Thousands of people flocked to downtown Hollister for the Saddle
Horse Parade Thursday, signaling the start of one of the county’s
longest-running traditions, the 73rd San Benito County Saddle Horse
Show and Rodeo.
Thousands of people flocked to downtown Hollister for the Saddle Horse Parade Thursday, signaling the start of one of the county’s longest-running traditions, the 73rd San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.
Residents and out-of-towners alike began setting up chairs along the parade route early Thursday morning in anticipation of the 29th annual San Benito County Chamber of Commerce Saddle Horse Parade. At the same time, 80 organizations put the finishing touches on their floats, said Liz Sparling, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s a family event to bring awareness to the traditions of San Benito County,” she said. “And it’s also a great kick-off to the rodeo weekend.”
Kaia, 3, dragged her grandparents William and Cindy Vickery to this year’s parade so she could see all the excitement for herself. For Kaia, the best part of the parade was definitely “the horses and the clowns,” she said.
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 of the first to wave to the crowd-lined streets was the recently crowned Miss San Benito Rodeo 2006, Alethea Prewett.
And it wasn’t just locals who rode in this year’s parade. A delegation of 18 people from Hollister’s sister city, Kato City, Japan, also appeared in this year’s parade.
San Benito County Sheriff Curtis Hill rode in the parade in a police cruiser with his son, Kevin, 16.
“It’s a good tradition for the sheriff,” he said. “I’m in the parade every year and I always ride with my son. He’s my parade partner.”
Hill was followed by a dozen members of the San Benito County Sheriff’s Mounted Search and Rescue team. It was the first time the group of highly trained rescuers has appeared in the parade. Hill said he was “proud” to be accompanied by the group.
Unfortunately, parade staple John Hodges, the county clerk, was unable to attend this year’s festivities as he has done for the last three decades. A fire at Hodges’ San Benito County ranch, which threatened eight bulls, prevented him from attending.
“I thought we were going to have a barbecue, but don’t worry, we moved the bulls to another field,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve missed, but I’ll be there next year.”
After the parade, many gathered at the Veterans Memorial Building on San Benito Street for food, music and rodeo roping demonstrations. The 73rd annual San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo begins today at Bolado Park in Tres Pinos.
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
