No Rodeo Parade This Year
This year’s Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade down Castro Valley Boulevard has been canceled. Still, the Rodeo itself and its other associated events will go as planned, officials announced this past Friday.
Since 1981, the parade has been the kick-off to a week full of rodeo events leading up to the two-day professional contest, a community event that has taken place for more than 100 years in Castro Valley.
In a statement, the Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo association said the parade that traditionally takes place the weekend prior to the rodeo will not be held this year. The parade is expected to return in 2025 under the direction of the Rowell Ranch Rodeo committee, with new parade chairs Mel Speed and Ashley Strausburg at the helm.
The Rotary Club of Castro Valley, which has coordinated the parade for more than 40 years, decided in January that they could no longer do so.
“It is with heavy hearts that the Castro Valley Rotary Club made the difficult decision to discontinue the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade,” Castro Valley Rotary President Christian Carr said. “For more than 40 years, the parade has provided entertainment for the community and support for the Rowell Ranch Rodeo. Although we are stepping back from the parade, the club looks forward to supporting the parade in 2025 and beyond.”
Carr told the Forum that Rotary will coordinate with the new parade leadership and keep its support for other highlights of the parade event, such as the annual Art and Essay/Poem contests.
“We extend our appreciation to the Castro Valley Rotary for their many years of service. The Rowell Ranch Rodeo committee, new parade event chairs, volunteers, and nonprofit partners will bring back the parade in 2025, bigger and better than ever,” said Russ Fields, Rowell Ranch Rodeo President.
A Rowell Rodeo spokesperson said the naming, crowning, and appearance of the Rodeo Queen would also continue this year.
For next year, new co-chair Speed says the parade will closely resemble the community experience of the Castro Valley Light Parade in that the event will occur on a Saturday afternoon parade followed by music and food into the evening.
The parade entrants will still be registered, so it’s not come-one-come-all like the Light Parade,” Speed told the Forum. “But like the Light Parade, we’ll likely close the Boulevard around 3 p.m. Then, after the parade itself, there will be more to do, and we’ll close around 9 p.m.”
Even without a parade this year, organizers say the Rodeo will continue to celebrate the region’s ranching, equestrian, and cultural heritage, including a week of activities leading up to rodeo weekend.
Run-up events include the Cecil Jones Cowboy Challenge, Cowgirl Picnic, local team roping event, and the Rockin’ Bull Bash.
The 102nd Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo is set to take place May 17-19. Tickets will go on sale at the end of February or are always available at the gate on the day of the event.
Visit RowellRanchRodeo.com to learn more.