One event that kids and parents both look forward to each year during Big Week is the Stick Horse Race. The 2016 race, presented by Black Bear Diner, takes place on Thursday July 21st at 4:30pm. Kids can sign up at 4pm near the entrance to the McDonald’s/Fresh Express Kids Corral at the north end of the west grandstand at the Salinas Sports Complex at 1034 N. Main Street. Children ages 3 to 8 years old need to bring a parent and their own stick horse to sign up for this free event. Age categories are broken up as: 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8 year olds. The preliminary races will take place at 4:30pm and the top 6 contestants in each age category will then race in the finals during the Rodeo performance that night after 6pm. The first place winner of each group will receive an official belt buckle. Information about the stick horse race can be found at: http://www.carodeo.com/events/2016/stick-horse-race.
Other Events & Activities for Children during Big Week
The Rodeo Carnival kicks off on Friday July 15th. Open daily until the 24th from 3pm to 11pm, the carnival is located on Sun Way in Salinas; admission is only $3.00 and unlimited ride passes can be purchased for $30.00 and parking is $5.00.
The Kiddie Kapers Parade will take place Saturday July 16th at 6:30pm in Old Town Salinas. The theme is #SaddleUp for this favored event presented by The Salinas Californian. Children of all ages can line up at the Salinas Recreation Center at 320 Lincoln Avenue in Salinas starting at 5pm that day. The parade is free and category information and more can be found at www.CARODEO.com. Stay out that night to watch the Colmo del Rodeo Parade, presented by Star Market, which starts at 8pm.
The McDonald’s/Fresh Express Kids Corral will be open daily during the California Rodeo July 21st-24th. This family-friendly area full of activities for kids opens at 5pm on Thursday and Friday nights and at 11am on Saturday and Sunday. There is no admission fee for this area with your admission ticket.
Dress the kids in pink on Thursday July 21st for Tough Enough to Wear Pink night presented by Rabobank.
The kids can enjoy watching the Mutton Busting, presented by The Laurel Inn Motel & Conference Center, daily from July 21st-24th. Entries closed in June and all spots are filled, but get your entry in early to participate in the 2017 Mutton Busting. Check www.CARODEO.com in early spring for entry information.
There is also an autograph party following each performance of the California Rodeo July 21st-24th where kids can get signatures and meet Rodeo Clowns and other stars. Free posters are distributed; just line up on the track as soon as the performance finishes and the track is cleared.
Your best source for detailed information about each of the events listed above is www.CARODEO.com.
Photo by Richard Field Levine.
About the California Rodeo
The 106th California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 21st-24th, 2016. The California Rodeo Association is a non-profit organization that strives to preserve and promote the traditions of the California Rodeo Salinas and the West. We support the community and other non-profit organizations through the staging of the annual California Rodeo Salinas and other year round operations of the Salinas Sports Complex. Through donation of our facility, vending and fundraising opportunities during Rodeo and other events, the California Rodeo Association returns over $300,000 annually to local non-profits. For more information about the California Rodeo Salinas, log on to www.CARodeo.com or call the California Rodeo Office at 831-775.3100. ‘Like’ the California Rodeo on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CARodeoSalinas or follow us on twitter @CaliforniaRodeo for updates, photos and more.