Monique Millian
Staff Writer
The San Dimas Western Days Rodeo brought families together for a fun-filled weekend on Oct. 6 and 7.
The 18th annual rodeo event was held in recognition of the San Dimas equestrian community, local residents and rodeo supporters.
“The crowd has been great. We haven’t had any problems, and that’s exactly what our goal is,” Board of Directors Bronwen Reagan said.
Volunteer students from San Dimas school were helping out in ticketing and with the fundraising events.
The show began after the host parachuted in, being trailed by a large American flag and six women in glamorous country attire on horseback, each carrying event sponsor flags.
The host held a raffle where people in the crowds were able to win money, trips and clothes. Winners were able to come forward and claim their prizes.
“This is my second year attending the event and I love bringing my family to drink, eat, and watch some bull riding,” San Dimas resident Dora Castilleja said.
“It’s a fun excuse to get dressed up and support the sport,” she said.
The rails were hugged by photographers and excited fans trying to catch a close up glimpse of the highly trained horses and bulls.
The events had the crowd constantly cheering and laughing.
The San Dimas Rodeo also had their own rodeo clown who joked about the upcoming election and other current news.
Aside from entertaining the crowd, the rodeo clown encouraged everybody to shop around at the rodeo booths.
This year’s event offered booths selling horse riding attire, cowboy hats and boots.
The longest lines were for booths selling beer and kettle corn.
The show attracted many locals from the area that were constantly heard seeing familiar faces from the past.
It was as if everyone was not only connected by the love of the action, but also from having grown up in the area.
Entertainment for children was also available with a horse petting zoo.
While some children played with the horses, others found a spot close to the fence to watch the rodeo action.
Even in the scariest of moments when adults backed away from the rails, children were in awe of the up-close confrontation.
The stands sold out, leaving many people with standing room only, but that did not discourage anyone from watching what the aggressive bulls or bucking horses were doing.
American flags were visible from the beginning of the show and the crowd sang the star spangled banner twice, once at the beginning, and again in the middle of the show.
“Weather has been great, and lots of people attended this years event,” event coordinator Matt Saver said. “Vendors are happy and making lots of money.”
Maybe it was the over abundance of alcohol or the sugar rush from the funnel cakes, but most people were social, dancing and laughing with each other.
Whatever it was, the energy was high and it made for a safe and community oriented atmosphere.
Monique Millan can be reached at monique.millan@laverne.edu.
