Rodeo clown Matt Merritt introduces Junior Barrelman Reed Lemieux from Orcutt.
Rodeo clown Matt Merritt, who will perform in the 81st annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo that opens Thursday, introduces Junior Barrelman Reed Lemieux from Orcutt. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo

With fresh paint, new plants and award-winning dirt in the arena, the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo is ready to ride for the next four days.

The 81st Elks Rodeo, at the Santa Maria Elks/Unocal Event Center, opens Thursday and ends Sunday with action in the arena planned for all four days. Assorted other events, including the annual parade on Saturday, also are planned.

In recent weeks, volunteers have been at the rodeo grounds prepping for the arrival of animals, athletes and spectators.

“We’re all ready for rodeo, so we’re really excited. Everything’s coming together,” said Peter Sterling, president of Elks Recreation and chairman of the rodeo queen contest committee. 

Arena action will include Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association events, including bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping and bareback riding; Women’s Professional Rodeo Association events such as barrel racing and breakaway roping; and community events such as junior breakaway roping, Elks team roping, and mutton bustin’.

Thursday’s events also will include the finals for the Central Coast Kids Got Talent, with children ages 7 to 17 performing at a pre-rodeo concert with a panel of celebrity judges. Performances are scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m. Thursday on the Midway Stage.

Winners will be named in each of three age categories — 7 to 10, 11 to 13 and 14 to 17 — along with an overall winner. Audience members will select a “fan favorite” performance, and the judges’ special award winner will be named.

Opening night will include the Golden Circle of Champions banquet to recognize 25 children battling cancer and other illnesses along with their families.

Olivia Bugal laughs while briefly playing the role of rodeo announcer under the guidance of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association announcer Anthony Lucia.
Olivia Bugal laughs while briefly playing the role of rodeo announcer under the guidance of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association announcer Anthony Lucia, who will participate in the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo that opens Thursday. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo

On Friday night, the 2024 rodeo queen will be crowned from a field of four contestants who have spent the past several weeks raising funds. 

Vying to follow 2023 Rodeo Queen Michaela Jamison, this year’s queen candidates and their sponsors are Nevaeh Rogers, Black Student Union; Jenna Rodriguez, Guadalupe Kiwanis Club; Alexis Righetti, St. Joseph High School; and Tori Ortiz, VTC Enterprises. 

Funds collected in 2024 will add at the $16.4 million raised by the rodeo queen contestants and their sponsors through the decades for youth recreation and other community programs.

This year’s Miss Mini Rodeo is Paige Katich, who attends Old Mission School in San Luis Obispo, and Junior Barrelman is Reed Lemieux from Orcutt. Both were selected following auditions and will represent the rodeo throughout the year. 

“It’s a pretty incredible program,” Tina Tonascia, Elks Rec chief operations officer, said after saying farewell to prior Miss Mini Rodeo Nevada Rohwedder and former Junior Barrelman Chael Silva.

In conjunction with the annual rodeo, Santa Maria will host the Miss Rodeo California Clinic. drawing representatives from across the country. 

“We have lots of folks coming to town for that, so very excited to be host of that again,” Tonascia added.

Miss Rodeo USA Kaelanne Quinonez, who grew up in Orcutt and graduated from St. Joseph High School in 2015 but now lives in Texas, traveled back to the Central Coast for the weekend. 

Entertainment during breaks in the competition include The Flying Cowboys motorcycle stunt team plus Charro on the Road Tomas Garcilazo, who will show off his rope artist and horseman skills. 

Rodeo clown, entertainer and barrelman Matt Merritt has returned along with announcers Bob Tallman and Anthony Lucia, who was named PRCA Announcer of the Year for 2023.

Santa Maria’s rodeo has garnered a reputation among those who attended multiple rodeos, Lucia said.

Miss Mini Rodeo Paige Katich, who attends Old Mission School in San Luis Obispo, answers a question from Elks Rec’s Tina Tonascia as prior Miss Mini Rodeo Nevada Rohwedder looks on. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo

“When we say Santa Maria Elks, and this is not pandering to this audience, they go, ‘Oh, we’ve heard that’s a fun one.’ That’s a real thing,” Lucia said, noting the culture created by the Elks, volunteers and other others behind the rodeo.

“It’s that group that creates a culture and a family,” said Lucia, who attends approximately 40 rodeos each year. “It’s really neat to be a part of this rodeo. For me, this truly is one of my favorite rodeos of the year. … It’s always fun to come back to Santa Maria.”

The rodeo action is set to begin at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, at 6 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Gates open two hours earlier each day.

The parade is set to start at 10 a.m. Saturday, traveling south on Broadway between Mill Street and Enos Drive. Immediately after the parade, the Street Fair will begin in the JC Penney parking lot, 1321 S. Broadway. 

Interim City Manager Alex Posada will serve as parade grand marshal, while singer Pryor Baird will be the Star of the Parade. 

The parade lineup can be found by clicking here.

The Santa Maria Elks/Unocal Event Center is at 4040 Highway 101, near the Santa Maria Way on- and off-ramps.

For more information or tickets, go to elksrec.com.

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.