Press Release

03/10/2014

One of the many traditions that locals recall when they think of Big Weeks of the past is the Colmo del Rodeo Parade. Since being revived in 2010 for the centennial anniversary of the Rodeo, the Colmo has become a family event that the community has once again embraced. People line the streets of Old Town Salinas early with their chairs to get a prime viewing spot for the event. Preceded by the Kiddie Kapers Parade starting at 6:30pm, the Colmo del Rodeo Parade kicks off at 8pm and features over 60 lighted entries including floats, bands, drill teams, antique vehicles and more.

Each year the Colmo del Rodeo Parade Committee chooses a Grand Marshal to lead the festivities and this year that person is Tatum Bakker. Tatum and her family have had a tremendous impact on our community by fundraising and building Tatum’s Garden, a fully inclusive and accessible playground with modified features that allow everyone to partake in park activities. The park is located just behind the arena at the Salinas Sports Complex and is an asset to the residents here as it stays busy, full of children and adults playing and using the equipment. Tatum is a three and a half year old Salinas native who has spina bifida. Her parents, Amanda and Shawn, are the visionaries behind this park and Tatum has become a local hero and champion for this cause. Her smiling face, along with her entire family including siblings Wyatt and Olivia, will lead the Colmo del Rodeo Parade, reminding the community of the great things that are possible when everyone comes together for a worthy cause.

To enter the Colmo del Rodeo Parade, fill out a form online and submit digitally at http://www.carodeo.com/events_detail.aspx?id=95. You can also download and print a form from that same web page to mail in. The forms are also available for pick up at the California Rodeo Office during business hours of 9am to 5pm Monday-Friday at 1034 N. Main Street in Salinas. Entry forms are due by June 1, 2014. Our goal is to make this parade unique to the Salinas area. We want entertaining, creative and exciting entries. Spectators will remember your organization with that type of entry. Participate with a float, push float, music, colorful costumes or uniformed attire, drill or dance routines, antique or well decorated vehicles and more.

Thank you to Alco Water Company for being a Nickel Sponsor of the 2014 parade. To sponsor the Colmo del Rodeo Parade and become a part of this Salinas tradition, call Victoria Rossi at 831-775-3109 or Barbara Balentine at 831-775-3104. Packages can be customized to suit your business needs, are affordable and include various levels of exposure along with tickets for the VIP reception with a special viewing area held at the Steinbeck Center during both the Kiddie Kapers and Colmo del Rodeo parades.

To learn more about Tatum’s Garden, visit http://www.tatumsgarden.org/#&panel1-1


About the California Rodeo Salinas
The California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 17-20, 2014. The California Rodeo Association is a not-for-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 $350,000 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.