The 83rd annual Santa Mara Elks Rodeo put patriotism on display Saturday morning.
More than 120 entries made up the rodeo parade, which moved south along Broadway between Mill Street and Enos Drive starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. This year’s parade theme was America’s 250th anniversary, with red, white and blue mixed with the rodeo’s western attire.
Participants included the newly crowned rodeo queen, Morgan Fasse, who was sponsored by St. Joseph High School Boosters.
Fasse, a senior at St. Joseph, was one of four seeking the crown this year, with the winner announced Friday night.
The new queen’s court is made up of Savannah Salcido, a Pioneer Valley High School student sponsored by the Guadalupe Kiwanis Club; Reiyna Sarin, a St. Joseph sophomore, sponsored by the Hancock College Booster Club; and Annabella Williams, a Righetti High School junior, who represented the Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club.
The new queen replaced Samantha McDonald, who represented Children’s Resource and Referral of Santa Barbara County.
Since early April, the queen contestants, their families, friends and sponsors have raised money in various ways in the bid to capture the crown.
This is the third win since 2021 for queen candidates sponsored by St. Joseph.
Since the first queen’s crowning in 1947, the contest has raised more than $18 million, which has benefitted youth recreation and other programs in the community.
The 2026 Elks Rodeo began Wednesday night with the Xtreme Bulls contest, followed by four days featuring a full slate of rodeo events at the Santa Maria Elks/Unocal Event Center.
Singer Pryor Baird delivered the national anthem at the start of the parade.
Local businessman Patrick Cusack rode in a place of honor as the parade grand marshal, while Emmy Pompa served as junior grand marshal.
Following the parade, organizers announced the judges’ picks for the winners of the trophies. Ribbons were handed out for second- and third-place finishers in multiple categories.
Awards were given out for best overall float, musical unit, community entry, mounted group and youth entry along with most outstanding equestrian individual.
The rodeo wraps up Sunday, with gates opening at noon and the action starting at 2 p.m.
For more information or to get rodeo tickets, visit here.