a junior at Burley High School this year where she recently was accepted into the CNA program. She participates in High School Rodeo during the school year and the High Desert Rodeo Series during the summer where she took 1s place overall in pole bending for the 2024 Rodeo season. Memphys's hobbies include snow skiing, fishing, water skiing, competitive tumbling, and All-Star competitive cheer where her team took 2 * place at Nationals in Las Vegas. Memphys is a certified USA gymnastics coach for Topflight Tumbling and works at Frostbite. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her love of the sport of rodeo by participating in the Oakley Pioneer Days Queen contest.

Kayla Critchfield - Princess Contestant My name is Kayla Critchfield I live in Oakley id and I’m going into my freshman year and can’t wait for high school sports ! I’m so excited for the opportunity to represent my hometown!

Growing up, I was always drawn to the energy of any rodeos it’s the the sound of the announcer, the smell of dust in the air, and the powerful bond between the horses and riders. There’s something special about that world That’s why rodeo queening isn’t just about the crown or belt buckle for me it’s about representing the lifestyle I love.

Swayzee Dewsnup - Princess Contestant Hi, my name is Swayzee, and I’m 14 years old. I’m proud to be a contestant for the Oakley Pioneer Days Rodeo Princess! I’ve grown up loving the western way of life and have a big passion for horses.

When I’m not in the saddle, you can find me camping in the mountains, white water rafting, or rock climbing with my family. I love adventure and trying new things!

I’m the daughter of Garrett and Carolyn, who’ve always supported me in chasing my dreams—especially the ones that include dirt, boots, and a little bit of sparkle. Being part of this rodeo tradition means so much to me, and I’m excited to represent the values of hard work, courage, and community.

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Play I Spy In The Oakley Rodeo Arena!

Circle the items you see during Rodeo Nights at the Oakley Arena!

Rodeo Queen

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Title Fireworks Sponsor

We love calling Oakley home!

Thank you for your support!

Get To Know Cassia County

Our History Nestled in the heart of Idaho, Cassia County boasts a captivating history and a vibrant present, woven with the spirit of its pioneers and the rich cultural legacy they left behind.

Officially established on February 20, 1879, Cassia County's borders were initially drawn from Raft River to Devil Creek, with Albion as the first county seat. Its name, derived from Cassia Creek, remains a topic of local lore— some suggest it comes from the French word "cajeaur" for raft, others credit the Mormon Battalion’s James John Cazier, while many believe it's named after the cassia plant.

Cassia County's story stretches back thousands of years to its first inhabitants, the Paleo Indians, followed by the Shoshoni and Paiute tribes. The area's natural abundance made it ideal for hunting, fishing, and gathering. The arrival of white settlers began in 1866 when Charles Gamble and his cattle arrived in Raft River. By the 1860s, the trails of Cassia County, particularly the City of Rocks, became vital resting points for countless pioneers heading to Oregon and California.

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Locally Owned and Operated Call us!

In the late 19th century, the community flourished with the establishment of settlements like Malta, Elba, Almo, and Oakley. These towns were crucial centers for Mormon settlers and agricultural pioneers. By 1905, Burley was founded, and by 1918, it succeeded Albion as the county seat. The advent of irrigation, marked by the construction of the Minidoka Dam in 1904, transformed Cassia County into a powerhouse for crops like sugar beets, potatoes, and alfalfa.

We proudly provide agricultural, industrial, residential and commercial electrical services throughout Oakley and Mini-Cassia Se Hablan Espanol!

RoughPineElectric.com

@RoughPineElectric

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Title Fireworks Sponsor

Don's Repair is known for professional auto care for all makes and models. At Don's Repair excellently trained and certified technicians, with a combined 85 years of experience, will take care of all your needs. Owned by Jared Ricks, Don's Repair is a family-owned business ready to serve you for your automotive needs.

208-678-7560 www.donsrepairburley.com

Our Saturday Fireworks Show Immediately Following the Rodeo Sponsored by Northern Stone Supply and Don’s Repair (Fireworks Title Sponsors) Coordinated by Dave Birch Cap off an unforgettable Oakley Pioneer Days with a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the Southern Idaho sky! This vibrant show is the perfect finale to a day full of rodeo thrills, community celebration, and Pioneer Day traditions.

A special thanks to Dave Birch, who oversees this crowd-favorite event each year, and to all the generous sponsors who help make it possible.

View the full list of Fireworks donors in this Program.

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THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR TH SATURDAY JULY 19 FIREWORKS SHOW POSSIBLE! TITLE SPONSORS: NORTHERN STONE SUPPLY & DON’S REPAIR CITY OF OAKLEY ADAMS PETROLUEM LT. GOVERNOR SCOTT BEDKE GOLDEN VALLEY BEEF AMI SUPPLY STREAMLINE PRECISION PICKETT’S RANCH AND SHEEP ADVANTAGE AGRONOMY INC. 3 BAR CATTLE HALVERSON TRUCKING

SUNDANCE HOTEL & SALON GARLEENE INC WESTFALL AND WESTFALL CPAS KELLYS BEARING LLOYD BROS. CONCRETE RIMROCK HEATING AND AC CRANNEY FARMS CORREA PALLETS CACTUS RANCH DAVID CRITCHFIELD FAMILY

DON & MARG CRANER LAND VIEW INC BEDKE STACKED RANCH SOUTH HILLS ELECTRIC WINECUP RANCHES BURLEY REFRIGERATION OAKLEY BOOSTER CLUB BUD PRESBA CONSTRUCTION HUB INSURANCE ZOLLINGER HORSE RANCH

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Grand Marshalls Jerry and Renee Wells Fifty-seven years of living and learning, tackling life and taking it in together has made the 2025 Oakley Pioneer Days Grand Marshalls a team.

Jerry Wells was born on Feb. 26, 1943, at his grandparents Stephen and Thurza Hunter Paskett’s home on south Marion Road in Oakley, because a winter storm kept his parents from traveling to Burley for his birth.

When that storm lifted, Jerry went with his family to the Wells family home in the Basin, east of Oakley, where he spent his childhood and teenage years, learning the principles of honesty, hard work and integrity from his father, Claude Wells, and his mother, Margaret Paskett Wells, until his graduation from Oakley High School in 1961.

He immediately joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was sent to San Diego, California. The next four years he spent serving his country in California, Okinawa and Japan, with his military release coming just days before the heavy onset of the Vietnam War. Jerry returned home and was soon called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the New England State Mission, under the leadership of President Boyd K. Packer.

He served in the states of Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire, and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada.

During that time, Renee Rosecrans (Wells), his future wife, moved with her family to Oakley, Idaho in July 1966. She was introduced to the church by high school friends and became a member of the church just months before Jerry returned from his mission at Thanksgiving, in November 1967.

The couple met just a week later at a church meeting in the (then) Oakley 1st Ward…and the rest is history.

Jerry and Renee were married, Dec. 28, 1968, in the Oakley Stake Center and have welcomed 10 children, Stephen, Kim, Bryan, KC, Erik, Jared, Tom, Amanda, Joe and Kayla, to their family, as well as one very special foster son, Ryan Kingsland. His sister, Chantelle McCarty also lived with them for a period. They are grandparents to 43 and great grandparents to 30.

After Stephen was born, Jerry and Renee moved to Moscow, Idaho, where Jerry pursued a college degree in teaching Industrial Arts (shop) at the military personal high school level.

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After his graduation, the couple moved their family to Garden. Valley, Idaho, where he taught and coached Football, Boys Basketball and Girls Track for seven years. They added two sons to their family while here. During that time, he served as the secretary, then Branch President of the Garden Valley LDS Branch, when it was just a fledgling dependent branch, and the couple has watched from afar as it has grown to an independent ward in the Emmett Idaho Stake.

In 1979, because of Jerry’s father’s declining health, the couple opted to move back home in case they were needed here. They settled in the View area, a part of the Oakley Idaho Stake and lived there for 16 years, where the remainder of their 10 children were born. In 1995 they purchased property in Oakley, where they could at long last fulfill the lifetime dream of “coming home,” returning to Oakley in November 1995; and since that time, Oakley has been their home.

Upon returning to the area, Jerry was employed by the Minidoka School District, Amalgamated Sugar Factory, Cameron’s Equipment, and S&A Farms, before beginning his career as a maintenance mechanic/welder for the Burley Irrigation District in 1986.

That same year, he signed up to join the Idaho Air National Guard, serving for the next 17 years twice monthly as head cook of the ANG Food Service, until he was forced, by age, to retire in 2003. Those years took him all over the world in service for our country, including a four-month tour of duty during Desert Storm, during the Iraqi War, helping to free Kuwait. There, he served on the Air National Guard Honor Guard, responsible for conducting Mortuary services for military members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. He served a total of 21 years – four as a U.S. Marine, and 17 as a member of the Idaho Air National Guard.

He retired from the irrigation district as a full-time employee in 2006 but has returned every summer season to work part-time there. In addition, he drives harvest truck in the potatoes and beets for various local. At the age of 82, his biggest desire is that his health holds out so that he never really has to fully retire.

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He believes his greatest connection to the Oakley Community, is the opportunities that have come his way to serve others whenever and wherever he has been needed.

Renee spent the first 21 years of their marriage raising their family, then began a 26-year career as a journalist. She wrote for one year for the Minidoka New Journal, then as a jobassignment reporter for the South Idaho Press. Her favorite beats were high-school sports, Special Olympics, and Spot News, although she had a nose for news and would chase (or follow) a story anywhere it took her. She left there after 17 years. She then worked for the Weekly New Journal for three years. Her last stint as a journalist was at The Voice, where she helped to create a new local weekly paper and proudly served as its reporter and Managing Editor, until her retirement in 2013.

She returned to college and completed an associate’s degree at CSI in 2015. For the next six years, Renee worked as a para-professional and substitute teacher for the Cassia School District. In 2022, she began working for MDC, a local company serving adults with special needs. She still works nearly full-time in this capacity.

During the years since they came back to this area, Renee has also been involved in some of the OVAC productions, as an assistant director to Steve Mitton when they performed Blythe Spirit, helping with one of the Joseph productions and performing in OVAC’s first summer theater and melodrama in 2023, as OVAC was working to raise money to reroof the Howells’ Opera House, as well as watching some of her children gain their acting experience there. She helped Kathy Payton start the Oakley Pioneer Days Farm Market that is now held annually during the celebration, on the north side of Main Street, across from the park.

The best part of living in Oakley is that no matter where they have gone, it seems like someone either came from Oakley, had family in Oakley, had been to Oakley, or knew something significant about this great little community’s history. Maybe that is because Oakley truly is the best little town in America.

Jerry and Renee Wells are humbled to be asked to be this year’s Grand Marshalls and look forward to participating in the Pioneer Day’s festivities and leading the parade.

Thank you Jerry and Renee Wells!

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RAY LAMAR BRONSON & GALE MAUREEN OSTERHOUT

HONORED PIONEERS

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Ray LaMar Bronson and Gale Maureen Osterhout. Ray was born in Elba on November 2, 1940 to LaMar Bronson and Leta Jones. Ray has one brother, Ruben, and three sisters DelJeanne, Sherry, and Sharlene. When Ray was 5 years old, his family moved to View. LaMar and Leta bought a 20-acre farm from Floyd Knight. Life was simple as a child for Ray. His family was happy.

They ate their meals at the kitchen table as a family. They didn’t have TV, so they entertained themselves by reading, singing, dancing, attending church on Sunday, attending Primary, attending mutual and going to school. They still had chores to do like milking the cows which they did twice a day. They would ride bicycles, horses, and invent things to do. Ray's school experiences started in August of 1946. He liked school. Ray remembers the day his family went to the Logan Temple to be sealed as an eternal family. He was 12 years old. He knows now that it was important to his dad to get them to the Temple because 2 yrs and 2 months later he passed away. Ray and his brother, Ruben tried out for an exchange assembly. They went to other schools and performed. Ray graduated high school in 1959. He joined the Navy on August 30, 1960. Ray went to boot camp in San Diego, California. While serving in the Navy Ray saw many places and things people dream about. After he got out of the Navy, Ray found a job in Pocatello. Most weekends were spent in Burley. One weekend, he asked his sister-in-law to get him a date with a girl that he had met a couple of years earlier: that’s how he reconnected with Gale. Soon after, they were married. Ray worked at Kraft in Rupert for many years and Retired in 1996. After retiring he became a truck driver and still drives occasionally. Gale Maureen Osterhout was born on May 11, 1945 on Mother’s day. Gale was born to Kenneth Osterhout and Melba Rassmussen.

She has four sisters and two brothers. Gale grew up in Declo. Her earliest memories of growing up were riding horses, swimming in the lateral, and playing by the creek. They had chickens growing up. Every morning she would get up early to gather the eggs. Gale always had to take naps in the afternoon. She loved playing with her dolls. She had a dog named rags and loved to dress him up in doll clothes and push him around in her baby buggy.

Rags loved to go for rides. Growing up in Declo was fun, and she had many adventures. She attended school in Declo. Declo was a bustling town in the ‘60s. The main road to Salt Lake went right through town. There were two service stations, a grocery store, soda shop, and Shaw’s grocery and cafe’ down by the school. On Gale’s first date, she knew Ray was the one. Gale cleaned houses and worked as a food demonstrator. She worked at Klink’s florist for 9 years. On January 22, 1965 Ray and Gale were married in the Declo Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together they had eight children: James, Cal, Lorri, Glenna, Clint, Lee, Danny, and Lisa. They lived in Pocatello and Oregon before settling in View. They bought a little house from Burt Silcox. It was small, but it was home. After living there for about a year and a half tragedy struck. Their home caught on fire July 2, 1969. They lost their two babies: Cal age 3 and Lorri age 2. Everything happened so fast.

After time, they learned to live with it, but you never get over it. They purchased a modular home and put it on the property. Ray and Gale still live there. On November 3, 1972, Ray and Gale were sealed in the Logan Temple.

Ray says, “Happiness is knowing we can be a forever family, if we keep our covenants. We need to strive to get our family members to the Temple.” Ray and Gale have had many accomplishments. Ray is a very talented musician who plays guitar, sings, and has passed on his love of music to his children and grandchildren. He and his siblings had a band and performed all over the Magicvalley. Ray has continued the band with his children and still puts on a dance for senior citizens twice a month. Together, Ray and Gale developed a passion for woodworking, spending countless hours building and crafting with their hands. They used to make rocking horses, stick horses, desks, wooden chests for their children’s Christmas presents and decorate their home. They made 2x4 furniture, couches, end tables and coffee tables. Gale is a talented artist whose paintings and handmade crafts reflect her creativity and attention to detail. Their home and lives are filled with the beauty of things they’ve created. In addition to their artistic talents, Ray and Gale have always been dedicated to helping others. They have served in many capacities in the Church, including as local missionaries, temple cleaners, and building cleaners. Ray also served in the Elder’s Quorum Presidency, Scouting, and the Bishopric, while Gale held callings in the Relief Society Presidency, Primary, Scouting, and many other areas. Together, Ray and Gale have built a legacy of love, strength, and faith that continues to inspire those who know them.

HONORED PIONEER SHIRLEY JEAN HARPER HALFORD HUBBARD

Shirley Jean Harper Halford Hubbard was born in Oakley in Dr. Sutton’s Medical Office located upstairs over the bank and jail, west of the Oakley Park December 14, 1944 to Richard Golden and Nelda Harper. Golden served as the marshal of Oakley for many years. As the youngest of 10 siblings, she grew up in Oakley where and her family lived in the Howell Mansion. Shirley attended school and was active in the drill team, band and drama. She attended Steven Henager’s Business College in Salt Lake City and worked for Zion’s Bank after graduation. She soon decided to return to Oakley and met Richard Halford from the Unity/View area. After several dates, they were married February 3, 1967 at the Unity Ward Church. They settled onto the Halford farm and Dick farmed with his dad,

Howard. She soon became adapt at driving the tractor and setting irrigation tubes. Shirley had the opportunity to become a Licensed Practical Nurse through Cassia Memorial Hospital. After graduation, she worked in the New Born Nursery at Cassia Memorial hospital for several years. Unfortunately, Dick passed away in 1996. Shirley and the kids stayed on the farm. She went on to be an EMT, then an Advanced EMT, working for both Cassia and Minidoka Hospitals. She was instrumental in starting the West Cassia Quick Response Unit for Cassia County and traveled around the entire state of Idaho teaching EMT, CPR and first aid classes to many organizations, large and small.

She soon saw a need for an Emergency Medical Technician Class at the high school level and was able to bring the EMT Class to the Cassia Regional Technical Center in Burley where she taught classes for several years. She received an award from the State of Idaho Education Department for her teaching abilities. She currently helps the students at the tech center every year to get them certified and gives scholarships to students, if they need the help. She gained her Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Resources where she learned to write grants that serve first responder agencies across the Mini-Cassia area. She actively works at Morrison Payne/Hansen Funeral Home and Dr. Hansen’s Chiropractic office.

Shirley married Andrew Hubbard and brought two more children to the family. After Andy passed away, she adopted his two children in order for them to stay in the family.

In 1999, she felt the promptings and the Spirit and took out her Endowments. She has held many church callings in the View Ward. She and her friend, Marsha Wilmoth, have traveled to many temples in the United States and Canada with her favorite being Nauvoo and has been there on three separate occasions.

Shirley retains her certifications and actively works in the Emergency Medical Profession, Search and Rescue and as a Reserve Deputy for Cassia & Minidoka Counties. Her goals are to follow the teachings and grow a deeper appreciation of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ by continuing to follow the promptings of the Spirit and to work in in the new Burley Temple. Her priorities are spending more time with family, traveling and continue to be an active member of the medical community.

To date, she has six children, seventeen grandchildren, two great grandchildren and enjoys her posterity whenever possible.

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HONORED PIONEERS FLOY AND RAEDEAN MORRISON.

Floy John Morrison was born in 1939 in Burley, He graduated from Burley High School in 1957. He served his mission in the Great Lakes mission. RaeDean Petersen was born in 1942 in Wellsville, UT and later moved to Rupert, ID and graduated from Minico High School in 1960. They both have valiant pioneer heritage. Floy is a descendant of William Clayton, the author of the hymn “Come Come ye Saints” and RaeDean is the 3rd great grand daughter to Hyrum Smith.

Floy and RaeDean were married and sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1961. They moved to Oakley in 1968 where Floy continued his career at Idaho Power. While working at Idaho Power, Floy received The National Life Saving Award signed

by President Nixon for saving the life of a colleague who had been hit by a high voltage line. RaeDean also had a long career driving school bus. She drove the Basin route for 20 years and 6 years at Golden Valley, along with many trips with the Oakley sports teams. Floy and RaeDean have been a staple in the Oakley community where they have served many years with the Oakley Vigilantes specifically in the cook shack. They were one of the founders of the Oakley Valley Arts Council and RaeDean spent many hours painting scenery with her friend Janet Burch for over 20 years. Floy and Delroy Mitton were pioneers in raising funds and starting Little League football in Oakley. He coached 18 years starting in 1968. Floy also served on the Oakley City Council. They are active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have served faithfully their entire lives, including service in the Boise and Twin Falls temples, as well as a service mission at the Oakley Stake Camp. Their greatest joy was raising their 5 children, Craig, Kerry, Kevin, Christy, and KaeLynn in the great Oakley valley.

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and Christine Chesley have HONORED PIONEERS - Michael shared a life rooted in faith, family, and a MICHAEL & CHRISTINEdeep love for the Oakley and Burley communities. Christine was born in 1947 CHESLEY in Jerome, Idaho, and spent her early

years visiting the Oakley Valley, where her father dreamed of returning to the land he once farmed. That dream became a reality when the Tilby family homesteaded near Oakley, drilling their own well, building their home, and living simply—but joyfully—without electricity or running water for a time. Christine recalls these years fondly and credits them for shaping her deep appreciation for hard work and the land.

Christine met Michael on her first day of school in Burley—both saxophone players in band—and the two have been together ever since. Michael was born in Burley in 1947 and raised on the north side of town by devoted parents, Verl and Susie Chesley. After graduating from Weber State and BYU, he pursued a career in education, earning multiple degrees and serving as a music teacher, principal, and eventually Superintendent of Schools for both Murtaugh and Cassia County. Christine supported the family while raising their six children: Michelle, Marc, Aaron, Jason, Chris, and Mary.

Together, Mike and Christine served two missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—one in Ukraine and another in Kazakhstan—experiences they consider among the greatest blessings of their lives. Today, they enjoy spending time with their 27 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Their lives are a testament to the values of service, dedication, and strong pioneer roots.

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In 1982, after 6 years of marriage and living in the

HONORED PIONEERS - Salt Lake City, Utah area, Rod drug Marilyn, kicking and screaming, back to Idaho. They had recently ROD AND MARILYN KING adopted a little girl. Amy, the baby, was born

premature and only weighed 3 pounds 9 ounces.

The first few nights in Idaho, Amy’s crib was a heavy duty Tony Llama Cowboy boot box. They soon found a little farmhouse in Oakley that would shelter their little family.

Marilyn Jeanne Parker graduated cum laude with an associate degree in nursing from Brigham Young University and has worked as a nurse for over 50 years, serving our community at Cassia Regional Hospital in the intensive care unit, med/surge floor, as ICU manager, Head Nurse of Med/surge, nursing educator, and same day surgery.

While working, she studied textbooks and challenged nursing courses at Idaho State University, earning her bachelor's degree the hard way.

Roderick Leon King worked on a ranch during the early part of their marriage for $550 per month. It was a lot of fun but wasn’t paying the bills. He returned to college and graduated with a degree in secondary ed/science. He taught and coached JV basketball for the next 10 years and then landed THE JOB- Equine Services Director at the Idaho Youth Ranch.

He managed the horse and cattle programs and developed a therapeutic horse assisted psychotherapy program for the residents there. When the Youth Ranch closed the Norland campus and moved operations to the Boise Valley, Rod bought a small herd of cattle. This was accomplished by Marilyn being a smart and capable money manager/saver.

Marilyn and Rod welcomed 4 grand daughters into their home. Not really what they planned to do while nearing retirement but they cherished the chance to make a difference in their lives. Lexie, Aaliyah, Kadi and Ashlyn are loved and they (Rod and Marilyn) are grateful for the chance to care for them.

Horses have always been a big part of their family. Rod successfully showed Reined Cow Horses and the girls participated in the 4H horse program for many years winning championships in horse show classes, working Ranch horse, and over all high point awards. Marilyn hasn't ridden much since 1995 after she was thrown and fractured two vertebrae but has always supported Rod and the girls by her attendance and help.

Rod and Marilyn are currently serving a service mission for the church. Their responsibilities include inspecting missionary housing units and doing minor repairs in Oakley, Malta, Declo and Jackpot.

They have grown to love Oakley and appreciate the many great people that live here.

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HONORED PIONEERS AL & KATHY BARRUS

Al and Kathy Barrus can catch you off guard. Al was born in Wendell, Idaho and Kathy in Hayward, California. They weren’t exactly next-door neighbors. As a young man. Al spent a year in college in Moscow, Idaho, where he found his testimony strengthened before serving a 2-year mission in Brazil. After his mission, Al went to BYU to finish his undergraduate work. There he met Kathy, a convert, who worked hard to pay her own way to a church school after her baptism and focused on her studies, ultimately earning degrees in journalism and sociology with an emphasis in criminal behavior. After their marriage the couple returned to Moscow, where Al spent another 3 years in law school. Al and Kathy were certainly primed to be quite the power couple, wouldn't you say? A home teaching assignment led to an opportunity to practice law in Cassia County. Four months after practicing law with Herman Bedke, Al was appointed to the position of Prosecuting Attorney for Cassia County, a position he held for many years, spending 36 years in the prosecutor's office and an impressive 42 years practicing law, including 40 years serving as an attorney for the city of Oakley. If practice makes perfect, Al Barrus became one heck of a lawyer.

No doubt, with all his experience I could have been regaled with stories of impressive cases and courtroom victories and given Al’s impressive involvement in helping to prevent the infamous almost flood of 84, he certainly could blow his own horn just a little. But he doesn’t. Al quietly defers to those he has worked with and praises the efforts of others before himself. And Kathy is equally humble. Both have served in a number of church callings, none they brag about, and teaching a youth Sunday School class a proclaimed favorite. One topic alone brings a touch of pride to the voices of Al and Kathy Barrus. And that topic is family.

When Al suggested to Kathy that she take her turn to attend law school, she felt it was a better time for starting their post education life and turning thoughts to family. In fact, after a brief time writing for the South Idaho Press, Kathy left a career behind to focus on her family, specifically their children. Al and Kathy worked through LDS social service to adopt their first son, Spencer and later, their first daughter, Amanda. After Spencer and Amanda had joined the family, Al and Kathy, became parents to Kelsey, a daughter from South Korea. Al made the trip to South Korea to pick up their 3-month-old daughter. With Kelsey strapped to his chest, the return flight back to the States created quite a stir with a plane full of South Korean mothers and grandmas, who made no secret of their concern. Could this big man actually care for this infant? Little did they know. With three kids at home, Al and Kathy became foster parents and their foster child, Sam, became available for adoption, the Barrus’s were more than happy to begin the process, only to be told that, as foster parents, they were ineligible. Though at the time, this was the law, Al suggested to those in the decision-making seats that perhaps he should leave his formal law practice behind so they could discuss this adoption matter full time in court. After a series of meetings, it was determined the law should indeed change and the couple welcomed Sam officially to the family.

The change in this law opened the doors for countless other foster parents and who can say how many families have since been created because Al Barrus and his wife, Kathy, refused to accept the status quo. Kathy felt sure there was one more child out there who belonged their family and sure enough, their daughter Kylie arrived from South Korea on New Year’s Eve. Al became a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, 1 of 2 members in Idaho at the time. He specialized in adoption and aided in the creation of countless families beside his own, naming these experiences the highlights of his career.

Their children grown, Al and Kathy served a mission together in Brazil from 2016-2018, a wonderful experience. They currently have 9 grandchildren, 8 boys and one very outnumbered girl.

They recently spent some time with the whole family together and you should see them beam as they speak of it. A power couple? You bet! I don’t think they know it though.

I don’t know that Al considers his work with adoption as pioneering, though it undoubtedly was.

Al and Kathy definitely caught me off guard. I left their home reminded of the Lord's hand in each of our lives and in the creation of every family. Al and Kathy will tell you; He puts the right people in the right place at the right time. Now that is the faith of pioneers for you.

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was born to Ennis Matthews and HONORED PIONEERS - Tina Mabel Sutton Matthews, raised on a ranch Oakley, Idaho, where we worked cattle TINA & BRENT SEARLE inmoving pastures, sorting, salting and

repairing fences. Every spring we moved cattle to our ranch in Almo to summer range. It was a two-day trip and involved all the family. As hard as it was, it’s my best memories ever.

I graduated from Oakley High School in 1974, representing Oakley Vigilantes as reigning Rodeo Queen that year.

Brent graduated from Burley High School; is the son of Eldon Searle and Gwen Kidd Searle, he grew up in the View area, south of Burley. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1974-1976, in the Georgia Atlanta mission. In 1975 the mission was split, and he spent the last six months of his mission on the Cherokee Indian Reservation in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina.

In 1996 we blended our families into our new union, Jason, Gary, Ryan, Kevin, and Alan Bliss.

Ryan Searle, Lacey Sharp, and Nicole Justesen make our family complete. Currently we have twenty-one grandkids and 1 great grandson we call the frosting on the cake.

In 2000 Searle’s C Store was established in the heart of Oakley Idaho. We served our community, catering to the school kids and all their activities, lunch time was the best – kids came and went. Then somedays they just came and stayed to visit with their friends and waited for their activity to begin.

Brent learned to be a real cook! His breakfast menu was “any combination” of burritos, eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, toast etc. When the breakfast combination was complete, it was many times named after that specific person, the “Randy Kidd” special was one of the most popular breakfast specials.

We fed farmers, ranchers, quarry workers, sightseers, bus drivers, fishermen, hikers, firefighters, and KIDS. In 2012 when lightning struck the west hills and burned summer cattle range, we packed breakfasts and lunches to be taken to the fire homebase camps. Our town really pulls together and makes the best of any devastating situation.

In 2020 we sold “Searle’s”; it was a bittersweet time for all. Brent could not just slowdown..

He missed the people; being their counselor, a shoulder to cry on, a mentor and everything in between. We appreciate the support our community has given to us. Thank you, Oakley Idaho and all surrounding areas. We love that we can call this valley Home.

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Lijenquist Chiropractic 1600 Overland Ave, Burley, ID 83318 (208) 678-2631

THE OAKLEY PARADE! Celebrate the spirit of our community with a colorful and lively parade in Downtown Oakley. Plan on being in Downtown Oakley by 5:00 PM on Saturday, July 18th The 2025 Parade is Sponsored by Conrad and Bischoff.

The Parade will be livestreamed through our Facebook page for those unable to attend, but trust us, it is better in person.

Thank you to Parade Superintendents Buffy Cooper!

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Play our Oakley Pioneer Days Word Search!

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Live Music & Street Dance Friday July 18th Enjoy a summer evening under the stars with live music and a free street dance on Main Street by Clark’s Grocery.

Join us Friday, July 18th right after the rodeo—bring your boots and your friends for a good old-fashioned smalltown celebration!

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THE BUMP N RUB Bump-n-Rub is one of the most electrifying highlights of Oakley Pioneer Days, bringing spectators and participants together in a showcase of high-octane action.

Each year, for the last 17 years, daring drivers take to the track, creating a thrilling spectacle of collisions, roaring engines, and edge-of-your-seat excitement.

Join us at this beloved event and see for yourself why Bump-n-Rub remains a mustsee tradition that keeps fans coming back year after year!

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JULY 11

& 12

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AT 7PM

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K i d s C o r n e r

Proud Sponsor of the Oakley Pioneer Days!

We love Oakley!

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Our Sports Tournaments

Thanks for supporting local!

(208) 678-5509

Oakley Pioneer Days isn’t just about rodeos and parades—it’s also about competition, camaraderie, and community spirit on the court and the field!

🏐 4-on-4 Co-Ed Volleyball Tournament

Held under the summer evening sky on the Oakley High School Football Field, the annual volleyball tournament is always a high-energy kickoff to Pioneer Days. Thanks to the generous support of Wybenga Dairy, teams from across the area battled it out for bragging rights—all while raising funds for the Oakley High School Volleyball Program. A special thank you to Bryn Cranney for organizing this exciting and meaningful event. Spectators enjoyed a fun, family-friendly night of volleyball, and a silent auction added even more community connection.

🏀 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament

From 1st grade to Open League, players of all ages took to the hardwood in this fast-paced tournament inside the OHS Gyms. Split over two days, Friday evening and Saturday morning, the courts were filled with energy, teamwork, and some serious hoops action.

Many thanks to Kelly Bearing & Steel for sponsoring the event, and to coordinators Jordan Cranney and Kristin Jones for keeping things running smoothly. Whether playing or cheering, this tournament brought our community together for some unforgettable matchups.

Both events were free to watch and showcased just one more way our town celebrates tradition, talent, and togetherness.

We see them all, great and small.

At Burley Veterinary Hospital, we provide comprehensive veterinary services to keep your furry friends healthy and happy.

BurleyVet.com

@BurleyVetHospital

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Antique Tractor Pulls

Step back in time and witness raw horsepower at work during one of Oakley Pioneer Days' most nostalgic and exciting events—the Antique Tractor Pulls! On Wednesday, July 16th at 7:00 PM at the Oakley Rodeo Grounds, vintage tractors from across the region will dig in and drag heavy sleds in a friendly show of strength, grit, and old-school machinery.

orders@burleybranding.com www.BurleyBranding.com @BurleyBranding (208) 678-1575

Whether you're a lifelong farming enthusiast or simply love a good competition, this event offers something for all ages. Fizz Farm will be on site serving up treats, so bring the family, grab a snack, and enjoy an evening of roaring engines and community fun under the summer sky.

Sponsored by D&A Companies, we’re grateful for their support in helping keep this beloved tradition alive and thriving. A special thanks to Skyler Silcock for coordinating this unforgettable event.

Formerly “Corporate Image”

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Double L is now part of the Barclay Truck Rebuilder Family!

New to Rodeo? That’s Okay. This Glossary Can Help!

Barrel Racing: A timed event where a horse and rider must navigate a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. Speed and precision are key.

Bareback Riding: A roughstock event where the cowboy rides a horse without a saddle, holding on with a rigging. Riders are judged on their control and style.

Breakaway Roping: A timed event where a cowboy or cowgirl ropes a calf, and the rope "breaks away" from the saddle horn when the calf is caught. It showcases speed and skill in roping.

Bronc Riding: Includes both Saddle Bronc and Bareback Bronc events, where riders attempt to stay on a bucking horse for eight seconds, judged on their style and the horse's performance.

Bucking Chute: A narrow stall-like enclosure that holds livestock, such as bulls and broncs, before release for a ride.

Bull Riding: A thrilling event where a rider attempts to stay on a bucking bull for eight seconds, scored based on the bull’s bucking and the rider’s skill.

Calf Roping: Also known as tie-down roping, this event involves roping a calf, dismounting, and tying three of its legs in the shortest time possible.

Chaps: Protective leather leggings worn by rodeo competitors to protect against falls and contact with the animal.

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Chute Dogging: A steer wrestling event where the competitor attempts to bring a steer to the ground as quickly as possible, starting from a chute.

Dally: The technique of wrapping the rope around the saddle horn after a catch, used in team roping and calf roping events.

Flank Strap: A padded strap placed around a horse or bull’s flank to encourage bucking. It does not harm the animal and is a standard part of rodeo equipment.

Hazer: In steer wrestling, the cowboy who rides alongside the steer to keep it running straight for the competitor to dismount.

Roughstock: Refers to the bucking animals used in bronc riding, bareback riding, and bull riding events.

Saddle Bronc Riding: A classic rodeo event where the rider uses a specialized saddle and rein, judged on style and control as well as the horse’s performance.

Slack: Extra runs or performances held outside the main event schedule, often used for larger rodeos to accommodate all competitors.

Steer Wrestling: Also known as bulldogging, this timed event involves jumping off a horse onto a steer and wrestling it to the ground as quickly as possible.

Timed Events: Events where the competitor with the fastest time wins, including barrel racing, team roping, and calf roping.

Header and Heeler: In team roping, the header ropes the steer’s horns, and the heeler ropes its hind legs. This event requires coordination and teamwork.

Mutton Bustin: A junior rodeo event where young children ride sheep, often serving as an introduction to rodeo sports for kids.

Pickup Man: A cowboy who assists roughstock riders in safely dismounting and controlling the animal after the ride.

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Reride: An additional opportunity given to a rider when the initial ride was affected by circumstances beyond their control, such as equipment failure or poor performance by the animal.

The Roots of Rodeo: From Ranch to Arena The History of Rodeo, a quintessentially American sport, has deep roots in the rugged and adventurous lifestyle of the Old West. Emerging from the daily work of ranchers and cowboys, rodeo's evolution is a testament to the skill and spirit of those who lived and worked on the vast cattle ranches of the late 19th century. Today, it stands as a vibrant celebration of tradition, athleticism, and the enduring legacy of cowboy culture.

The origins of rodeo can be traced back to the early Spanish settlers and Mexican vaqueros who brought cattle ranching traditions to the Americas.

As American settlers moved westward in the 1800s, these traditions melded with the practices of cowboys on the open range, who were responsible for herding and tending cattle. The skills necessary for this demanding work, such as riding, roping, and herding, became the foundation for what would eventually become competitive rodeo events.

The first informal competitions, or "rodeos," likely occurred when neighboring ranches gathered to test the mettle of their cowboys in friendly contests. These gatherings provided an opportunity for cowboys to showcase their skills, settle disputes, and enjoy a bit of camaraderie. It wasn’t long before these informal contests gained popularity and evolved into organized events, attracting spectators who were eager to witness the cowboy prowess in action.

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The first recorded rodeo took place in 1869 in Deer Trail, Colorado, where cowboys competed in various events for bragging rights and modest prizes. By the late 1800s, rodeos were being held across the western United States, complete with bleachers and entry fees, transforming from casual ranch gatherings into major public spectacles.

As rodeo gained popularity, its structure became more formalized, leading to the establishment of standard events like bronc riding, steer wrestling, and calf roping, each designed to test a cowboy's speed, agility, and endurance. The addition of bull riding, barrel racing, and team roping soon followed.

In 1929, the Rodeo Association of America (now the PRCA or Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) was formed to create uniform rules and standards, further legitimizing the sport. Today, rodeos are held worldwide, from the small town circuits of the United States to international arenas, with the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) and the National Finals Rodeo drawing thousands of fans and participants.

Rodeo remains a living tribute to its historic roots, celebrating the enduring cowboy ethos and the pioneering spirit that helped shape the American West. Through its thrilling events and vibrant community, rodeo continues to captivate audiences, honoring the traditions of the past while forging new paths in the world of sports entertainment.

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Rodeo in Idaho: A Legacy of Grit and Tradition Idaho’s rodeo history is a proud testament to the state’s deep-rooted cowboy culture and pioneering spirit. From the rugged landscapes of the Snake River Valley to the rolling hills of the Magic Valley, rodeo has been a cornerstone of Idaho’s rural communities for over a century.

The origins of rodeo in Idaho can be traced back to the late 19th century when early settlers and ranchers brought with them the traditions of cattle herding and horse riding. As ranching communities grew, so did the practice of showcasing skills in friendly competitions. By the early 1900s, these informal contests had evolved into organized rodeos, reflecting the skills and grit of Idaho’s cowboys One of the earliest recorded and cowgirls. rodeos in Idaho took place in the 1910s in Idaho Falls, marking the beginning of a tradition that would become deeply ingrained in the state’s culture. Events such as bronc riding, steer wrestling, and roping showcased the abilities of local ranchers and attracted crowds eager to experience the excitement of the rodeo. 45

The establishment of the Idaho Rodeo Association in 1946 helped formalize the sport, bringing together various rodeo events under standardized rules and regulations. This move further elevated the sport’s profile and helped create a structured framework for rodeos across the state.

Idaho’s rodeo scene is renowned for its blend of tradition and innovation. The annual Idaho Rodeo Circuit Finals and the famed Caldwell Night Rodeo are highlights of the state’s rodeo calendar, drawing both locals and tourists. These events celebrate the skill and heritage of Idaho’s rodeo community, while also showcasing the evolution of the sport from its humble beginnings.

Today, rodeo in Idaho remains a vibrant expression of the state’s rich history and cowboy ethos. It continues to be a beloved tradition that honors the past while embracing the future, embodying the spirit of adventure and resilience that defines Idaho.

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2024

OAKLEY RODEO PICTURES

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Rodeo in Oakley: Our Legacy and Tradition Friday, July 18 & Saturday, July 19 - 7PM Saddle up for two thrilling nights of rodeo action at one of Idaho’s most historic celebrations— the Oakley Pioneer Days Rodeo, a proud tradition since 1882!

This open rodeo brings the heat with classic and crowd-favorite events: Bareback • Saddle Bronc • Ranch Broncs • Bull Riding Barrel Racing • Tie Down Roping • Steer Wrestling Breakaway Roping • Team Roping (Open & #10) Saturday Night wraps up with Wild Cow Riding and a Fireworks Show!

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Friday is Patriot Night All Veterans & Active Duty Military receive free admission in honor of their service.

After Friday’s rodeo, head downtown for Live Music & Dancing on Main Street by Smith’s Café.

🍧 Fizz Farm will be on site both nights with sweet treats and cool drinks!

Friday Night Rodeo Sponsored by: Republic Services – Western Waste Saturday Night Rodeo Sponsored by: Red Mountain Resource

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THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF OAKLEY FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Mayor Elizabeth Cooper Ralph Barnard, City Council Al Lowe, City Council Brett Arnell, City Council Tyann Corbett, City Council Jared Mitton, City Administrator Dannika Colson, City Clerk Oakley Fire Department Oakley Quick Response Unit Cassia County Sheriff

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Gymkhana Youth Rodeo Kick off the rodeo weekend with the high-energy excitement of the Gymkhana Youth Rodeo, where the next generation of rodeo stars take the spotlight! Open to amateur contestants age 16 and under, this action-packed evening is one of the most heartwarming and thrilling events of Oakley Pioneer Days.

From Mutton Bustin’ to Bull Riding, and everything in between, the Gymkhana showcases courage, skill, and pure fun. Whether you're a proud parent, a cheering sibling, or just a fan of good old-fashioned rodeo entertainment, you won’t want to miss this unforgettable family night.

Thursday, July 17 Oakley Rodeo Grounds Regular admission tickets available at the gate Fizz Farm will be on site with sweet treats!

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A special thanks to our event sponsors, Farmer’s Corner and Burley Branding Co., for making this cherished tradition possible. And a huge shoutout to all the volunteers and families that help bring it to life!

Order of Events: Mutton Bustin’ (1st Section), Barrel Racing (All Ages), Mutton Bustin’ (2nd Section), Breakaway Roping, Team Roping, Calf Riding, Pole Bending (All Ages), Calf Chase (Open to all 16 and under, no entry needed), Steer Riding, Toboggan Race, Bull Riding All non-arena events will take place by the Vigilante Trailer, just west of the bucking chutes.

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Sponsored by Scrivanich Stone Friday, July 18th 2:00 – 5:00 PM Oakley Park Pavilion Free samples start at 5:15 PM!

🕑 📍 🍽️

Get ready to savor the flavors of Oakley at one of the tastiest traditions of Pioneer Days! The Dutch Oven Cookoff brings together cooks of all ages to showcase their cast iron creations in a friendly, flavorful competition.

Whether you're a seasoned Dutch oven expert or a first-time taster, there’s something for everyone.

Categories include: Youth (Anything goes!)

DUTCH OVEN COOKOFF

Adult Desserts Adult Main Dishes Adult Breads It’s just $15 to enter and free to sample once judging is done. Stick around after 5:15 PM to try the mouthwatering results and see who takes home the bragging rights!

Big thanks to Scrivanich Stone for sponsoring this event and helping us celebrate the culinary heart of the West. Come hungry and leave happy!

Thank you to Brent Arnell for managing this event!

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Saturday, July 19th 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM • Oakley Park Start your Pioneer Days with the warm, comforting flavors of a Chuckwagon Breakfast, presented by the Oakley Booster Club. This long-standing tradition brings the community together over hearty helpings and hometown hospitality.

CHUCKWAGON BREAKFAST

Fuel up before the big day and enjoy a great morning with friends, family, and neighbors. It’s a delicious way to kick off your Saturday during Oakley Pioneer Days!

Thank you to the Oakley Booster Club for keeping this tradition alive!

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Open Class Car Show Saturday, July 19th • 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM • Oakley High School Practice Field Start your engines and head to the Open Class Car Show, where classics, customs, and one-of-a-kind vehicles take center stage! Whether you’re a lifelong gearhead or just love a good stroll among shiny chrome and roaring engines, this is a can’tmiss event.

Black Pine Project

Free to Enter or Attend All vehicles welcome—no registration fee!

Car Show entries invited to drive in the Pioneer Day Parade!

Bring the whole family and enjoy an incredible lineup of cars while celebrating the craftsmanship and creativity of local auto enthusiasts.

Contact Tuck West at 208-260-2125 for more info or to register a vehicle. Thank you Kenny Emery!

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Saturday, July 19th • All Day Wander, shop, and snack your way through Vendors in the Park, a full-day market experience right in the heart of the Oakley City Park! From handmade crafts to delicious food, this event offers something for everyone.

VENDORS IN THE PARK

Enjoy Locally made goods, Artisan creations, tasty bites and sweet treats, a festive, family-friendly atmosphere Come support small businesses and celebrate the vibrant community spirit that makes Oakley Pioneer Days so special.

Special thanks to Brent Arnell for organizing this beloved event and helping bring it all to life!

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Goose Creek Runoff 40th Anniversary Special Saturday, July 19th • Oakley City Park

minidokamemorial.org 208-436-0481 1224 8th St, Rupert, ID 83350

Lace up those sneakers—and your neon leg warmers—because the Goose Creek Run-Off is celebrating 40 years with a totally tubular 1985 throwback edition!

Whether you're a seasoned racer or just in it for fun and flair, this year's event is going to be one to remember.

Participants are encouraged to show up in their best '80s attire and enjoy a festive, communitycentered morning with scenic routes, prizes, commemorative swag, and post-race breakfast.

Race Options Include: 10K: Starts above Oakley Reservoir and winds into town.

5K: Joins the 10K route halfway, finishing in Oakley City Park.

1-Mile Kid’s Run: For children under 12, starting around 8:30 AM near the Oakley City Office.

All 10K and 5K participants receive a deluxe 2025 T-shirt, breakfast (your bib is your ticket!), and eligibility for the awards ceremony.

Celebrate this community tradition in style—like it’s 1985!

Visit goosecreekrunoff.com for full details.

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Saturday, July 19th • 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM Thank you to Kathy Payton!

Spend your Saturday soaking in the sights, smells, and small-town charm of the Market on Main!

Located near Oakley’s historic Main Street and stretching across the southeast grass area of the park, this open-air market features a wide variety of local vendors, craftsmen, and food booths.

It’s the perfect stop for: Handmade goods Unique gifts Delicious local treats And a whole lot of community spirit!

Whether you’re shopping, snacking, or just strolling with friends and family, the Market on Main is your chance to experience the heart of Oakley creativity. Come early and make a day of it —you never know what you’ll find!

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Quilt Show by the Oakley Quilt Guild Saturday, July 19th • 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM • Old Fire Station (Just West of the Park) Experience the beauty, craftsmanship, and creativity of local quilters at the Oakley Pioneer Days Quilt Show, proudly presented by the Oakley Quilt Guild. This vibrant display showcases a variety of styles —from traditional patchwork to modern designs—each one stitched with skill and heart.

Stroll through the exhibit, be inspired by the artistry, and celebrate a timeless tradition that threads together our community’s 59 talent and history.

Lunch in the Park Saturday, July 19th • 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM • Oakley City Park Presented by the Oakley Vigilantes Sponsored by Cassia Ranch Supply Take a break from the action and enjoy a delicious midday meal at Lunch in the Park, one of Oakley Pioneer Days’ most beloved traditions - delicious BBQ! Hosted by the Oakley Vigilantes, this event brings together friends, families, and neighbors for a relaxing afternoon of great food and good company under the shade of the trees.

Tickets available on-site.

Come hungry, leave happy—this is a celebration you won’t want to miss!

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History of Oakley Founded in 1878 by Mormon pioneers and ranching families, Oakley, Idaho sits in the scenic Goose Creek Valley of southern Idaho. The town was named after William Oakley, a stagecoach operator, and quickly became known for its rich farmland, springfed irrigation, and iconic Oakley stone—a distinctive quartzite still quarried and used in construction today.

Oakley grew around strong community values, education, and faith. The Oakley Academy and Howells Opera House became early cultural landmarks, and the town soon developed a thriving local press and a strong agricultural economy. Today, Oakley’s historic homes, stone architecture, and downtown district are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Oakley Pioneer Days, first celebrated in 1882, has grown into a multi-day festival held each July, showcasing rodeos, parades, cook-offs, dances, and family fun rooted in western tradition. Oakley remains a small, close-knit town where history and community pride go hand in hand—a place where the past is preserved and celebrated every summer in true Idaho style.

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Meet the Oakley Vigilantes!

Cache Taylor Cache Taylor serves as President of the Vigilante Board. He has a lot of responsibilities that get taken care of in his job. He is married to Emily and they have one girl, McCarty. He is a ranch manager at Willow Creek Ranch. Cache enjoys being outside, fishing, golfing, and being with family.

Blake Matthews Blake Matthews is currently serving as Vice President of the Vigilante Board helping oversee the grounds as well as helping with the Bump-N-Rub. He is married to Valerie and they have four kids: Crew, Mason, Raegan, and Rylee. He is the farm manager for Matthews Land & Cattle. He enjoys farming, shooting rifles, hunting, being with family, and fabricating new projects.

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Isaac and Cheyenne Brown Isaac Brown serves on the Board helping take care of the Bump N Race. He works for Canyon Falls Farms as a manager. His wife, Cheyenne Brown, also serves on the Vigilante Board as the Secretary. She is a stay at home mom and wife. Together they have two children, Elle and Ridge. As a family they enjoy spending time in their garden, fishing, cooking, and going on drives around the farm.

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Amanda Winters Amanda Winters is currently serving as the treasurer on the board of the Oakley Vigilantes, where she has proudly volunteered for over a decade. What began as a simple week of helping out quickly turned into a lasting passion. Amanda was born and raised in Burley, Idaho, and when she’s not teaching during the school year, she’s soaking up every bit of summer with her two kids, Brandie and Bridger. She loves taking full advantage of her free time by camping, hunting, fishing, swimming, and going on adventures with her family.

FIND YOUR MISSING MINERALS 800.426. 3572

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Bret Jones Bret Jones is happy to be serving on the Vigilante Board. He is a farm manger at Cranney Farms and has lived in the area for years. He has four kids: Dace, Kylan, Traegan, and Kandace. He enjoys spending time watching his kids in their activities, riding dirt bikes, and running.

Bryce Adams Bryce Adams is currently serving as a member on the Vigilante Board. You can find him floating to wherever help is needed! He is married to Keisha and they have 5 kids. Bryce is ambitious and hard working! He is always up for an adventure with his family. In his spare time, he loves to golf, travel, and hunt.

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Bryce Jones Bryce Jones has lived in Oakley for years and works for Cranney Farms. He has served on the board helping run the roping chutes. He is married to Sara and they have four kids: Paytin, Jagger, Huxley, and McKort. He also serves as Oakley High School Booster Club President. In his free time, he likes to hunt, play in the water, spend time with his family, and have a good time.

Cade Taylor Cade Taylor has been a part of the Oakley Vigilantes for many years. He is a ranch manager at Willow Creek Ranch and also runs his own cow herd and raises and trains horses. Cade is engaged to Mary Frances Small. He enjoys riding horses, roping, playing with his nieces and nephews, and spending time with his family and friends.

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Jaxon Douglas Jaxon Douglas has drove in the Bump-N-Rub the last few years and is now serving on the Vigilante Board. He is married to MaKenna and they reside in Burley. He is great at jumping in with a helping hand! He enjoys riding motorcycles and ATVs, anything with the need for speed! In his spare time, he likes camping with his family and getting together with his friends and playing corn hole.

Macade Peterson Macade Peterson has served on the Vigilante Board by helping at the stripping chutes, roping boxes, and anywhere else he is needed. He works as a farrier, and a horse trainer. He is married to Sam and has two kids, Roan and Farren. He enjoys riding horses, guiding hunts, camping, spending time with his family, and being outside.

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McKay Hurst

McKay grew up in Declo working on the family farm with his dad and brothers. McKay and his wife, Tisha, have two kids. He is the owner of MPH Dirt Works in Burley. In his spare time, he finds himself riding dirt bikes, hunting, and running hounds. McKay serves on the Vigilante Board by helping build the Bump-N-Rub track and gather up sponsors.

Clate Poulton Clate Poulton is a new member of the Oakley Vigilantes.

Clate lives in Oakley and works on the family ranch with his dad he starts colts and shoes a hand full of horses for the community.

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Reece Poulton

Reece grew up on The Dam Ranch in Oakley raising cattle with his Dad and two brothers.

Reece is married to Ellie Poulton and is the 4th Generation of Poultons to be a Vigilante. Reece and Elli are excited to be welcoming their first child, a boy, this year!

Will Cranney Will Cranney grew up in Oakley, Idaho, and currently works for Cranney Farms helping runthe cattle side of the operation. He married to Bryn Cranney and has two boys Maverik and Ruger. When he’s not working, he enjoys riding colts roping, and spending time with family. Will is current responsibility is the gymkhana rodeo for the vigilante’s.

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Play our Oakley Pioneer Day’s Word Unscramble!

Tutmno Aeylok

Oredo Wobocy Ncorb Ulbl Dleassd

Rssup Utech Otctarr Skeerceoge Adarep Gdnriasfrou Sroefkiwr Neroipe Sgnivlteaii

Tobso Rrelba Ignopr Thanks for playing!

We hope you enjoy this year’s Oakley Pioneer Days Celebraton!

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• Zimmatic • Pivots • Thunderbird • Wheel Lines • Wade Rain IDAHO’S MOST COMPLETE PARTS STORE PAUL 208-438-8103

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Rodeo Recipes!

Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to add a little Western flair to your meals, this collection is packed with delicious recipes inspired by our favorite rodeo traditions. Each recipe captures the spirit of the rodeo and the flavors of the American West. So grab your apron, saddle up your taste buds, and enjoy these crowdpleasing favorites that are sure to bring a bit of rodeo magic to your table!

Beef Mixture: 1 ½ to 2 pounds ground beef or ground turkey ½ cup diced yellow onion 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 cup frozen corn kernels 1 ½ cups salsa, store bought or homemade 1 (15-ounce) can black, pinto, or white beans, rinsed and drained 1 to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Cornbread Topping: ½ cup (85 g) cornmeal 1 ½ cups (213 g) flour ⅓ cup (71 g) granulated sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ⅓ cup oil 2 large eggs 1 ¼ cup milk Preheat the oven to 375. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch pan and set aside.

In a large 12-inch skillet set over medium heat, cook the ground beef, onion, salt and pepper, until the meat is fully cooked. Drain the grease from the pan.

Stir in the corn, salsa, and beans. Spread the beef mixture evenly in the prepared pan and set aside.

For the cornbread, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center and add the oil, eggs and milk. Whisk together until just combined (don't over mix).

Sprinkle the cheese over the beef mixture. Pour the cornbread batter over the top and spread evenly all the way to the edges.

Bake for 40-45 minutes until the cornbread is baked through. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean and the top should spring back lightly to the touch.

Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

“Cowboy Dinner”

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Play the Oakley Pioneer Days Official Crossword!

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Support the Oakley Pool During The Celebration!

162 W. Main St. 83346 (208) 862-3828

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Visit the Oakley Valley Historical Museum!

140 W Main St Oakley, ID, 83346 (208) 862-3646 Explore the rich heritage of the Oakley Valley with a stop at this museum. Learn about the Native Americans who lived in the area, battles between cattle and sheep ranchers, and the bustling business community of the early 1900s at the Oakley Valley Historical Museum.

YOUR LOCAL HAY & SILAGE COVERING COMPANY

1-877-TARPHAY

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This isn’t our first rodeo.

dlevans.com

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Rogelio Magaña

208-670-7273

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Excited to give back to the community that has been so supportive of us!

Picture from Historic Rodeo Programs provided by the Oakley Musuem

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IS NOW:

100+ Years of Oakley History Then & Now

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Something to Look Up To, Something to Look Forward to, Something to Chase 153 W Hwy 30 Burley, ID 83318 208-678-1665 - O 208-262-3932 - C elihansenteam@idfbins.com

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2025 Oakley Pioneer Days 143rd Annual Since 1882 JULY 11TH - JULY 19TH, 2025 NEW INFORMATION AND ENGAGING CONTENT

KIDS, DID YOU FIND THE THREE HIDDEN BUMP N RUB CAR CRASHES? KEEP READING!

2025 THEME: TO BE DETERMINED

THANKS FOR READING! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR! THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE COOK SHACK ON THE RODEO GROUNDS

PUT THIS IN YOUR CALENDAR NOW: FRIDAY, JULY 10TH - SATURDAY JULY 19TH

OAKLEYPIONEERDAYS.COM