108th annual Clovis Rodeo back after 2-year hiatus
By: Sydney Morgan
The annual Clovis Rodeo celebrates 108 years this Wednesday and will stay in town until Sunday, April 24.
What began as a two-day event in 1914 has bucked its way up to a five-day event including a parade, a blood drive, and concerts on top of the traditional rodeo events.
The blood drive on Monday and Tuesday is one of the biggest blood drives in California.
The official rodeo events kick off Wednesday with Mitchell Tenpenny performing a concert, then roll through until Sunday with a championship tournament for the rodeo performers.
People are encouraged on Sunday to wear pink as part of the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” campaign to support those who have been through breast cancer or know someone who has.
According to the Clovis Rodeo website, with support from the Clovis Rodeo Association, “50 cents for every paid admission and an additional $100 in the name of each event winner wearing pink at the Sunday performance will be donated to cancer research.”
On top of Wednesday’s concert, two other performers will take the stage this year. On Thursday, it’s Parmalee, who sings hits like Carolina and Just the Way.
On Friday, Jameson Rodgers, who sings hits like Cold Beer Calling My Name and Some Girls, will be performing.
The rodeo events will include bull riding and the crowning of the new Queen of Clovis Rodeo which are both on Wednesday and PRCA rodeo action Thursday through Sunday.
This rodeo is one of the top 10 Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) rodeos in the nation.
Wednesday through Friday the rodeo starts at 6 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday, it starts at 2 p.m.
You can buy tickets online or in-person at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday through Friday the ticket prices are $35 but will go down to $20 on Saturday and Sunday.
The economic benefits of this event are extraordinary as it is completely non-profit and the money made goes right back into the community.
They raise around $350,000 for programs and organizations like 4-H and FFA, along with Clovis Police, Clovis Community Hospital, and Break the Barriers among many others.
This event is something community members and surrounding cities look forward to as it celebrates the spring season.
As Ron Dunbar, the President of the Clovis Rodeo Association says, “it just isn’t Spring in California unless you’ve experienced the Clovis Rodeo.”