Flora silversmith and spouse serving as grand marshals

JOSEPH — The Chief Joseph Days Rodeo has a new queen and court.

Rodeo officials during ceremonies Saturday, April 19, at the CJD Thunder Room set the crown on Joseph Charter School senior Jadeyn Perin as queen of the 79th Chief Joseph Days Rodeo.

Joining her as princesses are Tylee Evans and Livia DeMelo.

Evans is a junior at Enterprise High School and DeMelo is a sophomore at Joseph.

Perin is an experienced rodeo queen and 4-H member. After high school, she plans to pursue a career as a traveling registered nurse.

Evans comes from a rodeo legacy and manages her own herd of Hereford cattle, with the help of her grandparents.

DeMelo is a sixth-generation cowgirl, a student leader and a three-sport varsity athlete.

The girls competed in one of the closest contests ever. Each was evaluated for their riding (45%), public speaking (35%) and ticket sales (25%).

The girls collectively sold more than $155,000 in tickets for the rodeo. Each of the girls will receive a commission based on her sales.

The rodeo also honored Don and Sandy Mallory, of Flora, as this year’s grand marshals.

Don is a lifelong resident of Wallowa County and a renowned silversmith. He’s been creating the official jewelry for the CJD royalty since 2000, with Sandy making sure they all shine as bright as the girls wearing the pieces. Largely self-taught, Don crafts custom spurs, bits and buckles.

This year’s rodeo — as always — is the last full week of July. This year it will be July 22-27. It starts with the herding of rough stock down Joseph’s Main Street and then four nights of rodeo action, Wednesday through Saturday, concluding with a cowboy church service Sunday.