Three weeks removed from San Benito County’s annual rodeo, our neighbors in Salinas are holding an even bigger version of well-ordered horsing around.
The culmination of Big Week, as it’s called, the 94th annual California Rodeo Salinas runs through the weekend at the Salinas Sports Complex.
It’s highlighted Sunday by a competition that’s part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association tour – the same guys and gals you can watch competing on national cable just about any weekend.
Sunday’s rodeo likely will be on ESPN 2, “The Deuce,” within a couple of months, said Sally Hamana, marketing director for the event.
The competition starts at 1 p.m., and tickets range from $16-25, Hamana said.
“What they can expect to see first and foremost are the top rodeo athletes,” Hamana said.
Another highlight is the daily horse parades, which take place at noon on Saturday and Sunday. Hamana said it’s the biggest of all equestrian horse parades in the state.
And Hamana mentioned an array of activities, she believes, that offer something for kids and adults of all ages.
While the pros compete in the arena, people can visit a carnival area, shop or eat, she said. There’s also barbecues, a kiddy parade, the Miss California Rodeo pageant, a western swing dance and other events.
Rodeo visitors come from all over the state, said Hamana, who named off San Benito, Fresno, San Francisco and Sacramento as places where many people come from. In total, about 50,000 people attend the rodeo each year, she said.
Gates open Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at 10 a.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
For more information go to www.carodeo.com or call 775-3100.
