Get ready to get tough at this weekend’s Red Bluff Round-Up starting on April 15th and running through April 17th. The Red Bluff Round-Up has deep roots and history in the ranching world and dates back to 1918 when a group of ranchers, cowboys, and cattlemen gathered cattle during spring works and then decided to stick around for some fun and games. But not just any fun and games. True cattlemen showed off their ranching skills by competing against each other in roping, saddle-bronc riding, and even taking on some wild steers. The event was a knockout, and as they say, the rest is history.
1921 saw the first official Red Bluff Round-Up rodeo. This event is still running today, touting the distinction of being the largest three-day rodeo in the country, which just celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021. Not only does this rodeo bring people in from around the world, but it significantly impacts the economy of Tehama County, with more than seven million dollars a year spent at the rodeo, local restaurants, bars, and hotels. The week also includes other exciting activities like a bowling tournament, foot race, pancake breakfast, street dance, antique shows, Chamber mixer, golf tournament, chili cook-off, parade, Saturday night concert, and more.
If the history and local fares aren’t enough to draw you in, the competitors surely will! Household names like Spencer Wright and Tuf Cooper are just a few of the talented rodeo stars who show up to the event. The breakaway roping sees successful competitors like Lari Dee Guy and Jackie Crawford, and we can’t forget the steer wrestlers like Josh Garner, Nick Guy, and Stetson Jorgensen.
To catch all of the action, get to your seats early on Friday, April 15th, for the first performance kicking off at 7 pm. Saturday’s performance kicks off at 2:30 pm, followed by the Saturday night concert featuring Chancey Williams. April 17th sees the last performance happening at 1:30 pm. Sunday afternoon contains the famous and not politically correct “Red Bluff Wildest Ride” event. This might be your only chance to see drag queens, Britany Spears, and even Hillary Clinton launch out of the bucking chutes. The cowboy competitors are judged on their outlandish get-ups and how their horses buck with a payout of $7,500 this year. Get there an hour before each performance to catch the kids growing up to be cowboys competing in the Mutton Bustin’ event.
Not only does the Red Bluff Round-Up committee put on an event that will keep you on the edge of your seat, but they also give back to their community. The Golden Circle of Champions, a partnership between the Red Bluff Round-Up, Las Vegas Events, Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), and Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, honors children and their families fighting life-threatening cancer each year. Founded in 2016, 20 children and their families have been honored, and in 2021 the RBRU Directors chose 14-year-old Madi Swann as their Golden Circle Champion. This outgoing, cheerful, and outdoor-loving young woman was diagnosed with Precursor B Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (B-ALL). An aggressive (fast-growing) type of leukemia attacks Madi’s white blood cells. She is in intensive treatment, which will last two years. Her doctors have worked out her treatment plan to allow her to attend the Friday performance of the Red Bluff Round-Up The Red Bluff Round-Up Association is proud to have Madi as our Golden Circle of Champions recipient for 2022.
A rodeo with true, tough roots in ranching and a committee committed to putting on an exciting event each year while also giving back to their community makes this rodeo one of the most special in our nation. It’s an event you CAN NOT miss! Buy your tickets today and keep up to date on all the events by following along on Instagram and Facebook.
Credit to the Photographer: Crystal Amen
Crystal Amen was featured in our winter issue of Cowboy Lifestyle Magazine and was gracious enough to let us use some of her photos for this article. She has been capturing memories since 2013 and enjoys photographing everything from Weddings, Maternity/Newborn, Kids, Families, High School & College Seniors, Landscapes, Real Estate, and Animals. Between her husband and herself, they run around 50 head of cattle as well as run the family feed store, Shasta Farm & Equipment. Make sure to check out her website and see all of her photos here.
Don’t Forget About Redding Rodeo 2022!
Returning to its regularly scheduled May dates this year, the 74th annual Redding Rodeo will take place May 14-21 at the Redding Rodeo Grounds. Redding Rodeo is a historic tradition that connects northern California with its western roots.
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