Thanks for Rowell Ranch Parade’s Many Years

Dear Castro Valley Community,

For many years the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade has provided entertainment for the community and support for the Rowell Ranch Rodeo — a more than 100-year tradition that will continue its rich history of cowboy can do, riding and showmanship.
The RRR Parade was originally started in Hayward by Harry and Maggie Rowell and subsequently the Hayward Rotary Club took on the responsibility of presenting the parade in downtown Hayward.

In 1981 the parade was brought to Castro Valley by the Rotary Club of Castro Valley at the hands of Dwight Perry and his family (wife, Barbara and daughter, Joyce) as well as, Cliff Sherwood, Dale Yearian, Dave and Bill Fitcher, and their families and many, many others along the way.

The event would not have succeeded without the dedication of folks like Linda Parker (who wrangled entries for more than 30 years), Bruce Johnson, Dan Willits, Randy Vanderbilt, Mel Speed (of the Music Company) and the families and circle of friends and employees of these folks, all of whom carried the heavy lifting on the day of the event.
To the local youth sports organizations, schools, businesses, politicians, civic and service clubs, along with private citizens, thank you. All of you made your marks along Castro Valley Boulevard on parade day.

To the generous sponsors and underwriters who helped fund this event year after year; Redwood Christian Schools, Carol Bigelow, Pete’s Hardware, Eden Medical Center, Castro Valley Hayward Storage, Comfort Inn, Supervisor Nate Miley, Classy Canine’s Wiggle Rumps, Nixxit Junk Removal, and so many more, your contributions have been invaluable. The RRR Parade simply would not have been possible without these generous benefactors. Of course, we would be remiss to not acknowledge our friends at East Bay Publishing, who have helped tell our event stories for years.

We are also immensely grateful to the public safety, transportation, and health agencies (Alameda County Sherriff’s Office, BART, CVSAN, California Highway Patrol – Golden Gate Division, Alameda County Public Works, the MAC Board, Supervisor Miley, and the Alameda County Fire Department) that ensured the safety, sanitation, and smooth flow of traffic during our parades.

Castro Valley has a rich history of ranching and in many ways still holds much of its cowboy culture of fierce independence and “can do” work ethic. Over the years, the RRR Parade has provided a place for that culture to shine and bring our community together in a way that words cannot fully capture. The Club is grateful to have provided an event that has been a source of joy, unity, and civic pride for Castro Valley residents.

While we may be bidding farewell to this chapter of our club, we look forward to continuing our mission of “Service Above Self”. The club remains committed to Castro Valley, and we invite you to join us on any Tuesday for lunch at Redwood Canyon Golf Course at Noon. Details of our meetings can be found at www.castrovalleyrotary.org See you at the Rowell Ranch Rodeo in May!

Sincerely,
Christian Carr
President 2023-2024
Castro Valley Rotary Club