Leonardo Castro moves with the bull Sweatlodge Testified during PBR Everett at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Leonardo Castro moves with the bull Sweatlodge Testified during PBR Everett at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

PBR bull riders kick up dirt in Everett Stampede headliner

Angel of the Winds Arena played host to the first night of the PBR’s two-day competition in Everett, part of a new weeklong event.

EVERETT — Bucking bulls and flying cowboys returned to Everett on Wednesday night as the Professional Bull Riders tour made its third visit to the Angel of the Winds Arena.

Bull riders cheer on Wyatt Rogers as his bull Tatonka jumps out of the chute during PBR Everett at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Bull riders cheer on Wyatt Rogers as his bull Tatonka jumps out of the chute during PBR Everett at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Wednesday’s competition, the first of two nights, brought 40 of the best bull riders in the world to Everett with riders trying to stay on for eight seconds. The second show begins at 7:45 p.m. Thursday at Angel of the Winds.

PBR’s stop is the centerpiece of the Everett Stampede, a new weeklong Western-themed event in the city.

Bull riders walk out into the arena during PBR Everett at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Bull riders walk out into the arena during PBR Everett at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Michael Voivod, an Everett resident, was attending for the first time. His friend, Shane Wilkins, suggested they go, so he decided to give it a try.

It wasn’t what Voivod expected, but he was enjoying it.

“I’m looking for 10-gallon hats, that’s what I’m here for,” Voivod said. And there were a lot of hats in the crowd.

Keyshawn Whitehorse moves with the bull Tijuana Two-Step to stay on during PBR Everett at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Keyshawn Whitehorse moves with the bull Tijuana Two-Step to stay on during PBR Everett at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Fans witnessed several good rides Wednesday night, like one from 18-year old Texas cowboy John Crimber, who won the first round of the Everett event with an 88.5 score on a bull called Try Me. With the win, Crimber remained third in the PBR standings.

Fans in the nearly full Angel of the Winds Arena cheered the riders throughout the evening. Daylon Swearingen got a loud ovation for the first successful ride of the night. Everett PBR fans also got a look at rodeo clown Brinson James, who took over after legendary clown Flint Rasmussen retired from the role last year.

It was a loud atmosphere, and parts of the arena floor were set on fire as the riders were introduced.

Ezekiel Mitchell raises his arm as the bull Electric Kitty jumps out of the chute during PBR Everett at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Ezekiel Mitchell raises his arm as the bull Electric Kitty jumps out of the chute during PBR Everett at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Speaking of the floor, bulls kick up dirt up and out of the arena. Having a bull slam into the metal fencing surrounding the area in front of you is an adrenaline rush.

A bull tries to leap out of the chutes during PBR Everett at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

A bull tries to leap out of the chutes during PBR Everett at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Major, multi-day events like Everett Stampede “bring thousands of visitors to our downtown, giving more people the chance to check out all the wonderful things we have to offer here in Everett,” Mayor Cassie Franklin said in a statement Tuesday.

Alvaro Ariel is throw off by the bull War Train during PBR Everett at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Alvaro Ariel is throw off by the bull War Train during PBR Everett at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Two more events are on tap for this weekend as Dalton Dover, of “The Voice” fame, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday APEX. Merle Haggard’s sons, Ben and Noel Haggard, will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at APEX.

After Everett, the bull-riding tour moves to the Tacoma Dome on Saturday and Sunday. The PBR World Finals begin May 10 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Jordan Hansen: 425-339-3046; jordan.hansen@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @jordyhansen.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Three injured after high-speed, head-on collision on Highway 522

Washington State Patrol is investigating the crash that happened before 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.