The 81st Santa Maria Elks Rodeo opened Thursday with an arena full of action and a stage full of talented youths.
The Santa Maria Elks/Unocal Event Center hosted the Central Coast Kids Got Talent on the stage near the midway as the four-day event kicked off its 2024 edition.
Friday night’s performance included the crowning of the 2024 rodeo queen, while Saturday morning will see the rodeo parade roll south on Broadway from Mill Street to Enos Drive, starting at 10 a.m., with the entry list available here.
2024 Miss Rodeo USA Kaelanne Quinonez leads the procession of flag girls into the arena. The Orcutt native and St. Joseph High School alumna is no stranger to the Elks rodeo arena, where she once rode as Miss Santa Maria Elks Rodeo. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Rodeo clown Matt Merritt interacts with Miss Mini Rodeo Paige Katich and Junior Barrelman Reed Lemieux on opening night of the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
Sponsor flag carriers race around the arena Thursday for the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo’s opening night. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
The 81st annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo kicks off its four-day run Thursday night with a full slate of action in the arena. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
A calf is wrestled to the ground Thursday during the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
E.J. Torres, a 5-year-old cowboy from Orcutt, and mom Amanda show off his first-place belt buckle after his victorious Mutton Bustin’ ride Thursday night. Credit: Torres family photo 
Hay, it’s Miss Mini Rodeo Paige Katich striking a pose. Credit: Kim Clark / Noozhawk photo 
Junior Barrelman Reed Lemieux is introduced by Tina Tonascia, chief operations officer of Elks Recreation Inc. Credit: Kim Clark / Noozhawk photo 
Making an entrance. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Coming in for the landing. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Grounds crew. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Riding for the flag. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Rodeo fans. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Ouch. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Shootin’ the bull while waiting for the mutton busters. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
A mutton buster’s ride ends early. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Comedian Noah Bringard wowed the crowd with jokes about rodeo, beaches and Bakersfield. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Singer Faith Meyers. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
The Class Act dance group. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
Dancer Frankie Anguiano Diani earned the $500 grand prize in the Central Coast Kids Got Talent show. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo 
The contestants have a group photo opportunity. Credit: Bill Macfadyen / Noozhawk photo
A street fair will follow at the end of the parade route.
Dancers and others who were deemed finalists following an April tryout hit the Central Coast Kids Got Talent stage to show off their skills Thursday afternoon.
The panel of judges named dancer Frankie Anguiano-Diani the overall winner and recipient of a $500 prize.
A donation of $500 also will be given to the charity of her choice: the 17 Strong Foundation, which grants trips to young adults, ages 18 to 40, who have battled a life-threatening illness such as cancer.
The nonprofit organization was created in honor of Ryan Teixeira, a southern San Luis Obispo County resident who was diagnosed with cancer at age 18.
Age category award winners and recipients of $200 were dancers Camila Papincak and Fabian Hernandez in the 7- to 10-year-olds category, comedian Noah Bringard in the 11- to 13-year-olds category, and singer Faith Meyers in the 14- to 17-year-olds category.
Commitment Awards with $150 prizes went to keyboardist Sergeant Ignatius, rapper S’more, and dancers Brooklyn Perneel and Faith Sobotka.
The judges’ special awards with $200 scholarships went to singers Luna Gomez and Naomi Rayne plus dancer Vivian Wood.
Among the stars riding in the arena this weekend is Miss Rodeo USA Kaelanne Quinonez, an Orcutt native, St. Joseph High School alumna and a former Miss Santa Maria Elks Rodeo.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and a masters in business from Texas A&M University before earning the Miss Rodeo USA title last fall.
E.J. Torres, a 5-year-old from Orcutt, earned a silver rodeo belt buckle for his first-place ride in Thursday’s Mutton Bustin’ event.
The rodeo continues through the weekend with a full slate of competition along with other entertainment. Performances start at 6 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the rodeo grounds at 4040 Highway 101.
The Cowboy Channel again will provide recaps of each day’s action.
Click here for more information about the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo.