The California Rodeo Salinas, spanning July 18th-21st, offers a variety of activities designed especially for children, beginning Friday, July 12th, and extending through the week.
The Rodeo Carnival kicks off on Friday, July 12th, operating daily from 3 pm to 11 pm until Sunday, July 21st at 295 Sun Way in Salinas. Presented by JoyPer’s Shoes, admission and parking are only $5 each. Early bird unlimited ride wristbands are available for $25 until July 11th, with prices rising to $35 from July 12th through the 21st. Purchase wristbands online at carodeo.com or the Rodeo Ticket Office during the carnival dates. More information can be found at https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/rodeocarnival.
The annual Kiddie Kapers Parade, presented by Sakata Seed America, takes place on Sunday, July 14th at 3:00 pm in the Salinas City Center. Approximately 1,000 children will parade from the Salinas Recreation Center at 320 Lincoln Avenue to the Steinbeck Center at 1 Main Street, celebrating the theme ‘Growing Champions’ with Grand Marshal Kelly Mata-Navarro, a twelve-year-old cancer survivor. Learn more at https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/kiddie-kapers-parade.
Mutton Busting, presented by Pacific Valley Bank, runs from July 18th to 21st during the Big Week Bull Riding Xtreme Bulls and California Rodeo performances. Entries are selected through carodeo.com in June each year.
The McDonald’s Kids Corral, open daily during the Rodeo from July 18th to the 21st with no additional fee, offers a variety of activities starting at 5 pm on Thursday and Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday. Details are available at https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/kids-corral.
Rodeo Entertainer Austin Singley, sponsored by Elli’s Great American Restaurant, will perform as the Green Hat Clown daily from July 18th to 21st. More information can be found at https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/austinsingley.
The California Rodeo Stick Horse Race, presented by Black Bear Diner, takes place on Thursday, July 18th with preliminary races at 4:30 pm on the track surrounding the arena. Children ages 3-8 can participate with their own stick horses. Sign-up details can be found at https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/stick-horse-race.
There will be a Dummy Roping contest presented by Resistol and Cactus Ropes in the arena on Friday, July 19th at approximately 3:30 pm (after slack finishes). Kids ages 6-13 must sign up online at https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/2024-kids-dummy-roping by noon on July 19th. Participants must bring their ropes; prizes will be awarded to 1st-3rd places in all age groups.
On Saturday, July 20th at noon, the Special Buckaroos Rodeo, presented by Tanimura & Antle, will feature twenty-four Monterey County students with disabilities engaging in rodeo activities with assistance from professionals. Learn more at https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/special-buckaroos-rodeo.
The SafetEquip Autograph Party, sponsored by SafetEquip, follows each Rodeo performance from July 18th to 21st, offering kids the chance to meet Rodeo Clowns and other personalities. Free posters are distributed. Details are available at https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/autograph-party.
A new addition this year, Fiestas del Rodeo, will take place on Sunday, July 21st from 11 am to 3 pm at the north end of the midway next to the Kids Corral. This family-friendly event, included with admission, will feature traditional Mexican games, mariachi music, and autographs from Escaramuza riders. More information can be found at https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/fiestasdelrodeo.
Children can also enjoy the performances of two Western actors roaming the grounds from July 18th to 21st. Details are available at https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/western-actor-performances.
Look out for Dude, the California Rodeo’s mascot, who will be wandering the midway each day before performances, ready for photo opportunities.
Older children can explore the California Rodeo Heritage Museum, open daily during the event. Learn more at https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/heritage-museum, where the Rodeo aims to instill Western heritage from a young age.
Most events are held at the Salinas Sports Complex (1034 N. Main Street, Salinas), with off-site locations noted. A clear bag policy will be enforced for all events at the Salinas Sports Complex: https://www.carodeo.com/p/about-us/clearbagpolicy.
About California Rodeo Salinas
The 114th California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 18-21, 2024. 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 donations of our facility, vending, and fundraising opportunities during Rodeo and other events, the California Rodeo Association created opportunities for non-profits and community groups to receive over $771,000 in 2023. For more information about the California Rodeo Salinas, log on to www.CARodeo.com or call the California Rodeo Office at 831-775-3100.