2015 Rodeo Guide Apr. 2015 | Page 19

559-472-7182 19 1949 The event became known as the Clovis Day Festival. The events were kicked off on April 1st with family picnics, tug-o-wars, wheelbarrow races, etc.The culmination of the month was a parade through downtown Clovis, with the Clovis Municipal Band and a Festival Queen being crowned. The rodeo was the last weekend. In the twenties, the parade became a major event before the rodeo, with an old fashioned “paddy-wagon” in the parade and cowboys would pull merchants from their stores and put them in the wagon and finish the parade with them. 2002 Began as an Old West celebration by the Clovis Women’s Club. It was a venue for local cowboys to compete. It evolved into a two-day event with bronco riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, bull riding, etc. A VIP pavilion was constructed over the roping chutes for watching the rodeo indoors or on the elevated patio. The Clovis Rodeo has been one of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Tour Rodeos for the last several years, which brings the top cowboys to our community. This event is also televised on national networks. 2014 1946 1937 1930 1921 192o 1916 1914 There’s a rich history connected with the Rodeo. One hundred years ago, when Clovis was a small, distant and dusty farm town of perhaps 1,000 residents, a group of enterprising women decided to get together and throw a "spring festival" — a little town picnic with a parade and informal horse races among ranchers and cowboys — & as a fundraising event. In 2014 we took the time to remember the past 100 years! In this year the event became known as the Clovis Rodeo, with working cowboys the main participants. Downtown Clovis was much different then, and people would park their cars around a vacant block and the rodeo would take place there. 1275 N. Willow Ave | Clovis, CA 93619 The predecessor of today’s Rodeo Association was formed and organized (Clovis Horse Show and Festival Assn). The rodeo was held just north of Third St. 559.816.8893 The group purchased 26 acres from the Shaver Lake Lumber Co. (today’s rodeo grounds) with the intent of constructing a rodeo area. In April of that year, the first wooden grandstand was built with seating for 1,400 people. Marty Fleming [email protected] DRE# 01906768 6710 N. West Avenue, Suite #108 Fresno, CA 93711 With the official name of Clovis Horse Show and Festival Assn., the association began to use the name of Clovis Rodeo Association. The large concrete grandstand was constructed. At that time there was also a racetrack within the grounds. For many years, the rodeo included “chuck-wagon races” around the grounds. During other times of the year, the track was used for “hardtop” races. Many improvements have been constructed over the years. Including, a large hall building in the 1980’s. A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate 559.367.5057 “I will work Smart for you” Diana Kay Smith Office - 559.650.6010 Fax - 559.650.6011 [email protected] [email protected] calBRE# 01915161