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| Summer 2026 |
Dear Rodeo Fans,
As summer arrives in Salinas, excitement is building for another unforgettable California Rodeo Salinas, taking place July 16–19, 2026. On behalf of our entire organization, I would like to personally invite you and your family to join us as we celebrate 116 years of western tradition, community spirit, and world-class entertainment.
The California Rodeo Salinas has always been more than just a rodeo. It is a tradition built by generations of volunteers, committee members, sponsors, competitors, and fans who come together each year to celebrate the western way of life and support our community. |
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| There is so much happening at the Salinas Sports Complex leading up to Rodeo Week, and we hope you will join us for the fun along the way. Be sure to check out Monster Truck Throwdown presented by Gold Star GMC on June 14, our Chamber Mixer on June 16, and our Monterey Bay FC promotional night on June 20. Of course, Rodeo Week itself will be packed with excitement, including the Big Week Kick Off Concert featuring Miranda Lambert, the Big Week Bull Riding presented by Salinas Valley Ford, the carnival presented by Chick-fil-A, and four action-packed Rodeo performances.
Whether you are a longtime supporter or planning your first visit, we look forward to welcoming you to the California Rodeo Salinas where tradition, entertainment, and community come alive each summer.
Thank you for your continued support, and we hope to see you in July!
Sincerely,
Bob Eggers |
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The Monster Truck Throwdown is June 14th |
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| Get your tickets now - they are going fast!
The Monster Truck Throwdown will roar into the Salinas Sports Complex on Sunday, June 14, delivering high-flying stunts, car-crushing power, and nonstop excitement to the Central Coast. Fans can expect an all-new, larger, and more challenging track designed to push drivers and machines to the limit, along with the notorious Farmer 500 race, with some new twists this year.
Tickets are on sale now. The event is presented by Gold Star GMC.
TICKET PRICING:
Gates will open at 10:30 AM, with the show kicking off at 2 PM. Fans can get up close to the massive trucks and meet the drivers during the Monster Meet Up from 11 AM to 1 PM (separate ticket required; must accompany an event ticket).
Don’t miss this thrilling day of monster truck action at the Salinas Sports Complex on June 14th! Get your tickets early at www.carodeo.com before they’re gone!
TRUCK LINEUP: *Vendetta Jurassic AttackVelociraptor Dirt Crew Farmageddon Blockhead Shell Shocked and West Coast Legend - Dragon Slayer
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| Monday, June 1st - buy an adult Monster Truck Throwdown Ticket and get a free child's ticket. Valid from 12:01 am to 11:59 pm. Enter the code MONDAY!
Important: |
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Rodeo Mixer at the Monterey Airport |
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| Click on the photo to register. You don't want to miss this event! |
Letters from the Trail |
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| My past two newsletters have begun with me describing to you how much disbelief I have in the time flying by and the opportunity that I have been given to represent the California Rodeo. Such disbelief is not ending here though because now we are less than two months away from the start of Big Week. I’m not too sure where time has gone, but I know that it has been a year well spent.
The past few months have been a whirlwind of beautiful memories created visiting rodeos around California. Two days in King City were spent enjoying the cooler weather. |
| A trip up to Oakdale Rodeo for a picturesque rainy day with the friends I have made along the way. Then onto my favorite event every year, Ag Day at the Capitol where rodeo queens from around the state get to introduce and educate state legislatures and many other visitors about the great sport of rodeo and what it means to our state’s agricultural industry. This year, the California Rodeo Salinas was the host for the booth this year making it an extra special day.
Later that same week, I spent three days at the Clovis Rodeo. One of those days was spent with President Bob and Vice President Henry showing them around my own hometown. I even got to introduce Henry to the Rodeo Queen burger I created at a local restaurant where I used to work.
In May, I attended the Mother Lode Round-Up and parade with Past President Daryl and his wife. The next rodeo on the list was the Rowell Ranch Rodeo. Rowell Ranch had one of the most unique grand entries I have gotten to experience. We start up on top of a hill overlooking the arena, then trot down all the way into the arena. But the best part is when the American Flag comes flying down from the very top of that hill being led by a pack of stock horses. It was one of the most American rodeo things I have ever witnessed.
I have two more rodeos to visit this year, and I can’t wait to see their unique twist on rodeo. Santa Maria Elks Rodeo this week, and Livermore Rodeo in two weeks. Following after, I will be spending a lot of time back in Salinas with all of you promoting Big Week at all our upcoming events.
Visiting rodeos is always fun, but my heart lies with the community events I get to do visiting with everyone around. In fact, the one thing I don’t think I have mentioned enough in these newsletters is all that I get to do when I go to other rodeos. For example, at Rowell Ranch I had the opportunity to help out with the Special Kids Rodeo. I’ve also gotten the chance to visit and speak with local sponsors of rodeos. Some of these sponsors have been part of their local rodeo for generations. But the part I have the privilege of experiencing that I love the most, is meeting the kids that attend. Recently at the Clovis Rodeo, I ran into my neighbors with their three year old daughter and five year old son. At the time, it was a sweet picture I took with these two kids showing them what I do with horses and rodeo. But last week I received a picture from that neighbor of their little girl wearing her pink hat with an Elsa crown placed on it with the message, “trying to be Ms Rachel,” attached to it. That there is why I love what I do as a rodeo queen. If I can inspire the youth to pursue rodeo in any way, then I have achieved the ultimate goal. Inspire the future.
Thank you to everyone who has followed along in this journey. Thank you to all those who have been involved in one way or another. Whether it be driving me down a parade route or simply cheering me and the Rodeo on. And of course, thank you to all the rodeos around the state of California for allowing me to attend and represent the California Rodeo Salinas.
Salinas, thank you for having me as your Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2025. It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent you.
Yours always, Rachel Lancaster |
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Seven Scholarships Awarded |
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| Scholarships are available to California Rodeo Salinas Committee Members and their immediate family members. Seven $5,000 scholarships were awarded in May of 2026. |
| CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO READ MORE Photo by Mag One Media. Left to right: Rodeo President Bob Eggers, Rodeo Chair of the California Rodeo Salinas Scholarship Advisory Committee Kelly McCarthy Sutherland, Jackie Marquez with CFMC, Jake Patrick McTighe, Brayden Michael McVay, Erick Joshua Oviedo Terrazas, Keegan Marie Naval, Citlalli Garcia, Bailey Ryan Casarez, Catherine Hodges accepting for Laura Elizabeth Hodges, and Esther Figueroa with CFMC. |
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Economic Impact Study Released |
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| The California Rodeo Salinas hired Beacon Economics to conduct a professional economic impact study in 2025. Click the image to read the full report. |
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Round up your friends for the Boots on the Pitch: Rodeo Night at MBFC |
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| Click on the photo to read more about the event. |
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Saddle Up Salinas! Have you listened to (or watched) our official podcast? |
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| Saddle Up Salinas brings you inside the world of the California Rodeo Salinas like never before. Hosted by Mandy & (A)Manda (the M&M show 😉), this podcast features conversations with guests from across the Western industry—sharing stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and the people who make the Rodeo what it is. From traditions and history to the action in the arena, it’s all here—real, unfiltered, and maybe with a few bloopers along the way.
So… saddle up and join the ride. 🤠🎧
Click the image to learn more and get the links to each episode. |
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Miranda Lambert will headline our Big Week Kick Off Concert on July 11th - do you have your tickets? |
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| Tickets start at $60 - the opening acts are Dylan Scott & Ashley Cooke. Click on the image to get event details and tickets. |
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