The California Rodeo Association is excited to invite the community to the 2nd annual Country Christmas Celebration presented by MYCARS.com on Thursday December 12th at the Salinas Sports Complex. This free, family-friendly event will take place from 5pm to 8pm, offering a festive evening of holiday activities, including complimentary photos with Cowboy Santa Claus*, hot cocoa, candy canes, letters to Santa, and more. The night will culminate with the lighting of a 20-foot tree, generously donated by Jenkinson Family Christmas Trees, which will remain lit through the new year.
One of the main attractions will be the distribution of 1,500 toys** to children ages 2 to 12 made possible by generous donations from event donors and sponsors and Compass Church of Monterey County. Compass Church is actively seeking toy donations for toys valued at $25.
“After the success of our inaugural event in 2023, we’re thrilled to bring Country Christmas back for another year,” said Rodeo President Steve Davis. “We've worked hard to improve the logistics, and we can’t wait to share this magical evening with the community. We invite everyone to bring their families and join us for a festive night of celebration and fellowship.”
In addition to the tree-lighting ceremony, taking place at 7:45 PM, guests will enjoy live entertainment from The Compass Church Choir and traditional Folklorico dancing by Luna Creciente. A variety of food vendors will be on-site, offering tacos, kettle corn, mini donuts, baked potatoes, and more.
The California Rodeo Association is currently seeking sponsors and donors to help support this community event at minimal cost. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Victoria Carlisle at 831-775-3109 or vcarlisle@carodeo.com.
For full event details, visit: https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/country-christmas.
Please note: A clear bag policy will be enforced for this event.
*One photo per family.
**Children must be present to receive toys. 1,500 tickets will be distributed for toy pick-up.
About California Rodeo Salinas
The 115th California Rodeo Salinas is set to take place from July 17-20, 2025. As a not-for-profit organization, the California Rodeo Association is committed to preserving and celebrating the rich traditions of the California Rodeo Salinas and the Western way of life, while fostering community involvement and cultural heritage. Through its annual rodeo and the year-round operations of the Salinas Sports Complex, the Association provides valuable support to the community and other non-profits. In 2024, these efforts generated over $796,000 for local non-profit organizations and community groups through donations, vending, and fundraising opportunities. For more information, visit www.CARodeo.com or call the California Rodeo Office at 831-775-3100.