Eastside Park — Attraction in Omak

My first rodeo in decades. The venue is conveniently located near downtown Omak in an agricultural community with lots of orchards, wineries, cattle and horses.

It is famous for it's "Suicide Race", a traditional First Nation race of specially trained horses and riders, that goes down a steep slope and across the river, then up to the area.

The seating area had a great view of the arena with a large number of seats under a huge overhang. Popcorn and sodas sold by local scouts walking through the stands. Outside the arena are many food carts, souvenir and art/craft shops.

It takes a special kind of person to jump from the back of a moving horse onto the back of a running calf, or sit on top of an untamed horse many times your own weight and try to stay on while it tries to get you off!

It was a very exciting evening of events that harken back to our frontier predecessors, reminding us of how hard they worked, and how hard they played.

A highlight for me was the ponies and their petite riders. The ornery attitude of many of the ponies was more than matched by their riders!

An event not...

The Eastside Park and Carl Precht Rv and camp grounds are on the same large area in Omak, Wash. This large and wonderful park is where the Omak Stampede is held each year. When August hits then the East Side Park fills with people from all walks of life. The Colville Reservation, Native Ameri ans hold many events here also. THE FAMOUS SUICIDE RACE and the Pow Wow with dancers in their beautiful Regalia are quite the thing you must see. The Stampede is the must see in August. The Rodeo and Carnival make East Side Park fill up fast so call ahead. Nice public pool and trained life guards always on duty and open for the summer season. There's a Skate park to show off skate board skills. A nice walk on the track to stroll, run or push a baby buggy while taking a brisk walk is easy on the paved walkway . Lots of free parking and picnic tables by a small play ground gives this park 5...

Attended the rodeo for the first time. Very impressed with the Native Dances and their beadwork was awesome. It was horribly hot, almost unbearable. Considering how big this event is, I was surprised that the accomodations for the attendees was so lacking. Didn't see one First Aid Station; and there were over 8 thousand people present! The portapoties were in the direct sun, hotter than Hades and stunk to high heaven. When my husband came out he was swooning! Combination of heat and methane is a bad mixture. It took him awhile to recover. At the end, 8 thousand people were on the move..no exit signs, no lighting for pedestrians, no groundsmen,...nothing. Very dangerous for everyone. The actual event was awesome... accomodations were...