By Zane Davis
The Weiser Valley Round-Up Association is proud to announce their 2024 Grand Marshal as Mr. Joe Qualls!
Joe Qualls was born in what was the “new” Weiser Hospital in 1953, and he grew up in Midvale, Idaho, first on a ranch in the Keithly Creek side of the Middle Valley. Eventually, the family sold the ranch and moved into the “Big City” of Midvale, where he was a four-sport athlete for the Midvale Rangers.
Joe is a proud veteran and served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era, but was fortunate enough to avoid Vietnam, but was stationed in Asia for 2-years.
Joe first attended the Weiser rodeo in the early 1960’s when it was called The Hells Canyon Rodeo, which was a PRCA rodeo during that time. The Qualls family received a free pass to the rodeo because Joe’s dad was a member of the Washington County Sheriff’s Posse, and the parked cars for the rodeo. In those days, the busking chutes, roping boxes, and the announcer’s stand were all located in the east end of the arena.
Joe’s experience in putting on rodeos began early. His dad was a member of the Cambridge Rodeo Board, and his mom sold ads for the programs. Joe also volunteered to help with projects at the grounds. Joe’s former father-in-law, LeRoy Grothaus served as a member of the Cambridge Rodeo Board for over 20-years. Joe has been around rodeos most of his life.
Joe dabbled in bronc riding in the practice pen but discovered that he lacked the heart or the skill to be really good, so he decided “A rodeo competitor I am not.”
Joe’s involvement with the Weiser Valley Round-Up began in 2006 when he had completed his year as the Exalted Ruler of the Weiser Elks Lodge. Jack Walker invited him to join the committee, and the rest, as they say, is history. Joe served in various positions from 2006 to 2021 and was the WVR President for a total of 12-years.
Joe served on the Board of Directors for the Idaho Cowboys Association for 6-years and was awarded a gold-card lifetime membership at the conclusion of his service.
Joe also began helping announce the Weiser Valley Round-Up a few years back to cover our sponsors to take some of the pressure of the announcer. He really enjoyed announcing and soon worked into a partnership with friend, Mick Hessler. The duo announces several rodeos in the area.
Joy has always enjoyed serving the community in any capacity including Angel Wings Network, Weiser Memorial Hospital Foundation, Weiser River Watershed Advisory Group, and the Weiser Groundwater Advisory Board to name only a few.
Through everything, Joe has been supported by his family, and especially his wife of 43-years, Phyllis Qualls. Joe and Phyllis have taken a step back from some of their volunteerism in recent years, and now enjoy being grandparents and great-grandparents. Joe says the secret to 43-years of marriage is to “Marry Your Best Friend”.
Joe states, “I am truly honored to be chosen as Grand Marshal. The Weiser Valley Round-Up will always be “MY” Rodeo.”
Thank you for your expertise and your years of dedicated service! We Love You!
