Saddle up, y’all.
One of the county’s oldest traditions will once again bring trotting horses and a host of business floats strutting down San Benito Street on June 24.
Planning is set for the 71st annual Saddle Horse Show Parade, the kick-off to a down-home weekend at Bolado Park’s Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.
The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce puts on the Saddle Horse Show Parade. It’s Hollister’s taste of the festivities that also includes a barbecue and a fiesta with music, according to chamber Executive Director Theresa Kiernan.
Although the central theme is always horse- and rodeo-related, other community businesses and organizations, such as Galaxy Cheer, will round out this year’s entries, she said.
“A parade is all about the entire community,” Kiernan said.
About 80 entries will take part again in 2004, Kiernan said, simply because that’s all the surrounding streets can accommodate for pre-parade preparations.
After the parade – sponsored by 93.5 KOTR radio and Wells Fargo bank – a fiesta will take place in the plaza area next to the Veterans Memorial Building, Kiernan said.
Other coinciding events include pie eating and watermelon eating contests. And the chamber will award prizes for the business with the best dressed window, judging for which takes place Thursday, Kiernan said.
That business will also get its name on a wagon in the parade, and it will be brought into the grounds at the rodeo as well.
As far as the rodeo goes, Bolado office manager Ann Strickland said this year’s event has more kid-oriented activities such as face painting and pony rides. And the rodeo staples – such as a figure 8 roping contest – will be back again, she said.
“It is the Cadillac of events,” Strickland said.
For more information on the parade call the chamber at 637-5315 and for the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo call Bolado Park at 628-3421.
