Due to impacts from the major rainstorms earlier this year, the Rancheros Visitadores (RV) has announced there will be no public ride and parade in 2023.

Typically, the event gathers more than 750 Rancheros Visitadores from 37 states and six countries, who parade on horseback and in carriages along Alisal Road through downtown Solvang to Old Mission Santa Inés.

In honor and in memory of long-time Ranchero Steve Beneto, his vision and understanding of the importance of raising funds to help fight cancer will continue.

In 2012, Beneto realized many members of Rancheros Visitadores had family members and close friends who had been touched by breast cancer.

At Beneto’s suggestion, RV leadership decided to raise funds for the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara to support research and programs at the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, helping Santa Barbara County residents with wellness, genetic counseling, nutrition, and navigating the disease.

“We have partnered with Wrangler each year since 2012,” said Peter Oppenheimer, co-chair, of Rancheros Visitadores, Wrangler Bucking Cancer effort. “Their support has made a significant impact on local cancer care in Santa Barbara County.

“They have recently expanded their cancer benefit program to Wrangler Bucking Cancer to support patients with all forms of this disease, and they are proud to continue to partner with Rancheros Visitadores once again.”

This year, through March, Rancheros members have brought in nearly $170,000. Since 2012, Rancheros have donated almost $1.4 million to support cancer patients throughout Santa Barbara County.

The Cancer Foundation greatly appreciates the incredible generosity the rides have produced, said Lori Willis, executive director of the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara.

“The funds raised by the Rancheros Visitadores members and its partners support important programs utilized by hundreds of cancer patients here in our community,” Willis said.

“Though our members come from far and wide, this is the Rancheros’ home, and we have found a cause we believe in,” said John Balch, general manager of Rancheros Visitadores.

“We understand it is important to give back to the community we return to year after year,” he said. “The spirit of the Rancheros Visitadores will live on through the dedication of its members who are steadfast in their commitment to this cause.”

To learn more, visit the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara, www.cfsb.org.