As June approaches, the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce wanted the public to know that it will no longer be hosting the Annual Saddle Horse Show Parade, typically held the Thursday night before the Rodeo. According to Juli Vieira, Chamber CEO: “The board of directors voted last year after the event to turn the parade over to the Saddle Horse Show Association.” The Chamber’s focus is economic development and tourism (through grants from the City of Hollister & County of San Benito) and the board felt this event no longer met our goals. Sponsorships of the event had fallen over the years, and the chamber was absorbing the cost that it could no longer continue to do.
The Saddle Horse Show Association was notified via personal phone calls and an official letter dated October 28, 2016. “We tried to enlist other nonprofit groups to take over the event but due to the cost and manpower needed no other group was in a position to take on the task,” said Vieira.
The Saddle Horse Show Parade has been a long standing tradition and I remember as a child the entire town turned out for the event. Stores closed, everyone entered the parade and it was a community event. Over the past five years entries along with attendance have declined and volunteers are very hard to find, according to Vieira.
“I think the weather has a lot to do with it no one wants to stand in the middle of the hot street for two hours trying to keep cars off San Benito Street, last year we had a volunteer almost get hit by a car that thought the barricades did not pertain to them.
“The City of Hollister and Veteran’s Memorial Building have been wonderful partners in assisting the Chamber over the past years and we appreciate their continue support. I hope that by giving this event back to the Saddle Horse Show Association they are able to bring back the feel and tradition of the event as it fits their mission statement.”
From the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce
