California Rodeo Salinas

Specialties

The California Rodeo Salinas is the largest rodeo in California and one of the top 15 professional rodeos in the United States with top cowboys and cowgirls competing here. Held annually starting the third Thursday of July, the Rodeo is a community celebration that lasts several days and is referred to as Big Week. Events include concerts, cowboy poetry, a carnival, barbecues and more.

History

Established in 1911.

THEN: In 1911 the rodeo, known as the Wild West Show, was held at the Sherwood Race Track grounds. It was a week long event, thus the name, «Big Week». In 1912, playing host to 4,000 people, the rodeo featured mostly local cowboys and cowgirls riding bucking horses. Two years later the event became known as the California Rodeo.

NOW: 2010 brought our Centennial Celebration with a Rodeo full of pageantry even more grand than a normal year at the California Rodeo Salinas. The Grand Entry included a giant boot and a horse and rider emerging from the top presenting the American Flag. 2010 was the first year of our Hall of Fame Inductions. In 2014 a wall was erected to honor those that have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. 2013 brought motorcycle jumpers to the track for entertainment and the crowd loved them so much that we brought them back in 2014 and will do the same in 2015. Almost 200 sponsors support the California Rodeo Salinas and other events held at the complex.