The Philomath Frolic and Rodeo will complete the first phase of upgrades and expansion at Skirvin Park in time for its annual community celebration on July 10-12.
City Manager Chris Workman, who volunteers for the Frolic and Rodeo and heads up the organization’s events and publicity committees, told the City Council Monday night that the improvements will be completed by July 2 — but with one exception.
“The ADA parking at the rodeo grounds isn’t going to happen before the rodeo,” Workman said. “It will still happen this summer. We’re just running into some permit issues so it will be after this year’s rodeo. It was one too many things to try to get squeezed in before the first week of July. But everything else is on track, it’s looking great.”
Workman said the new section of premium seats on the west side of the arena are finished. The addition to the bleachers increases spectator capacity by just under 1,200 seats.
“The seating is amazing — I’ve been up there a couple of times,” Workman said. “It gives you goosebumps just picturing what that’s going to look like with everything and just the pageantry and everything else going on. I’m really looking forward to this year’s Frolic. It’ll be a lot of fun.”
Work is continuing on new restrooms and the announcer’s stand. The restrooms will have six stalls each in the men’s and women’s sides (port-a-potties will still be brought in). The announcer’s stand, a two-story structure, is being constructed on the south end and will also house the rodeo contestant office.
The Frolic and Rodeo is planning to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. July 8.
Many of the same events will return this year from the 5-kilometer run to the cornhole tournament to the Saturday morning parade. Tickets have gone on sale for the three rodeo nights and can be purchased online.
