California Rodeo Salinas
The California Rodeo Salinas celebrates 100 years of rodeo in July, 2010! The Rodeo will commemorate this historic event with ten days of festivities, including a carnival, the annual Cowboys and Cabernet event, the evening Colmo del Rodeo Parade, the Kiddie Kapers Parade, the Music Stampede featuring Dwight Yoakam, the Diamond Dig, and more!
Each July, the West comes alive in Salinas with the California Rodeo Salinas at the Salinas Sports Complex. The California Rodeo Salinas is the largest rodeo in California. One of the most prestigious stops on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) circuit and part of the Wrangler ProRodeo Summer Tour, the California Rodeo (locally pronounced ro-DAY-oh) Salinas attracts more than 700 top-ranked professional cowboys and cowgirls competing for over $250,000 in prize money annually. In addition, eight of California's greatest young horsewomen will compete for the title of Miss California Rodeo Salinas.
Though the California Rodeo Salinas itself takes place for only four days, surrounding events such as the Rodeo Carnival, the Kiddie Kapers Parade and the Cowboys and Cabernet cowboy poetry and wine tasting gala provide a two-week long warm-up to the main event.
History
An outgrowth of the Spanish ranchero days when the semi-wild herds of cattle were gathered for branding, ear-marking and castration, the word rodeo is Spanish for "round-up." Inspired by the San Juan Bautista Fiesta and Rodeo, cattlemen from Salinas decided in 1908 that Monterey County should have a similar event. In 1909, the California Rodeo Salinas, initially named the Wild West Show, was born.
The California Rodeo Salinas became known throughout the country. Throughout its history, it attracted famous cinematic cowboys like Will Rogers, who became an honorary director of the event; Gene Autry, who shot scenes for one of his early films at the California Rodeo Salinas; Richard Boone, star of Have Gun Will Travel; Amanda Blake of Gunsmoke fame; and a young up-and-comer named Clint Eastwood, star of the TV series Rawhide.
California Rodeo Salinas Events
Today, the California Rodeo Salinas is the largest rodeo in the state. It features three roughstock events (bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding) and three timed events (tie-down roping, steer wrestling and team roping), all PRCA-sanctioned. Between the events, trick riders and animal acts keep the audience entertained. In addition to these traditional events, visitors to the California Rodeo Salinas can watch bull fighting, barrel racing, the raucous Industrial Calf Dressing competition, and the return of the invitation-only Wild Cow Milking competition.
Pre-Rodeo Bull Riding Competition
The thrills begin even before the official Rodeo kickoff with a night of professional bull riding on Wednesday, July 14, 2010. Professional bull riders compete for a $40,000 purse.
Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night
On Thursday night, wear something pink for "Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night." The California Rodeo Salinas raises money for breast cancer research, donating $1 to the Breast Cancer Action Group of the Monterey Peninsula with every paid admission.
Cowboy Culture
The "Cowboys and Cabernet Cowboy Poetry Gathering" at Sherwood Hall in Salinas shows off the artistic side of cowboy culture on Friday, July 9. It combines three of Monterey County's favorite things: cowboys, wine, and poetry.
Family Fun Events
The Rodeo Carnival, a tradition since the inception of the California Rodeo Salinas, offers everything a visitor could want in a country carnival, including thrilling rides, games of skill, and delicious fair food. Teens visiting the California Rodeo Salinas have a space of their own with the Teen Lounge, which features video games and chances to win prizes. Their younger siblings can play at the Kids Corral, which has bounce houses and a petting zoo. Another fun-filled family event held during the Rodeo's Big Week is the Stick Horse Race just before the start of the Rodeo on Friday.
Parades
2010 will celebrate the return of a California Rodeo Salinas tradition - the Colma Parade. Once the greatest night-lighted parade west of the Mississippi, the Colma Parade has not taken place since the 1980s. This parade will light up the streets of Salinas Saturday night, July 10, 2010.
The 80th annual Kiddie Kapers Parade also takes place in Old Town Salinas on July 10th, giving children the chance to show off their cowboy and cowgirl side. The theme for 2010's parade is "100 years of Big Hats and Buckaroos," and the best dressed kiddies receive cash prizes!
Centennial Music Stampede
The California Rodeo Salinas has a fantastic lineup for this year's Saturday night concert! Country music star Dwight Yoakam headlines the Centennial Rodeo Music Stampede on Saturday, July 17. He's joined by country music duo Miss Willie Brown, the Bell Brothers and Michael James Martin. The show begins at 7pm. Tickets are $47 for VIPs and $22 for general admission seats and can be purchased at the California Rodeo Salinas box office or the official ticketing website.
Rodeo Tickets
To purchase tickets and for more information, call 800-771-8807 or 831-775-3100 or visit the official California Rodeo Salinas website.
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