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in Clovis and Central California
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Clovis Rodeo Celebrates Its 97th
Year
April 21-24
Clovis Rodeo Association
gives rodeo proceeds
to local charities
By
Ron Dunbar,
Clovis Rodeo
Association* |
Get ready for the bucking broncos. In April,
it is all about rodeo in Clovis. The
nonprofit Clovis Rodeo Association has put
on the annual event for almost 100 years.
Story continued
below.
Photo special to Connecting with
Clovis by PRCA photographer Dan
Hubbell. Slideshow by JoAnne
Green
Begun in 1914 by the Clovis Women’s Club and
a group of local ranchers, the Clovis Rodeo
has grown into one of the top rodeos in
California and top 15 across the nation. It
is a Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association-sanctioned
event, and draws some of the best cowboys
and bucking stock in the country. Always the
last (full) weekend in April, it is a
celebration of Clovis’ Western heritage and
the enduring legacy of the cattle ranching
industry in the community.
If you’re a first time Clovis Rodeo fan we
encourage you to visit the rodeo, April
21-24, and enjoy some of the wildest rides
and rankest bulls in professional rodeo. If
you’re a returning fan, well, you know the
drill; dust off your boots and hat, take in
some rodeo and don’t forget one of the
association’s famous tri-tip sandwiches.
Story continued
below.
Photo special to
Connecting with Clovis by PRCA
photographer Dan Hubbell.
Slideshow by JoAnne Green
While the rodeo for many is all about the
opportunity to watch a cowboy take a wild
eight-second ride, for the 700 members of
the all-volunteer Clovis Rodeo Association,
it’s about giving back to the community. The
nonprofit organization is
responsible for generating more than
$125,000 in proceeds for local charities
annually including 4-H, FFA, Clovis schools,
Clovis Police Activities League, California
High School Rodeo Foundation, Make-A-Wish
Foundation, Break the Barriers, Boy Scouts
of America, Clovis Community Hospital and
the Central California Blood Center.
One of the largest events in California’s
Central Valley, the Clovis Rodeo will
attract more than 35,000 fans during its
four-day run. The rodeo will open with the
return of the PBR Bull Riding Touring
Pro-Division and some of the meanest bulls
and toughest up-and-coming cowboys in bull
riding.
The Friday night rodeo action will be
followed by a concert for fans with rising
country star Easton Corbin. Two days of
rodeo activities will continue through the
weekend, along with the popular Clovis Rodeo
parade on April 23. The parade theme this
year is “A Cowboy’s Easter Parade.”
During all rodeo performances, fans will
be entertained by rodeo’s favorite barrelman,
“Crash” Cooper, and award-winning specialty
act, John Payne, “The One Arm Bandit.” Fans
might even catch a glimpse of the Easter
Bunny during the Sunday rodeo performance.
Tickets are available by visiting
clovisrodeo.com, calling 299-5203 or
visiting the ticket office at the Clovis
Rodeo grounds, Monday through Friday 9
a.m.-2 p.m., with extended hours until 7
p.m. on Wednesdays only.
Keeping ticket prices
reasonable so families can afford to attend
is a primary objective of the Clovis Rodeo
Association. Ticket costs range from $15 to
$25. The rodeo grounds are located on Clovis
Avenue between Bullard and Barstow avenues,
in the heart of downtown Clovis. Parking at
the rodeo grounds is free.
*This article was originally
published in CUSD Today, March 2011, and is published on
ExperienceClovis.com with permission. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2010 JoAnne Green.
Do
not republish or repost photos or text without written permission.
Do
not extract quotes without proper credit.
Plagiarism is a crime.
Have an Awesome Day & Experience in
Clovis and Central California!
Clovis is what every
small town aspires to be
when it grows up!SM
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Editor &
Publisher
Clovis
resident for 30 years
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