The
Sumas Roundup Association was founded to organize, promote, and
raise funds in support of an annual round-up event in Sumas,
Washington. Although active from at least 1923-1930, the
Association was not formally incorporated until 1927. Its
organizers were Sumas businessmen C. M. Eneix, A. W. Linn, C. L.
Miller, C. D. Soule and George. I. Dunlap.
The Sumas Roundup itself grew out of a Sumas Junior Rodeo organized
in 1923. The September 28, 1923 edition
of the Sumas News noted that over 5000 people attended this
event, which spurred the formation
and activities of the Sumas Roundup Association.
The
Sumas Roundup was a major community event.
The July 18, 1924 edition of the Sumas News noted
construction of a
grandstand to seat almost 7000 spectators, while another 2500 could sit in the bleachers. The
Sumas News claimed an attendance
of over 22,000 people in 1924, and reported that in 1925 there
were 12,000 visitors from Canada
alone. Although the Roundup's attendance and success continued
to grow through 1928, it was cancelled in 1930 following the
Wall Street Crash and onset of the Great Depression. The Roundup
was re-staged between 1937 and 1940, until its permanent
discontinuation due to World War II and lack of finances.
References:
The Sumas News September 28, 1923
The Sumas News July 18, 1924
The Sumas News September 5, 1924
The Sumas News September 11, 1925
Sumas: “A Land Without Trees”
Information supplied by donor, Mike Miller, 2009
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