WW County Fairgrounds Post Office Box “G”
Walla Walla, Wa. 99362
(509) 527-3247
(Fax) 527-3259

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   2012 Cowboy Legends

             

   Ted Millgard         Ken Frazier              Ron Miller                                     

    

Ted Millgard Ted grew up loving horses.  He was born in Colfax and moved to Walla Walla in 1951.  Curtis Tarwater was a huge influence in his young life, and was instrumental in Teds’ Calf Roping career.  After graduating from WSU, Ted moved to Nebraska and got his dental degree at Creighton University, School of Dentistry.  In 1965 Ted opened his first dental office in Walla Walla, where he practiced until his retirement in 2007.  During Ted’s Rodeo career he roped at most all of the Northwest Rodeos, including Walla Walla. He is retired from the Rodeo arena, but continues to ride and train calf horses. Ted got involved with the WWCC Rodeo Team and has been helping them with their rodeo for 43 year.  Now that he is retired, he acts as a volunteer assistant coach for the calf roping and breakaway roping.  Education is extremely important to him so along with helping students with their rodeo skills he urges them to complete their education.  Ted has two daughters, Kris Still and Kate Millgard, granddaughter Malia Millgard-Lewis, and life long friend and companion Eleanor Powers.

 

Ken Frazier Gold Card holder in the PRCA, Ken is from a Rodeo Family, and he has passed that tradition on to his Family.  Ken was born and raised on a ranch south of Walla Walla where his family ran cattle and farmed. For years his family supplied cattle for the roping events at the Walla Walla Rodeo. While at Wa-Hi Ken was an active FFA member and showed steers at the Walla Walla Fair.  He also started at guard for the football team and was captain of the wrestling team. Ken married Judy (Curcio) 47 years ago, and they have one son, Troy who is a past Columbia River Circuit All Around Champion. Two of Ken’s granddaughters Rodeo on Rodeo Scholarships.  Ken has trained roping and cutting horses , but is a horse shoer by trade.  For the past 27 years, Ken has been timed event boss for the Frontier Days Rodeo, a position he takes great pride in.    Rodeo has been a way of life for the Frazier Family.

 

Ron Miller  Ron was raised on an alfalfa hay, cattle and wheat ranch west of Walla Walla. Throughout his school years he was active in both 4-H and FFA showing cattle, sheep and hogs.  Miller began his Rodeo career as a Steer Wrestler, then switched to Team Roping.  Today, however, golf is his favorite outdoor activity.  Ron joined the Army in 1963.  Stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, PFC Ronald Miller was a horseshoer for the Army Pentathlon Team.  He kept mounts ready for competition and horse shows. After returning to the Walla Walla Valley Ron became active in Community organizations, one of them being Fair & Frontier Days.  He was  on the Fairboard from 1977-1985. He served as president in 1984.  Today Ron continues to volunteer and help at Frontier Days events.  He and his wife, Marilyn have been married for 43 years and have a son Bryan.

                                                                      

                                                                       

The Walla Walla Fair & Frontier Days is the oldest Fair in the state of Washington.

It started in 1863, beginning with the first Horse Race that took place at a newly constructed track north of town. Since then, millions of guests spanning six generations have visited the Walla Walla Fair & Frontier Days event.

In 1866, The Walla Walla Agricultural Society decided to stage a large agricultural and industrial exposition that would showcase the valley crops and the latest faming methods. Since then the event has continued under a variety of different names and organizations.

In 1870, the event became the first annual Fair of Washington Territory Agricultural, Manufacturing and Art Fostering Society.

In 1874, it became the first Walla Walla County Agricultural Society event. Then in 1886 the name was changed to the Walla Walla Consolidated Agricultural Society.

The event continued in 1903, under the new name, Walla Walla County Fair Association.

1913 & 1914 brought a rodeo “Wild West Show” and 1936 Directors changed the name to Southeastern Washington Fair. The organizers then added Frontier Days to the name during 1938.

In 1992 the name was changed to Walla Walla Frontier Days and in 1996 it became the Walla Walla Fair & Frontier Days.

The name may have changed, but this great community tradition lives on today in memories for the young and the young at heart.