Rowell Parade, Chili Cook-off Returns in 2022
Two great community events return to Castro Valley on Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14: The Chili Cook-off (May 13) and the Annual Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade (May 14), both sponsored and hosted by the Rotary Club of Castro Valley! The Annual Rotary-sponsored Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade will be celebrating its 38th year in Castro Valley (after two pandemic years off) and honoring the 100th anniversary of the Rowell Ranch Rodeo.
Parade Chair and President-elect of The Rotary Club of Castro Valley, Lytrel Carter, invite the entire community to get involved in the parade as participant or spectator. Chair Carter stated that “We are very hopeful that the parade will again feature schools (public, private and faith-based), school bands, churches, youth sport teams, community clubs, car clubs, horses, carriages, floats, and will honor our Military, veterans and currently serving, First Responders from the CHP and Alameda County Sheriff’s Department, animals of all sorts, clowns, and elected officials.” Chair Carter invites interested individuals and organizations interested in participating in the parade to visit the parade website at www.rowellranchrodeoparade.com for more information and the entry form. Prizes are awarded in each category (1st, 2nd and 3rd) and are awarded right after the parade in the staging area in the Castro Valley BART parking lot.
An Art and Essay Contest is open to students in Castro Valley in grades K-2, 3-4 and 5-6 whether in public, private, faith-based or homeschool under the guidance of Art and Essay Chair Dawn Ortiz. Awards are presented to the first, second and honorable mention(s) in each category. Entry information is available at www.rowellranchrodeoparade.com.
Chili Cook-off Chair Randy Vanderbilt is excited that Rotary is once again and invites prospective Chili cookers who wish to enter the Cook-off to contact him directly at (510) 882-1114. Randy stated “This is going to be a great event to a kick-off the Parade weekend. Please plan now to register a Chili Team in the event or attend and show your support for the evening.” The Chili Cook-off will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Grounds on Dublin Canyon Boulevard. Registration to cook is at CVChiliCookoff.com. Come sample the chili entries and vote for your favorites!
Both the Chili Cook-off and the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade committees encourage individuals, schools, churches and other organizations to sign up early and have a great Castro Valley weekend promoting their passions, and to illustrate what separates Castro Valley from other communities. The Rotary Club of Castro Valley is pleased to sponsor these great events and invest the revenue back to the community.
The Rotary Club of Castro Valley is currently providing hybrid meetings with both in-person luncheons at Redwood Canyon and online on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. Speakers and links to the meetings are posted at www.castrovalleyrotary.org under Upcoming Events. The Club welcomes individuals who want to make a positive impact locally, nationally, and internationally.
