PrintCalifornia Rodeo Salinas Centennial
This isn’t your ordinary rodeo. With 100 years of action under its belt, the California Rodeo Salinas is hosting a legendary celebration with numerous events from July 9 to 18. Commemorating a century of tradition, the event will draw more than 700 of the best cowboys and cowgirls to compete in Salinas, California. What once started as a Wild West Show in the early 1900s with the first official rodeo held in 1911, the event has become the largest rodeo in the Golden State.
Rightfully called “Big Week,” the affair is jampacked with entertainment and kicks off on July 9 with Cowboys & Cabernet, a cowboy poetry and wine tasting event featuring cowboy entertainers Baxter Black and Dave Stamey. And for the first time since 1987, the Colmo del Rodeo Parade will take to the streets of Old Town Salinas on July 10, commemorating what was once the largest night parade west of the Mississippi.
The true rodeo action begins on July 14, when 45 of the world’s best bull riders will compete for more than $40,000 at the Salinas Sports Complex. A 2010 Wrangler Million Dollar ProRodeo stop, the California Rodeo Salinas is one of the top 15 rodeos in the United States with the coveted gold and silver Salinas belt buckle and almost $400,000 in prize money. From July 15 –18 the rodeo is estimated to draw more than 50,000 fans and boasts crowd-pleasing action, including bull riding, team roping, saddle bronc riding, and steer wrestling.
In honor of its milestone anniversary, the rodeo is starting its own Hall of Fame, with the inaugural induction to take place on July 15th. Although 100 years of excitement have passed, the California Salinas Rodeo’s mission remains the same — to preserve and promote western heritage and the tradition of the working cowboy.
For more information or to purchase tickets to California Rodeo Salinas events, call 800.771.8807 or visit www.carodeo.com.
