101st Annual Rowell Ranch Rodeo: Let’s Ride!
It’s Rodeo time again, and “Let’s Ride!” is the theme starting with the big kickoff parade down Castro Valley Boulevard this Saturday, May 13. The Castro Valley Rotary is again a proud sponsor, joined by Carol Bigelow, Classy Canine’s Wiggle Rumps grooming spa, Redwood Christian Schools, and Supervisor Nate Miley, among many others.
Start Parade Day itself off with the Alameda County Firefighters’ annual pancake breakfast, held at the fire station on San Miguel Avenue across from Adobe Park and just north of Castro Valley Boulevard. It starts at 7 a.m. and runs until 10 a.m. and benefits the ALCO firefighters' charity fund.
The parade leaves the staging area at the BART station, travels on Nunes Avenue, and reaches Castro Valley Boulevard at 10. It features marching bands and entries from community groups and local businesses, competing for prizes in several categories which will be awarded immediately after its conclusion.
More than 60 entries are expected to march, or ride, in the parade along Castro Valley Boulevard. Among them are veterans from the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Aahmes Shriners, and the Alameda County Sheriff's Mounted Posse. The Moose Lodge and Masonic Homes of California will be there, too.
Business groups sending entries include Classy Canine's Wiggle Rumps, Shamrock Realtors, Rowell Ranch’s own Saddlery store, and the law office of Eduardo Robles.
Rodeo Queen Olivia Sherman, who's been working with horses since she was 9, will reign again this year.
New among equestrian groups is the MOTA Posse from Rancho Jalisco on Crow Canyon, where their horses are boarded. It is made up of 11 riders between 35 and 48 years old, along with an 11-year-old!
Malia Frey will be riding her horse Barron in her first parade, finally fulfilling a childhood dream. Malia was raised in Kailua, Hawaii, then moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. She worked with horses in both places but never owned a horse of her own until she was 20 and had moved to Castro Valley. Barron is a 5-year-old Tennessee Walker Gelding.
Classic car lovers should keep their eyes peeled for Model A Fords from the Acorn A's, antique cars from both Fort Hunter Liggett (Monterey County) and Dublin’s Camp Parks Reserve Force Area, and convertibles and motorcycles driven by Korean and Vietnam war veterans of American Legion Post 649.
Marching bands include those from Castro Valley High School, the Pride of Hayward High, and the Prince Charles Pipe Band bagpipers.
Other schools in attendance include Palomares Elementary, the California Cross Point Academy and Redwood Christian School, joined by Cub Scout Pack 722 and Little League baseball players.
Also riding in the parade will be the winners of the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Art & Essay/Poem Contest, sponsored by the Castro Valley Rotary. Elementary school-aged children entered it in several categories, with different winners in kindergarten and first grade, second and third grade, and fourth and fifth grade. They submitted artwork, a short essay, or a short poem.
Kindergarteners and first graders were asked to describe one of the most exciting days of their lives, while second and third graders were asked to talk about their favorite way to get around in honor of the rodeo’s “Let's ride!” theme. Fourth and fifth graders were asked to describe a goal they hope to accomplish.
“It’s all happening because the people don’t just say it’s my parade. They say it’s our parade,” said Bruce Johnson, the superintendent emeritus of Redwood Christian School and long-time parade planner. “I can’t tell you how proud it makes me to be from Castro Valley and see how we all pull together for the parade.”
Early rodeo events include the Cecil Jones Cowboy Challenge, a 3-person team competition on Wednesday, May 17, at 4:00 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. barbecue and dance.
The rodeo takes place at the Rowell Rodeo Park off Highway 580 between Dublin and Castro Valley. Tickets are on sale now. Visit rowellranchrodeo.com for more information.