California Rodeo Salinas

Thursday, September 23 - Sunday, September 26, 2021

2020 will mark the 110th anniversary of the California Rodeo Salinas! 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, the California Rodeo (locally pronounced ro-DAY-oh) Salinas attracts more than 600 top-ranked professional cowboys and cowgirls and is a family-friendly, affordable event featuring western entertainment, shopping and more. In addition, four 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 Rodeo Kick Off Concert provide a 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 rodear 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 1911, 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.