The sport of Rodeo began in the old west to give local ranchers and cowboys a way to show off their skills and to create a community get together. It evolved into a popular sport with professional and amateur cowboys and cowgirls competing for points and money in an often dangerous and grueling match against 2000-pound bucking bulls, bucking horses, a race of speed and skill in roping as well as jumping off a galloping horse onto a racing steer to wrestle it to the ground, plus barrel racing.
These events overall metaphorized from skills needed by ranchers to render medical care and branding to their herds, the breaking of wild horses into to riding horses and etc. As Women joined the competition sports such as barrel racing and break away roping were added to make this a sport for all.
Penn Valley, being situated in a rural ranching area of the county became a natural place to hold such a competition back in 1956, and continuing with a few gaps and changes to the organization structure over the years. Originally the Penn Valley Fire Department hosted this event before turning it over to a group of citizens who began the non-profit organization now known as Penn Valley Community Rodeo Association. PVCRA took this event to new heights and invited other non-profits, the local Chamber of Commerce, schools and etc to participate and earn money for their organizations as well making the Penn Valley Rodeo an even greater community event.
The current rodeo is a CCPRA (California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association) sanctioned event which draws high quality contestants who are competing for points towards statewide awards as well as the local rodeo purse. The rodeo is announced by Professional Rodeo Announcer Don Jesser and this year will also feature special entertainment by Nationally recognized, award winning Dusty Barrett.
Kids enjoy the bounce house, face painting, participating in Muttin Bustin and the Calf Scramble.
As always there will be a rodeo dance each night also. And on Saturday afternoon the Penn Valley Chamber of Commerce will host the Annual Rodeo Parade starting at Western Gateway Park and wrapping up at the Rodeo Grounds.
The Penn Valley Community Rodeo Association is an all-volunteer organization that also hosts an Annual Mule and Donkey show as well as Gymkhanas and Barrel Racing. See www.pvrodeo.com
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