The California Rodeo Salinas partners with many local non-profits to generate funds and awareness for their programs. Each day of the 107th California Rodeo will feature a different theme.
Thursday July 21st is Rabobank’s Tough Enough to Wear Pink night. Wrangler founded the Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign that helps rodeos raise money for breast cancer research and support in their local communities. Everyone is encouraged to wear pink and $1 from each ticket sold Thursday night will be donated to the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System. Thursday is also the night for the Stick Horse Race, presented by Black Bear Diner. Gates open at 4pm and children can sign up at 4pm to race at 4:30 with the top runners coming back in the performance that night. The new Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2017 will be crowned just before the show starts at 6:30pm.
Friday July 21st is Wells Fargo’s Fight Hunger Night. The Produce Mascot Race takes place on the track to benefit Ag Against Hunger with eleven companies providing mascots to race this year: Bengard Ranches, Church Brothers, Dole Fresh Vegetables, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Fresh Express, Ocean Mist Farms, Pacific International Marketing, Sakata Seeds, Tanimura & Antle, Taylor Farms and The Nunes Company. Last year the mascots rode bouncing ponies down the track; come out this year to see what their challenge will be.
Saturday July 22nd is a day full of distinct celebrations. First, our Military will be honored as it is Salute to Military Day. All active Military and Veterans receive free admission with current identification. Wear red, white and blue to support the Military and the Wrangler National Patriot Program (WNPP). The program was created to provide funding and support for America’s wounded and fallen soldiers and their families. The Monterey Bay Veterans is the local beneficiary of the WNPP and they do great things to reintegrate Wounded Warriors and Veterans by fishing and diving on custom outfitted boats. Tanimura & Antle presents the Special Buckaroos Rodeo on the track at noon. Professional cowboys and cowgirls will team up with special needs children and participate in a “makeshift” rodeo on the track where the children become cowboys and cowgirls for the day. Parachute jumpers will descend into the arena with an American Flag during the National Anthem.
On the Pendleton Whisky Day of Champions Sunday July 23rd, the California Rodeo Salinas is also raising awareness for domestic violence with the Man Up Crusade, a non-profit organization dedicated to that cause. Purple is the color adopted to show support for victims and for advocates to honor those who have lost their lives at the hands of someone they once loved. Fans and contestants are encouraged to wear purple to show their support. The local beneficiary of the Man Up Crusade is the YWCA of Monterey County. They are the only sole-source provider of domestic violence services in the County, including counseling for adults and children, legal advocacy and court accompaniment and more.
The California Rodeo Salinas takes pride in being active in our community and aiding the worthy causes listed above, but we couldn’t do it without our loyal sponsors. Find a full list of 2017 California Rodeo Salinas sponsors here:
http://www.carodeo.com/p/get-involved/209 PHOTO BY PHIL DOYLE.
About California Rodeo Salinas
The 107th California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 20th-23rd, 2017. 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.