Nearly 240 Ford Broncos came to the coast for the 2021 Northwest Bronco Roundup this past weekend. The Roundup has been bringing Bronco enthusiasts together in Florence since 2010.

Annual gathering brings hundreds of Ford Broncos to Florence

Aug. 25, 2021 — The 2021 Northwest Bronco Roundup came to town last weekend, with hundreds of the popular Ford Broncos on view on Bay Street and other local gathering spots.

The vehicles, often 20+ years old, had a variety of unusual body styles and off-road modifications. Some of these were purely cosmetic, but others allowed the classic off-road vehicles to race, climb and speed across miles of open sand in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

The vehicles started arriving on Thursday as their owners rented dozens of campground sites and motel rooms for the weekend. The visitors then spent much of the weekend driving and climbing along the long stretch of coastal dunes that lie directly south of Florence.

The annual Northwest Bronco Roundup is a family-friendly event, with visitors of all ages attending the nightly group dinners. One of those dinners featured boiled shrimp, baked potatoes and corn on the cob.

Tom Dummer, who coordinates the event, said he was pleased with this year’s turnout.

“We had 277 register and most of them showed up, which is really good,” he said.

As of Monday, the official tally posted to the “Northwest Bronco Roundup” Facebook group showed nearly 240 participants in the long weekend.

Many of those were on display at the Northwest Bronco Roundup Show ‘n Shine at Three Rivers Casino Resort.

“We had an awesome crowd, great weather and great crew,” Dummer said. “The Three Rivers Casino sure ran with the change between Thursday and Saturday to get the entire plan moved outside.”

The event is extra special each year, as attendees seek to give donations of food and money to Florence Food Share as part of the community that hosts it.

“We were able to collect about 5,700 pounds of food and we have been collecting bottles and cans to recycle, and we will add that money to the total, which we are still figuring out,” Dummer said.

According to one participant, “This news alone makes the 2021 Northwest Bronco Roundup a huge success. Your generous donations at this year's Show 'n Shine event raked in 5,759 pounds of food for our friends over at the Florence Food Share — in a pandemic year, no less. We can't wait to TOP that number next year!”

Florence Food Share staff members posted their thanks on Facebook, saying, “The event makes a tremendous difference in our community, without the dedication of such a kind group of folks, it would not be possible to feed those in need. Thanks to all of the Northwest Broncos. You guys rock!”

The pandemic prevented official gatherings in state parks and in small municipalities like Florence in 2020, but this weekend the dunes were covered with hundreds of modified Ford Broncos and their owners.

“I think being outside with my friends and family is something I should be able to do, and this is a great way to get together and have some fun,” one attendee said during the dinner on Thursday.

The Northwest Bronco Roundup has become a yearly stop on the informal circuit of Bronco related gatherings and rides which take place across America each year, and this year, owners of the recently restarted Bronco line came from across the country to join in the festivities.

The highlight of the weekend is the Friday group ride where as many as 200 riders have been known to gather. This year’s group wasn’t quite as large as in prior years but there were some that made a long journey to attend.

“We had one family that drove from Pocatello, Idaho, with three kids and a dog to be here. And we had folks from Pittsburgh and lots from California,” Dummer said. “We just want to thank everybody involved for their support and we look forward to coming back again next year.”

For more information, visit northwestbroncoroundup.com.