Motorcycle rodeo to hit fairgrounds

Saturday, rodeo riders atop behemoths will fling dirt in the air as they wind their way through poles, around barrels and through a number of obstacle courses in the rodeo arena at the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds.

But unlike traditional rodeos, these riders will be perched atop classic motorcycles.

“It’s just like the cowboy rodeos, only we do it on 750 cc machines,” said Gary “Bootmaker” McGlasson, organizer of the event and President of the Northwest Classic Motorcycle Club.

Riders compete for prizes atop street-legal, modified Harley Davidson motorcycles. The machines must have at least 750 cubic centimeter engines.

In its third season, the Pro Moto Rodeo has scheduled a stop at the Mockonema fairgrounds as part of its circuit.

“There’s quite a group of riders in Colfax, so I expect them to show up in full force,” said McGlasson.

Last month the rodeo took the Republic rodeo grounds by storm. The rodeo will also perform at the Rosalia Motorcycle Rally next weekend.

McGlasson said 12 “cowboys” typically compete in the rodeos, though he encouraged novices to sign up and compete.

In addition to the rodeo, vendors will sell their motorcycle-related wares on the fairgrounds, and McGlasson said they have bands lined up to play into the evening.

The rodeo starts at 1 p.m. Admission is $10.