The Salinas Rodeo is a respected community event with a history that stretches back more than 100 years. At MY Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram in Salinas, CA, we’re excited about being Champion Sponsors of this outstanding community activity that celebrates the Salinas cowboy tradition. Back when the rodeo first started in 1911, the most common off-road transportation here in Salinas was a horse. Today, we enjoy helping our local neighbors have off-road fun in new SUVs like the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Grand Cherokee, delivering horsepower in a whole new way. As a tribute to this long-time community event, here's some information about the history and activities that comprise the Salinas Rodeo.
The early history of the Salinas Rodeo
The Salinas Rodeo was an originally known as the Wild West Show and it was held at the Sherwood Racetrack. In 1912, 4,000 people attended a rodeo that featured local cowboys riding bucking horses. In the 1920s the California Rodeo established a permanent home at Sherwood Park, with a new grandstand that included 8,000 seats. The 1940s saw the attack on Pearl Harbor and World War II. New events like wild horse races and trick riders were introduced on the track. Celebrity guests in the 1950s included Richard Boone from “Have Gun Will Travel” and Clint Eastwood from the TV show “Rawhide.”
A more recent history of the Salinas Rodeo
In the 1960s, the rodeo launched Cowgirl Barrel Racing and once again welcomed Clint Eastwood along with actress Amanda Blake who played “Kitty” on the TV show “Gunsmoke.” The rodeo added Wrangler Bull Fights in the 1970s and revived a tradition of driving steers down Main Street. The rodeo complex added a new historical Museum in the 1980s and started a new Special Buckaroo Rodeo. New grandstands were built in the 1990s that more than doubled the seating capacity. The Professional Bull Riding event was held for the first time right before the rodeo.
The California Rodeo was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in the 2000s and the replay screen brought the exciting action closer to the crowds. In the 2010s, we celebrated our Centennial with a rodeo that was full of pageantry. Today the California Rodeo Salinas is privileged to have more than 200 sponsors. We look back on Kickoff Concert events that featured popular artists like Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw. Last year the Salinas Rodeo was able to donate more than $100,000 to local non-profit and community events.
Upcoming events at the California Salinas Rodeo
The California Rodeo Salinas will present the second annual Country Christmas on Thursday, December 12th at the Salinas Sports Complex at 1034 N. Main Street. The event is sponsored by MYCARS.com, the family of dealerships that include MY Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram. Friends and neighbors from nearby communities like Watsonville and Morgan Hill are invited to attend.
The next California Rodeo Salinas will happen July 17-20, 2025 with two night and two day performances. It’s worth noting that the California Rodeo Salinas has become one of the top 15 professional rodeos in America out of more than 600 nationwide and it’s the largest rodeo in California. With more than 110 years of tradition and a lot of fun for everyone, it's an event our friends in Gilroy and Monterey should put on their calendars. The top cowboys will be featured and there will be food and shopping vendors as part of the festivities. It’s an affordable community event for the whole family.
This is not our first rodeo
The MY Cars family of dealerships has been serving the needs of California drivers for more than 35 years and it’s our privilege to help sponsor the California Salinas Rodeo. We invite you to look over our new inventory to find the Jeep, RAM, Chrysler or Dodge that's most appealing to you and schedule a test drive at MY Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram in Salinas, CA.