Three years ago when Ivan McClellan decided he was going to create Portland’s first Black rodeo, he had not so much as thrown a birthday party before.

He describes that first year as “scrappy,” getting away with a lot of mistakes the day of the event because most of the crowd had never seen or experienced a rodeo in their life.

Now — with two rodeos under his “rodeo boss” belt — McClellan is gearing up to run his third annual Eight Seconds Rodeo, a celebration of Black rodeo history, culture and Juneteenth.The rodeo will take place Sunday, Father’s Day, at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

“It’s a good time, there’s a lot of meaning and there’s a lot of purpose for the day,” McClellan said. “I want people to come in and just have several moments of joy. The tickets are expensive, the parking is expensive, the production is wildly expensive. But I want everybody, at the end of the day, to say, ‘You know what? That was worth it. That was a great way to spend my money.’”

Few tickets remain and can be purchased here. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.

McClellan expects a mixed crowd for all the rodeo’s events — those who have never experienced a rodeo before, people dressed in their Beyoncé-themed Cowboy Carter outfits and “real” cowboys.

“It’s just going to be a hoot and a really good time to roll into the rodeo with that celebratory energy,” McClellan said.

Attendees can expect food and retail vendors, line dancing, giveaways, mechanical bull riding, roping lessons, a beer and wine garden and a VIP cowboy meet and greet.

About 25 athletes will compete in three events: bareback bull riding, barrel racing and mutton busting, an event in which children ride sheep and hold on for as long as possible.

As in previous years, athletes will have a chance to win money from the prize pool of $75,000. In partnership with sponsor Crown Royal, the rodeo also will award its first ever $10,000 “Hats Off Grant,” to help a deserving cowboy or cowgirl pay for their animals, competition fees and other expenses needed to compete at a high level, according to McClellan.

While the rodeo is expanding due to popularity, McClellan promises it won’t compromise on its community approach.

“I always want to keep that sort of duct taped together feel to the event, because it makes people feel like they’re in it,” McClellan said.

While the rodeo isn’t on Juneteenth, it is a space to commemorate the holiday, he says.

“Juneteenth was a tragedy,” McClellan said. “It’s not a great moment in American history. It was folks that have been lied to about their freedom and their independence for many years. In Oregon, I think it’s especially relevant to say that injustices in the past need to be remedied in the present.”

In Oregon, Black rodeo culture emerged long after its initial heyday in the 1860s, according to Mariah Rocker, public programs and exhibits manager of Oregon Black Pioneers, a nonprofit focused on preserving and telling Oregon’s Black history.

While Black cowboys in Oregon were present during that time, they were in significantly lower numbers compared with other parts of the country due to the state’s Black exclusionary laws. This made it significantly difficult for Black cowboys to work or own land, Rocker said.

Once cowboys became a popular symbol of American entertainment, Black cowboys were often depicted as caricatures and expected to lean into racial stereotypes to compete, Rocker said. This created barriers for Black cowboys who wanted to compete. They also faced discrimination from judges and competitors.

Rocker said she hopes that the Eight Seconds Rodeo will inspire Black youth to be part of Oregon’s rodeo history. She sees the prize money, like the “Hands Off Grant,” as a way to remove obstacles for Black cowboys and cowgirls.

“It’s not only that representation and visibility that is so important for helping change the narrative and our perceptions of what a cowboy is and should be, but the other thing is the prize money to help set up these performers for success,” Rocker said.

The wrongdoings of the past are not forgotten at the rodeo, McClellan acknowledged. But he said he hopes the event can allow memory and celebration to coexist.

“In the lower Albina district, where the venue sits, were Black households that were displaced to build this arena,” McClellan said. “To come back into this space commemorating Juneteenth, having Black folks gather to celebrate joy and put their freedom on full display, I think is a wonderful way to commemorate the day and to be independent and free together.”

—Kimberly Cortez covers breaking news, public safety and more for The Oregonian/OregonLive. She can be reached at kcortez@oregonian.com