The Associated Press

It's rodeo time again in St. Paul. Since 1935, some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the world have come for the annual July Fourth event, which this year runs July 3-7.

Billed as the nation's greatest Fourth of July rodeo, the St. Paul Rodeo features more than 600 competitors from 24 states and three Canadian provinces, and a payout of over $350,000. And it attracts some of the biggest stars of the rodeo world: Out of the eight reigning world champions, seven are part of this year's lineup.

Of course, the St. Paul Rodeo is about a lot more than the competition. There's a rollicking carnival, a barbecue cook-off, a western art show, along with a July Fourth parade. And there are fireworks all five nights.

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The Oregonian/OregonLive file photo

A harrowing moment during the 2000 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Rodeo week kicks off Tuesday and continues through Saturday with performances at 7:30 p.m. nightly, along with a 1:30 p.m. matinee on July Fourth. Tickets are $16-$28, and can be purchased online at StPaulRodeo.com, through the ticket office (800-237-5920), or at the gate.

Over the years, photos have captured the magic of the St. Paul Rodeo, including the event's top riders and decades of rodeo queens. Here's a look back at eight decades of St. Paul Rodeo memories.

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Oregonian file photo

This aerial view shows the kickoff of the 1957 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Jim Vincent, The Oregonian

A trio of cowboys carrying flags on the Fourth of July (left to right), Jerry Halter, Tony Halter and Bill Halter, along with rodeo queen Jamie Anne Dullenty, takes part at the Grand Entry of the 1987 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Oregonian file photo

Bareback bronc tossed Bob May, of Grinnell, Iowa, on his backside at the 1968 St. Paul Rodeo

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In 1958, Judy Seamster of Salem, a freshman at Oregon State College, was named queen of the 23rd-annual St. Paul Rodeo.

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Kathy Hassler leans her mount into turn during barrel racing event at the 1980 St. Paul Rodeo. The Londen, Washington, rider completed course in 18.6 seconds.

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Oregonian file photo

If points were awarded for style, Rob McLean of Field would have been a winner for his dismount of Jeremiah at the 1981 St. Paul saddle bronc event. But points are given for a successful, eight-second ride. McLean, though, "fell" short.

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Oregonian file photo

St. Paul Rodeo steer wrestler, Don McBride, of Ceres, Calif., chats with merry-go-round bronc buster Kerri Biddle, 4-1/2, of Otis during the 1968 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Oregonian file photo

Clyde Longfellow of Kendrick, Idaho, shows saddle bronc style at the 1974 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Oregonian file photo

A rough ride ends for Jim Charles of Oakdale, California, when Snuffy, the Brahma bull, launches him into orbit at the 1968 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Ralph Vincent, The Oregonian

In 1955, Nadine Danielson, 18, of Banks was named queen of the St. Paul Rodeo. She's seen with palomino, Nuggie Jane.

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Oregonian file photo

Marshal Moore, Eltopia, Washington, on his way to an 8.7-second fall in first go-round of steer wrestling event at the 1978 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Ralph Vincent, The Oregonian

Resplendent in their bright new royal outfits, the royal court for the 22nd-annual St. Paul Rodeo in 1957, smiles brightly in anticipation of its reign. Queen Joan Deagen (center) of Woodburn, is shown with Princesses Gretchen Franz (left) and Jan Sorrels, both of Portland.

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Oregonian file photo

Lee Markholt, of Tacoma, Washington, was injured and taken by ambulance to the Newberg Hospital. He was Brahma Bull Riding. The Bull Crude Oil, butted, stepped on him and kicked him causing fractured ribs during the 1978 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Oregonian file photo

Rex and Juanita Rossi, whose trick riding and roping had been featured in movies and television, were the star attraction of the 1957 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Canadian Dan Lowry gets caught in rigging at the 1981 St. Paul Rodeo. He walked away with minor cuts and bruises.

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Oregonian file photo

Artie Caudle of Reno, Nevada gets all that a bull named Western Washington can offer during bull riding competition at the 1983 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Ralph Vincent, The Oregonian

Jimmy Bernard sealed the coronation of the 1956 St. Paul rodeo queen, Janice Miller of Milwaukie, with a kiss, while the queen's young scepter bearer, Louis Mullen, looked on approvingly. Jimmy was the crown bearer.

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Oregonian file photo

Lynn Oakley, of Walnut Creek, California, grabs for a grip in steer wrestling at the 1974 St Paul Rodeo.

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Steve Bovan looks for landing spot as Alley Cat puts an end to the Rice, Washington, cowboy's ride during the 1980 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Ann Nicklous, 17, Newberg, was chosen from among 10 contestants to reign as queen of the 1974 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Doug Sasse of Kennewick, Washington, has his hands full in steer wrestling event at the 1982 St. Paul Rodeo. Sasse was timed in 22.6 seconds.

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Oregonian file photo

Queen Kimberly Taylor of Salem, reigned over the 1968 St. Paul Rodeo, is shown receiving her western-style crown from Oregon's Mother of the Year, Mrs. Carl Smith of St. Paul. Mrs. Smith's husband is a former president and one of the founders of the annual rodeo.

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Riley Studio

1971 St. Paul Rodeo queen was Cyndee Southwick (center) of Salem. Princesses were Rebecca Ingram of Newberg, and Karla Kamph of Dundee.

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Ralph Vincent, The Oregonian

The all-around champion of 1963 St. Paul Rodeo was Bob Ragsdale, 35, of Caldwell, Idaho.

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Jim Vincent, The Oregonian

Queen Jennifer Smith (center) presided over the 46th annual St. Paul Rodeo in 1981. Princesses Kimberley Buchanan (left) and Debby Roe completed the royal court.

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Oregonian file photo

Jerri Mann and her 17 year old horse, Doz, chasing a fourth barrel racing crown during the 1983 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Richard H. Syring & Associates

Ruling over the 1982 St. Paul Rodeo were Queen Sharon Neill (center) of Junction City, and princesses Kathy Shidler (left) of Salem and Leslie Roy of Newberg.

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Jim Vincent, The Oregonian

Sherrie Christensen provided non-competitive entertainment with some trick riding during the 1978 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Ralph Vincent, The Oregonian

St. Paul Rodeo Queen Mary Joe Blosser, 20, of St. Paul, receives her crown for the 1969 event.

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Oregonian file photo

It was ropin' and ridin' time in St. Paul, where many of the nation's top cowboys gathered for the 1953 St. Paul Rodeo. Getting ready for the bronco busting event on opening night were Jackie Wright, left, of Danville; Jim Roeser, of Caldwell, Idaho; and Dale Cochran, of Burns.

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Richard H. Syring & Associates

Reigning over the 1983 St. Paul Rodeo was Queen Kimberly Kay Buchanan, 20, of Canby, sitting astride her rodeo horse. She's assisted by Princess Debbie Spencer of Beaverton (standing, left) and Princess Deana Sue Van Kell of Hillsboro.

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The Associated Press

St. Paul Rodeo Princesses Morgan Spear and Britney Norby wave to the crowd as they ride in the Grand Entry parade for the rodeo's first night i 2017.

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Kraig Scattarella, The Oregonian

Members of the 1980 St. Paul Rodeo court pose at the statue of Teddy Roosevelt in downtown Portland's South Park Blocks. Perched beneath equestrian statue are Queen Melinda Lanz (center), 17, Camas, Washington; princess Penny Koehler (left), 19, Sheridan; and princess Kathy Roy, 18, Newberg.

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Oregonian file photo

The all-around champion of the 1970 St. Paul Rodeo was Buzz Sealey, of Roosevelt, Washington. He pocketed $1,425 at three-day event which drew 35,717 fans. Sealey was the first cowboy in 35 years to win both saddle and bareback riding events.

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Jim Vincent, The Oregonian

Arien Driggers of Baker wrestles a steer to the ground in 5.3 seconds at the annual St. Paul Rodeo in 1984.

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Jim Vincent, The Oregonian

Gary Erwin of Princeville bounces hard on horse named Black Widow during bareback bronc riding event at the opening of the 38th annual St. Paul Rodeo in 1973.

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Richard H. Syring & Associates

The royal court for the 50th anniversary St. Paul Rodeo in 1985 includes (from left) princesses Karen McKay, 20, Charlotte Smith, 18, and Lwa Sheen, 21m and Queen Jody Roach, 18.

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Oregonian file photo

Cowboys share a moment of friendship between events at the 2000 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Ralph Vincent, The Oregonian

St. Paul Rodeo Queen Jill Scott of Salem (center) and members of her 1959 rodeo court, Princesses Carolyn Latham (left), McMinnville, and Charlene Kirk, Newberg, get ready for the annual festivities.

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Oregonian file photo

The all-around champion of the 1978 St. Paul Rodeo was Jerold Camarillo of Oakdale, California.

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Raymond Pound, The Oregonian

Sherman Crane, who combines comedy with daring as he taunts charging Brahma bulls, teamed with another famous rodeo clown, Wes Curtis, in the 21st-annual St Paul Rodeo in 1956. Crane is shown here as he spars with Brahma bull.

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Ralph Vincent, The Oregonian

Bill Hancock of Ozark, Arkansas, took home the trophy from the 1954 St. Paul Rodeo for his championship performance in the saddle bronc riding and bulldogging events.

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Richard H. Syring & Associates

Queen Brenda Sue Healy of Tigard reigns over the 1978 St. Paul Rodeo.

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Oregonian file photo

Oscar's Velvet, a top Brahman bull, threw cowboy Don Groning of Cheney, Washington, during the 1981 St. Paul Rodeo. Velvet had been ridden only once in more than 150 attempts.

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Bob Ellis, The Oregonian

During the 1980 St. Paul Rodeo, members of the Chief Joseph Days court made a guest appearance. They were Queen Cindy Turner (center), 17, Joseph; Wendy McDaniel (left), 17, Wallowa; and Velda Murrill, 17, Enterprise. The annual rodeo in that Eastern Oregon happens later in the summer, and the St. Paul appearance by the equestriennes helped spark enthusiasm for it.

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Oregonian file photo

The 1953 St. Paul Rodeo featured clowns and trick riders.

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Mark Graves, The Oregonian/OregonLive

Nearly 10,000 spectators attended the first day of the St. Paul Rodeo in 2017. More than 50,000 attended the five-day event last year.

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