SALINAS — California Rodeo Salinas has been celebrated by the community throughout the past 110 years, but after postponing the 2020 event from July to October in hopes of continuing the tradition, the not-for-profit organization has determined that the ongoing restrictions due to Covid-19 will not allow the celebration to take place.
“We know that many events and celebrations have been canceled, but we really held out hope that the California Rodeo Salinas would happen this year even if it had to be pushed to a later date,” said Dave Pedrazzi, president of the California Rodeo Salinas, in a news release. “This rodeo is the largest community event held in Monterey County and ranked 10th in the United States out of more than 600 professional rodeos, so it was really tough to have to call it and let our community and contestants down, but we wish for the continued health of all of our supporters.”
The decision was made after much deliberation by the California Rodeo Salinas’ Covid-19 Response Committee, which has met weekly for the past few months. Pedrazzi said the organization looks forward to the community coming together July 15-18, 2021, for the 111th anniversary of the historic event.
Big Week is typically full of festivities, including the Big Week Carnival, Cowboy Shoot Out Golf Tournament, Kiddie Kapers Parade and Professional Bull Riding, but all those events will not take place in October after all. The Colmo del Rodeo Parade was previously canceled and the Big Week Kick Off Concert featuring Toby Keith has been postponed to July 9, 2021.
Updates for all events produced by the California Rodeo Association will be available at CARODEO.com as plans are solidified for 2021. Tickets for the 2021 Rodeo will go on sale in the spring of 2021.
