Buckaroo Breakfast at the Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo is long-time tradition enjoyed by many
Claire Elmer
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The final day of the Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo was capped off by the Buckaroo Breakfast. After another memorable year, people celebrated the best way this community knows how — with good food, great company, and small-town tradition.
The Buckaroo Breakfast is a nearly 80-year old tradition in Redmond. It’s an early morning meal served by volunteers — complete with pancakes, coffee, and bacon — cooked outdoors in casket-iron skillets over open flames.
Nita Borzath and Sara Vollmer are twin sisters. They organized this year’s breakfast, but it’s not their first rodeo — they have been involved in this event since birth.
“It’s based on tradition. We’ve done this since we were born,” shared Borzath.
“I believe three generations, maybe four generations of our family and many of the other volunteers here, generation after generation,” said Vollmer.
The food is hot, the music is live, and the atmosphere is filled with laughter, old friends, and fresh memories. Borzath and Vollmer say they couldn’t do it without the support of volunteers.
“We had the helpers that start our fires at midnight… So by the time we woke up, about 3:30, everything was ready to cook, the stoves were hot,” said Bozarth.
“Everyone is equally valuable. Equally important. It seems like it just happens — people are amazing,” said Vollmer.
The breakfast draws people of all ages — families, first-time visitors, and longtime locals. Many were enthusiastic and eager to share their own favorite part…
“It’s really fun. A lot of people get to meet a lot of people and have a lot of fun,” said Ayda Tompkins of Redmond.
For 4-H kids, it’s a chance to relax and celebrate after a busy week showing animals.
Kane Robinson of Bend looks forward to the breakfast as a pick-me-up. “The breakfast is amazing. So that’s a good thing about after the auction. You might be a little sad, but it was good to have some pancakes after,” said Robinson.
Colton Spalding of La Pine had his first year in 4-H with Kids and Kids. Spalding told KTVZ about his goats, and his favorite part of the breakfast festivity.
“I’m raising a dairy goat and a market goat. My favorite part is probably just having fun with my friends over there and just talking and having fun,” said Spalding.
The breakfast also includes local, family-owned businesses, like R&M Firewood, who help keep the fires hot and the food cooking.
Jeremiah Harris of Redmond assisted in his family business by keeping the wood stocked.
“I am here with my family for the Buckaroo Breakfast. It’s fun. Maybe next year everyone watching should come and try it out,” said Harris.
For others, it’s more than just a meal. It’s a reunion.
Tim Satterfield is a Redmond High Alum who loves attending the breakfast each year to catch up with old friends.
“We have a class reunion — ’65 — and we were supposed to come out to eat together. It’s a good place to meet people you haven’t seen all year,” said Satterfield.
With fun and full bellies had by all, the longstanding tradition was clearly a success.