Reflecting on Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade on original start date

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Thursday would have been the opening day of the annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic the annual event is being pushed back to September 24-27.

Rodeo-related events are expected to be be rescheduled including the Queen Contest Campaign.

The Elks Rodeo Parade will take place on Saturday, September 26 at 9 a.m.

Wes Brown has been coming to the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade for
nearly all his life. "My family has been going for many years. We, back to when I was a little kid when we went. I will forward to it now that we have grand kids to take."

Thursday would have marked the opening of the annual rodeo.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic the rodeo is being pushed back to September.

"This community has always been wonderful and it's always been a time of
celebration and when we finally do have the 77th annual it's going to be
bigger and better because this community will definitely be ready for it," said Johnna Clark with the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade.

Organizers say while there would normally be thousands of people in the
arena, they're looking forward to all the activities planned in September.

"It's also about the heart of the community and it's so exciting to see
businesses and nonprofits and volunteers and it brings everybody together
not just in Santa Maria but the Central Coast," said Clark.

"This is a really special event for my whole family and even though it's
being postponed we are really looking forward to it in September," said Brown.

Rodeo-related events are expected to be rescheduled including the Queen Contest Campaign.