Hours after capturing the crown, the new Santa Maria Elks Rodeo queen, joined by her court, rode along Broadway on Saturday morning for the annual parade.
Michaela Jamison, and her sponsor VTC Enterprises, raised the most money to win the annual contest that helps fund scholarships and other youth programs.
She was announced the winner of the 2023 crown during the rodeo Friday night at the Santa Maria Elks/Unocal Event Center.
KT’s All-Star Gymnastics notes the 80 years of the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo while appearing in the parade on Saturday morning. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
Mckenna Bohard, the 2022 Lompoc Valley Flower Festival queen, rides in the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade with the 2023 Flower Festival queen candidates. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
Santa Maria City Council members Maribel Aguliera-Hernandez, with her daughter, and Mike Cordero ride in the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday. Also in the back seat is Councilman Carlos Escobedo. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
Santa Barbara County Fourth District Supervisor Bob Nelson waves to the crowd during the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday morning. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
Mckenna Bohard, the 2022 Lompoc Valley Flower Festival queen, rides in the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade with the 2023 Flower Festival queen candidates. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
Michaela Jamison, sponsored by VTC Enterprises, rides in the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday morning along with the five-member court. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch waves to the crowd during the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday morning. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
The Santa Maria 4-Wheelers show off their skills during the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday morning. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
The Santa Maria Model A Ford Club includes classic vehicles and a special passenger. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
An equestrian entry prances in the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday morning. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
The Orcutt Academy High School Marching Band performs in the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday morning. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
Santa Maria Elks officers ride in a wagon pulled by mules during the Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday morning. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
Santa Maria Elks officers ride in a wagon during the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday morning. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
The Santa Maria 4-Wheelers bring vehicles of all sizes to the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday morning. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
The Orcutt Academy High School Marching Band performs in the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on Saturday morning. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo
This year’s field included six candidates and sponsors who held various fundraisers since April. The other candidates were: runner-up Paige Beal for the Santa Maria Noontime Kiwanis Club, Courtney Lauderdale for the Black Student Union, Adrena Longoria for the Northern Santa Barbara County United Way, Brisa Lopez for the Cuyama Valley Exchange Club and Justine Lopez for the Guadalupe Kiwanis Club.
They were vying to replace 2022 rodeo queen Rylie Halsell.
Jamison raised $525,801, while Beal collected $259,000. In total, the six candidates and their sponsors raised more than $802,648.
Since the queen contest began in 1947, the effort has raised more than $16,404,629.
Their entry was among more than 110 to travel south on Broadway for the parade on Saturday morning with the theme centered on the event’s 80th anniversary.
To celebrate, a group of cheerleaders carried a sign that read, “Cheers to 80 Years.”
Grand marshals were volunteers Keith and Olivia Bugal, and Giovanni Caicco served as junior grand marshal.
Organizers handed out several awards Saturday afternoon to various entries. The recipients were:
• Attorney Michael Clayton for the Best Overall Float Award
• Pioneer Valley High School for Best Musical Unit
• Flower Carriage for Most Outstanding
• Santa Maria Model A’s for Best Community Entry Award
• Escaramuza Las Potrancas for Best Mounted Group Award
• Righetti High School Marimba Band for Best Youth Float Award
After kicking off Thursday night and continuing Friday and Saturday night, the rodeo wraps up Sunday afternoon with a performance at 2 p.m. at the Santa Maria Elks/Unocal Event Center.
For more information, go to the Elks Rec website by clicking here.