Clash of the Cowboys is an exciting take on the long-time tradition of American rodeo and people won’t want to miss it when it comes to Elma on Saturday, October 27, at 7:00 p.m. at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds. Sponsored by Bud Light, Clash of the Cowboys will have bystanders wanting more as bronc busting, barrel racing, and bull riding competitions take place in a fast and fun night at the fairgrounds.

“It’s going to be a younger generation’s rodeo,” shares Rod Easton, fair and events supervisor at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds. “There’s going to be a lot of pizzazz.”

The doors open at 5:00 p.m. and parking is free. Presale tickets can be purchased for $12 from Montesano Farm & Home in Montesano, the Les Schwab locations in Centralia, Elma, or Olympia, or at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds office in Elma. To purchase a ticket at the door, it is $15. It’s a good idea to plan ahead for this great evening out and grab those tickets early and then put that extra $3 saved toward some tasty food at the rodeo.

Clash of the Cowboys Elma
Watch as cowboys and cowgirls give it their all in this exciting rodeo event in Elma on October 27. Photo credit: Michael T Photography

This will be the first time that Grays Harbor has hosted Clash of the Cowboys and it’s assured to be a bright show with some spotlights and pyrotechnic stunts to keep the crowd’s energy soaring. When the rodeo ends, those 21-years-old and over are encouraged to hang around to enjoy dancing and live country music with a concert by the Jessie Leigh Band. “I’m looking forward to hearing the Jessie Leigh Band,” shares Mike Bruner, Grays Harbor Fairgrounds and Tourism manager. “They put on a good show. It’s fun, it’s lively. It’s a good mix of modern country and classic country stuff.”

Some may know the Jessie Leigh Band as they have played at two past Oktoberfests on the harbor as well as at the local county fair. The band always brings those soulful country vibes along with the energy of rock music and will surely have the audience singing and dancing along. “That’s what goes best here is country,” Easton shares, adding that the past performances by the group have been spunky and entertaining to watch.

People can expect traditional foods like hotdogs, burgers, chicken strips, and some rodeo-themed food specials for the event. There will also be a family section in the grandstands and separately, a beer garden. It’s a great time to embrace an inner cowboy or cowgirl and get in the spirit of the rodeo.

Among the tasty food menus at the rodeo, vendors will be open for people to check out some country-themed booths with options to buy anything from sporting goods, belts, hats, belt buckles, T-shirts, to other rodeo-related items.

Every year, Elma puts on the Grays Harbor Mounted Posse Indoor Pro Rodeo and this is still happening in March. The Clash of the Cowboys rodeo will be just as entertaining and is a chance for people to experience some different approaches to the show. “We’re just being told that it’s a little bit more bells and whistles than your traditional rodeo,” Bruner shares. “It’s something a little bit different for a reason. We don’t want to duplicate what the Posse is doing in March, just wanted to try something new.”

Grays Harbor Rodeo
There will bulls, broncs, and barrel competitions throughout the evening, along with refreshments and vendors available. Photo credit: Michael T Photography

The Howell Rodeo Company is based out of Oregon and they are the ones who first started Clash of the Cowboys and will be putting on the rodeo. The company has more than 30 years of experience putting on their unique and exciting events. The Howell Rodeo Company works to make every event engaging and exciting for people. “I’m really curious to see how big a difference there’s going to be between a regular rodeo and a Clash of the Cowboys rodeo,” Easton shares. “I’ve never seen one. It’s new, we don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Because it is the first time that Clash of the Cowboys is being held in Elma, it is possible that it may be made into a regular event with hopes to draw in a broad crowd. The Howell Rodeo Company has said everyone is preparing to put on a great show on October 27 and the slots are all full. “Ideally, it would be successful and well received and we would have it as an annual event,” Bruner shares.

Call the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds office at 360-482-2651 for more information or questions or see the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds website.

Other sponsors of this event are East County Sporting Goods, House Brothers Construction, Bigfoot 107.3 KANY, Mattress Ranch, Les Schwab, and A&B Machine and Hydraulics, Inc.


Clash of the Cowboys at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds takes place on Saturday, October 27, at 7:00 p.m.

  • Doors open at 5:00 p.m.
  • $12 presale ticket admission
  • $15 admission at the door
  • The Jessie Leigh Band after the rodeo
  • Free parking
  • Food, vendors, beer available

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