About Happy Canyon - A History of the World's Most Unique Indian Pageant and Wild West Show
Presented by Becky Waggoner, Author
For
over a century, Happy Canyon, the night show of the Pendleton Round-Up, has
brought together families, friends and strangers to witness a joyous
celebration of local Pendleton, Oregon, history. The spirit of the Old West and
the beauty of tribal life unfolds like a Western Brigadoon each
September.
With
a passion to see Happy Canyon’s story told, Becky Fletcher Waggoner, will
reveal how the show began, the six-generation family participation, the beauty
of the show’s Native American and non-Native American culture from Eastern
Oregon, including the key livestock. As the story unfolds, you’ll
discover both Happy Canyon’s history and the entertaining stories that have
occurred over the years.
About the Speaker:
Becky
Waggoner of Pilot Rock, Oregon, is a fourth generation Happy Canyon Show
participant and Round-Up volunteer and a fifth generation resident of Umatilla
County. Besides cattle ranching and working part-time for Mautz &
O’Hanlon, LLP, Becky loves to research history.
Becky
began volunteering in the show at the age of three, coming out of the
trunk. She has played several roles in the show over the years and now
plays the part of the nurse in the Doctor Act. Out of her love of the show and
its colorful history, Becky recently authored Happy Canyon: A History
of the World’s Most Unique Indian Pageant and Wild West Show.
Becky
and her husband, Allen, former Happy Canyon Show Director and President, have
three children, Kyle, Kaleigh and Riley—all fifth generation Happy Canyon
volunteers and actors. On with the show!
