Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Rowell Rodeo brings Old West action to East Bay

[Our paper asked me to write a PR piece for the rodeo. Not a big fan, personally, but this is the sort of thing I get paid to do]

The 97th annual Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo is coming to Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park. More than a week full of festivities gets underway May 12, and end with Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) Pro Rodeo main events May 19 through 21.

Begun in 1921 by local legend, cattleman and philanthropist Harry Rowell, the Rodeo honors the roping and riding traditions that have been part of the East Bay since the Rancho days of the early nineteenth century.

Professionally sanctioned rodeo makes up a large part of the festivities as rodeo’s best competitors vie for a piece of the more than $350,000 in added prize money from the SIXPAC Rodeos that includes rodeos in Rowell Ranch (Hayward) Red Bluff, Clovis, Oakdale, Redding, Livermore and Reno, NV. More than 100 cowboys and cowgirls compete for their share of the prize money during this leg of the California rodeo.

On May 12, the Castro Valley Rotary Club sponsors a Chili Cook-off to get the party started at Rowell Ranch. On May 13, the Rotary also sponsors the colorful Rodeo Parade which every year draws huge crowds to Castro Valley Blvd. This year’s theme is “Local Heroes, Service Above Self.” Bill Nott, Chair of the Parade Planning Board hopes that “this year’s theme will inspire people to acknowledge and celebrate the people around who serve their communities.” More than 100 participants are expected. Be sure to visit www.RowellRanchRodeoParade.com for full information on parking and the parade route.

Don Guillermo Castro is recognized as presenting the first rodeos in Hayward during the early 1800's in what is now the Hayward Library Park. Hayward (or Haywards as it was once known, named for its first American settler), is located on the former San Lorenzo Rancho, first granted by the Mexican government to Don Castro in 1841.

In the early nineteenth century there were no cattle fences. Instead, every spring, all the cattle would be gathered at one of the ranchos and separated by their brands. New unbranded calves would be branded according to the brand of their mothers. These gatherings or ‘rodeos’ also provided an opportunity for Native American and Mexican cowboys to exhibit their skills in many competitive activities at the conclusion of each spring gathering.

In 1921, Harry Rowell revived the historical sport of rodeo on the athletic fields of the Burbank School in downtown Hayward, and in 1925, Harry produced his first rodeo at his Dublin Canyon ranch, the current site of the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park. Rowell eventually became known as the biggest rodeo stock contractor in the West, supplying rodeos with cows and other animals for their events.

Harry and his wife, Maggie Rowell, were inducted posthumously into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center in Oklahoma City. Harry is also in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs.

After Harry died in 1969, Maggie stipulated in her will that the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District could purchase the site if it promised to make it available every year for the Hayward Rodeo and Junior Rodeo.

The event requires year-round preparation and thrives on the help from volunteers, people like Janet Lemmons who has been on the Board “for a very long time.” Her two sons Ethan and Ory are participating in the rodeo. Now in their mid-twenties the two started off in Junior Rodeo at the age of six. Lemmons recommends that young people interested in the sport should seek out a qualified rodeo school where “they can be in contact with people who are experts on the techniques and equipment involved.”

A local Team Roping event kicks off the heart of rodeo weekend on Thursday, May 18 at 5:00 p.m. Visitors can root for hometown cowgirl Jana Centoni as she competes for a champion belt buckle and bragging rights.

The Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo officially thunders into town on Friday, May 19 with the PRCA Professional Bull Riding ‘Rocking Bull Bash’ event featuring a live performance by Wolf Hamlin and the Front Porch Drifters.

The rodeo action continues on Saturday and Sunday with performances beginning at 1:30 p.m. The historic Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo grand entry of a single rider carrying the American Flag gallops into the arena at full speed from ‘Harry’s Hill’ to open the Saturday and Sunday performances.

Rodeo Special Events

Chili Cook-Off (Hosted by Castro Valley Rotary Club)
Friday, May 12
5 p.m.
Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park
For more information: www.cvchilicookoff.com

Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade
Saturday, May 13
10 a.m.
Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley
For more information: www.RowellRanchRodeoParade.com

Local Team Roping
Thursday, May 18
5 p.m.
Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park
Free
For more information: Rowell’s Saddlery (510) 581-2577

Cowgirl Picnic – Ladies Only Luncheon
Thursday, May 18
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park
Earl Dawes Picnic Area
$50 (tables $375 - $600)
Purchase tickets at Rowell’s Saddlery (3473 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley)
(510) 581-2577 or email RowellRanchRodeo@aol.com

Rowell Pro Ranch Rodeo Main Events

Rockin’ Bull Bash
Friday, May 19
6:00 p.m. Gates open
7:30 p.m. Bull riding
Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park
$17 and up General admission at the gate $25
Reserved seating available
(510) 581-2577
www.rowellranchrodeo.com
rowellranchrodeo@aol.com

PRCA Pro Rodeo
Saturday and Sunday, May 20 21
Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park
10:00 a.m. Gates open (Operation Mom collecting items for troops)
11:00 Cowboy Experience
1:30 p.m. Grand Entry
5:00 p.m. BBQ and live music (Sat. only)
$17 and up General admission at the gate $25
Reserved seating available
(510) 581-2577
www.rowellranchrodeo.com
rowellranchrodeo@aol.com


Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park is located on Dublin Canyon Road next to the 580 between Dublin and Castro Valley.

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