PORTLAND, Ore., April 23,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The hugely successful 8
Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo returns for its second year, bringing
a thrilling celebration of Black cowboys, cowgirls, and western
culture to Veterans Memorial Coliseum on June 16, 2024, from 3:00
PM to 10:00 PM.
First of its kind Juneteenth Black rodeo
returns to Portland, Oregon for
its second year.
Founded by Portland-based
photojournalist Ivan McClellan, the
first Black rodeo in the Pacific Northwest offers an immersive
experience into the world of professional rodeo competitions
alongside delicious food, music, and family fun. Last year's
inaugural event was a major success seeing a sold-out crowd of
2,500 thrilled and inspired by Black cowboy culture. This year
promises to be even bigger and better with 7,200 attendees and
$60,000 in prize money on the
line.
Ivan McClellan stumbled upon
Black cowboy culture in 2015 when he was invited to a Black rodeo
in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. "It was a
transformational moment for me. I saw hip hop culture and Black
church blended seamlessly with the Western world." This led him on
a nearly decade-long journey documenting and promoting this
extraordinary world. Ivan's photography has been featured in
campaigns by global brands like Wrangler, Tecovas, and Apple. His
forthcoming photobook Eight Seconds: Black Rodeo Culture (Damiani)
is an anthology of the work to this point. During this time the
prominence of Black cowboys in popular media has exploded from Lil
Nas X's Old Town Road to Pharrell's Louis
Vuitton runway show featuring working cowboys and Beyonce's
new country-flavored album Cowboy Carter.
Celebrating Black Excellence in Rodeo
The rodeo will once again feature top Black rodeo athletes from
around the country competing in thrilling events like bull riding,
barrel racing, steer wrestling, and mutton busting. Respected names
in rodeo like Tre Hosley, London
Gladney, and Tank Adams will travel from Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and California to compete in Portland for their second year. The event aims
to introduce modern-day cowboys to fans and educate attendees about
the rich cultural heritage of Black cowboys and cowgirls who have
been a significant part of American history for centuries.
Award-winning whisky brand Crown Royal is proud to sponsor the
2nd annual 8 Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo in Portland, Oregon, celebrating the heritage,
athleticism, and grit of Black Cowboys. Crown Royal, with a
history of supporting diverse communities, is committed to
uplifting this extraordinary community.
"We're honored to partner with Ivan for the 8
Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo as we continue to celebrate the rich
heritage and traditions of Black rodeo," said Hadley Schafer, VP, Crown Royal. "Ivan's work is
incredible and we look forward to joining forces to shine a light
on the achievements of Black cowboys and cowgirls across the
nation."
In March, Tecovas, an American retailer of authentic western
goods—from cowboy boots to Western-style apparel—hailing from
Austin, Texas, joined the rodeo as
a major sponsor.
A Fun-Filled Day for All Ages
Beyond the competition, the Eight Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo
offers something for everyone. Attendees can expect:
- Live music by DJ O.G.ONE
- Small business vendors from the Portland community
- Exciting social media activations and giveaways
- An elevated VIP experience
- Roping lessons
- A mechanical bull
Community Support for a Growing Tradition
Oregon Community Foundation, an organization committed to making
a lasting impact for citizens statewide, generously contributed to
bring the event to life this year. Travel Portland is returning as a supporter,
recognizing the 8 Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo's positive contribution
to the city's tourism.
About Eight Seconds
Originally from Kansas City,
Ivan McClellan is a photojournalist
and designer based in Portland,
Oregon. Eight Seconds is the nine-year passion project that
has taken McClellan across the country to photograph ranches and
rodeos and shed light on Black cowboy culture, elevating their
stories in popular media. Learn more at https://eightsecs.com/.
About Tecovas:
Tecovas is an Austin,
Texas-based retail brand focused on designing the world's
best Western footwear, apparel, and accessories and selling them
directly to customers for a fair price. Founded in 2015, the brand
has grown rapidly over the last few years in its mission to build
the most beloved heritage western brand in the world. Visit
tecovas.com or any one of Tecovas' 20 U.S. retail stores to
see more.
About Crown Royal
Crown Royal Canadian Whisky is the number-one selling Canadian
whisky brand in the world and has a tradition as long and
distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand
tour of Canada made by King
George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal's smooth
and elegant flavor was an exceptionally generous gift fit for
royalty. Its gift-worthy presentation reflects its regal origins –
it is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. For more
information, visit crownroyal.com. Crown Royal encourages all
consumers to please enjoy responsibly.
About Diageo North America
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an
outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and
Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff,
Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan,
Baileys, Tanqueray, and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange
(LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries
around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people,
brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's
global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for
information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow
on Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo
North America: @Diageo_NA.
Join Us for a Juneteenth Celebration Unlike Any
Other!
The 8 Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo will celebrate its second annual
event on June 16, 2024, from
3:00 - 10:00 p.m. at the Veterans
Memorial Coliseum in Portland,
Ore. The monumental full-day event will unite our community,
immersing the audience in the Western lifestyle. From activities on
the grounds and brand activations to barrels, bulls, and music
inside the arena, there will be abundant opportunities to captivate
and engage with more than 7,200 passionate attendees.
Media Contact:
Ivan McClellan
ivan@eightsecs.com
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SOURCE Eight Seconds Events LLC