The Happy Canyon Board of Directors honored two long-time volunteers on April 19 in the Happy Canyon Room of the Pendleton Convention Center. This year’s winners of the coveted Happy Canyon Appreciation Award are Marjorie Waheneka and Greg Duchek. Master of Ceremonies Bob Blanc presented both with plaques and flowers and expressed the appreciation of the directors for years of hard work as volunteers for the Happy Canyon Night Show.

The ceremony was open to the public and friends and relatives also sang the praises of the hard working volunteers.

“This award symbolizes the volunteerism and traditions of Happy Canyon,” Blanc said. “This is an evening of thanks and appreciation for two special people who have given

Kenny Rogers. Photograph by Jay Fletcher.

Kenny Rogers will headline the 2010 kickoff concert for the Pendleton Round-Up & Happy Canyon. Rogers, a winner of three Grammy awards, 11 People’s Choice Awards, 18 American Music Awards, eight Academy of Country Music awards and five Country Music Association awards will appear with special guests The Oak Ridge Boys, Saturday, Sept. 11^th at the Happy Canyon Arena in Pendleton, OR.  The annual concert is the opening of the week-long activities of the world famous Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon.

Round-Up publicity director Carl Culham talks about these iconic groups with reverence. “There’s over 100 years of performance experience and success between these two acts,” he said.  “It’s very appropriate for the Round-Up centennial year to have artists like these that know how to put on a great show.  We are excited to be able to bring these legends to Pendleton.”

Happy Canyon publicity director Michael Corey agrees. “When you think of country

Corey Neistadt, Happy Canyon Bar Director

PENDLETON, OR- Allen Waggoner was re-elected president of Happy Canyon board at the annual stockholders meeting held January 5th at the Happy Canyon arena.  Waggoner now begins his second year as the chief executive of the Happy Canyon board.  Chris Cockburn was re-elected for a second year as vice president.

Waggoner says he’s excited about the future of Happy Canyon. “We finished a very good year with the replacement of the arena roof and the changes in our nightly dance.  We will continue to explore ways to improve our facilities and our events in the coming year.  And we are excited to support the Round-Up in the celebration of their centennial.”

Corey Neistadt has been named to serve as a Happy Canyon director beginning in 2010.  Neistadt will be the new bar and hospitality director filling the spot on the Happy Canyon board vacated by