Elks Rodeo Kicks Off With Tradition

The Elks Rodeo is in full swing with tradition bridging the past with the present and the future.

Crowds are building at the Elks Unocal Event Center for the return of the annual rodeo competition.

Thousands of elementary school students were in the main arena for the annual Clarence Minetti Mini Rodeo, the traditional start of the four-day event.

“This is a fun week for me this being a hometown rodeo”, says world champion steer wrestler and Los Alamos native Luke Branquinho, “for me to be able to see everybody that I grew up with and even rodeoed with throughout the junior rodeo associations, just have the fans behind you cheering for you, its a special feeling when you go out there and do well.”

“Some people say you see one rodeo you seen em all but not here at the Elks Rodeo”, says longtime supporter Cotton Rosser who’s been bringing livestock to the Elks Rodeo for decades.

“Its our only truly American sport to start here in the United States, and every person has a little cowboy in ya”, Rosser says, “we want to keep rodeo alive and show em all these wonderful horses, Will Rogers said the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a child.”

Rodeo is a tradition that’s being kept alive by younger generations.

“Oh my gosh definitely this is a huge tradition of our county”, says Rodeo Flag Carrier Kianna Worth, “everyone loves to go to it, its just a big deal, of course it should be kept around.”

Rodeo means good times with good friends and local law enforcement is on hand to make sure everyone stays safe.

“We’re here to make sure that everyone has a family fun time”, says Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew McFarlin, “we have the Santa Maria Police Department Explorers helping with parking and the CHP is helping with traffic control, we’re here to make sure everyone has a good, safe time.”

For Elks Rodeo tickets and other information go to: http://elksrec.com/