Thousands of Hollisterites, young and old, lined San Benito
Street Thursday evening to catch a glimpse of the rodeo queen,
admire the horses and floats and meet up with old friends.
Hollister – Thousands of Hollisterites, young and old, lined San Benito Street Thursday evening to catch a glimpse of the rodeo queen, admire the horses and floats and meet up with old friends.
The 28th annual Saddle Horse Parade is a home-town tradition, said Crandall, who had his 3-year-old daughter with him.
“It’s tradition and you get to see people you don’t usually see everyday,” Crandall said.
But Caitlin wasn’t as interested in the people, she had her eyes on the big horses.
Residents began setting up chairs along the parade route early this morning in anticipation of the 28th annual San Benito County Chamber of Commerce Saddle Horse Parade. Eighty organizations entered into the parade, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Saddle Horse Association, this year and created dozens of floats, said Liz Sparling, San Benito County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
“It’s a really wonderful way to highlight the western traditions of Hollister,” Sparling said. “It’s also a really important event for people to gather together and have a good time.”
The parade started on Palmtag Street and continued down San Benito Street to Fifth Street. Thousands of people packed in together along the sidewalks to watch the meticulously designed floats and groomed horses pass by.
One the first to greet the crowd lined-streets was the recently crowned Miss San Benito Rodeo 2005, Caili Beebe, accompanied by her royal court, Jennifer Grace, Samantha Ceglia and Amanda Jacobsen.
San Benito County Clerk John Hodges rode in the parade on his horse, Jack. Yesterday morning his grandchildren groomed Jack to perfection in preparation of the parade, Hodges said. Hodges has been riding in the parade for more than 20 years, and Jack has made the march for the last for the last 15.
For Hodges, the best part about riding in the parade is the children who come out to watch.
“The little kids go bonkers,” Hodges said. “They like to pet Jack’s nose because it’s real soft.”
Hodges said the downtown parade is so important to Hollister because it connects the entire community.
“It brings people together for enjoyment, for horses,” Hodges said.
The parade is also about family, especially for Hollister Fire Department Captain Mark Stelling. Stelling and his family, dressed in stars and stripes, rode in the mounted group and pulled a mechanical bull to represent the longhorn cattle tradition of Stelling Ranch. Stelling, his wife Jimene and eldest daughter Laila all took turns roping the steer and waving to parade watchers. Stelling’s youngest daughters, Haylie and Sierra, even rode on horseback and got into the roping action.
“This is my little girls’ big day,” Stelling said. “It’s their time to show off, to be proud of their horses and of their family.”
Stelling has been riding in the parade for the last seven years and it has become a tradition for his family. For the last three years Stelling Ranch has won the first-place ribbon in the mounted category.
Unlike Crandall and his daughter, Hollister Police Department Captain Bob Brooks wasn’t just at the parade to watch, he was also working to keep the streets clear and the crowd under control. Still, he was having a good time.
“This parade is one the reasons I stayed here in Hollister,” Brooks said.
After the parade family and friends gathered at the Veterans Memorial Building on San Benito Street for a fiesta. Food and drinks were served and the crowed listened to live music.
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
