Gov. Jay Inslee today approved an additional $25,000 in recovery aid to the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County and Snohomish County Economic Development to make necessary repairs at the Darrington Timberbowl Rodeo Grounds.
The grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce will assist the Darrington Horse Owners Association, partners, clubs, businesses and the community with materials and supplies to upgrade the facility. The work will include updating electrical hookups and repairing old fencing around the main arena and the security perimeter of the rodeo fairgrounds.
“These repairs will allow the rodeo to go on and the Timberbowl Rodeo Grounds will once again host rodeo fans from around the Pacific Northwest and Canada,” Inslee said.
Scheduled for June 21, the annual Darrington Timberbowl Rodeo is a major tourism draw to the area. It will be one of the first large public events in Darrington since the March landslide that devastated the town of Oso and a one-mile stretch of State Route 530. Supporters will also volunteer labor and equipment during the coming weeks to help complete this work.
“This is an opportunity to put people to work, improve local job skills, and create additional cash flow into the town,” said Commerce Director Brian Bonlender.
The funds are in addition to a $150,000 state economic recovery grant awarded May 6 and will supplement local business, city, county and Washington Tourism Alliance spending.
“We are incredibly grateful for continued support from Governor Inslee, the state and our local partners in rebuilding our community,” said Darrington Mayor Dan Rankin. “The Timberbowl Rodeo has been a part of Darrington for as long as I can remember and having the grounds improved and renewed will ensure its continued legacy in our community and allow the facility to be used for a broader array of future public events.”
The Darrington Timberbowl Rodeo is a Professional Western Rodeo Association-sanctioned rodeo with contestants from all around the Northwest and Canada.