Rodeo News

Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade 2024

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The 81st Annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade is kicking off May 30th through June 2nd! Taking place in the beautiful town of Santa Maria, California, it will feature four days of fun-filled activities and events. Each rodeo performance features Mutton Bustin’, six PRCA events including bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping, bareback riding, and we can’t forget the ladies in the WRPA barrel racing and breakaway roping! This year, check out the specialty acts, including the Jr. Breakaway Roping, Elks Team Roping, and Mutton Bustin’!

History

The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo has a long history and was formed by the B.P.O.E #1538. Before the rodeo existed, the Elks Recreation group’s first activity was a dance in December of 1943. From the great success of that event, the idea of a rodeo came to be, and in 1944, the first Santa Maria Elks Rodeo happened, which at the time was called the “Elks Recreational Foundation Benefit Wild West Show and Racing Meet.” From there, the event grew into the action-packed celebration it is today!

Credit: Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade

Parade

The event kicks off with the popular parade, which will be held on Saturday, June 1st, 2024 at 10:00 am. The Parade will start at Mill Street and end at Enos Drive. The parade is a highlight of the Santa Maria community, and people from all over come to watch the colorful floats, marching bands, equestrian units, and other participants. One of the main goals of the parade is to celebrate the history and diversity of the Santa Maria Valley. The parade promises to be even more exciting this year with new floats and participants. Immediately after the Parade, the Street Fair will begin in the JCPenney parking lot, located at 1321 South Broadway.

Credit: Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade

PRCA Rodeo

Of course, the event’s main attraction is the professional rodeo, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). The rodeo features a variety of exciting events with four nights of performances starting on May 30th. The performance kicks off at 7:00 pm on both Thursday and Friday. Saturday’s performance begins at 6:00 pm and Sunday’s starts at 2:00 pm. This year, the rodeo promises to be bigger and better than ever, with top-notch cowboys and cowgirls competing for prize money and bragging rights.

Credit: Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade

Tickets

  • ONLINE General Admission (Thursday Only)
    • Adult – $20
    • Senior (62+) – $15
    • Child (3-12) – FREE (Please still obtain a ticket for children)
  • ONLINE General Admission (Friday – Sunday)
    • Adult – $30
    • Child (3-12) – $17
  • Box Seats
    • $50 per person (Thursday – Sunday)

*Each ticket will have additional fees which covers all processing fees AND includes parking fees.
This applies to all tickets purchased online OR on-site.
*EACH TICKET PRICE IS PER DAY, THERE ARE NO MULTI-DAY TICKETS.
*Age verification will be required with Senior tickets at the gate.
*Active Military card holders receive free tickets, while supplies last, when they present ID at box office two hours prior to event start time.

Credit: Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade

Overall, this will be a fun-filled event that showcases the best of the Santa Maria community. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this annual event. So mark your calendar for May 30th through June 2nd, 2024, and get ready for a great time!

Jodi Erpelding

I grew up on a Midwest farm with dirt under my fingernails and the sound of wind rustling through cornfields. My childhood was all about 4H – raising pigs and horses, learning to bake and sew, and discovering the magic of transforming a garden into jars of summer sunshine. Those years taught me the value of hard work, the thrill of seeing a project through to the end, and the simple joy of creating something beautiful. A country girl with a need for speed and a thirst for adventure. Maybe that's why I love the feeling of wind in my hair – whether I'm cruising down a dusty road on my Harley or tackling a mountain trail on my trusty mountain bike. Some of my earliest memories of rodeo are watching my father compete at small local events. That's also where my love for country music comes in – long car rides listening to 8 tracks. The lyrics and melodies always spoke to my soul. These days, you'll find me cheering on the cowboys and cowgirls at rodeos, two-stepping to my favorite bands, belting out a country tune at a concert or sharing stories and laughter with friends around a bonfire. When I'm not soaking up the country life and getting my boots dirty, I'm a nurse, caring for folks in my community. Follow along for more stories from the heart of rodeo and country life!

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