Red Bluff Round-Up
| Red Bluff Round-Up | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Rodeo, livestock show and fair |
| Dates | Mid to late April |
| Location(s) | Tehama County Fairgrounds, Red Bluff, California, United States |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Website | redbluffroundup.com |
The Red Bluff Round-Up is a major stop on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) circuit that takes place in Red Bluff, California, United States. It officially began in 1921[1] and was inducted to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2015.[2] The Round-Up is the largest three day rodeo in the country.[3]
History
[edit]The Red Bluff Round-Up unofficially started in 1918 at the A.H. Clough Ranch when some of the workers decided to hold some competitions.[4][5] This continued in 1919 when more informal competitions were held in Vina, California.[5] Locals from Red Bluff and Chico saw the success of these events and started the Northern California Round-Up Association and put on the First Deer Creek Round-Up.[4][5] The first official Red Bluff Round-Up was held in 1921 when it was held in October.[5] It was moved to late April sometime between 1922 and 1926.[5] The Round-Up was postponed during the Great Depression and World War II. The Round-Up was first televised in 1970 on around 200 different stations.[5] In 1988, it hosted one of the “Challenge of the Champions” between the ProRodeo Hall of Famer, Lane Frost, and the hometown 1987 PRCA Bucking Bull of the Year, Red Rock.[6] In 1996, the Round-Up switched to the three-day format.[6]
In 2000, Round-Up officials started an event unique to the rodeo, the Wild Ride.[7][8] It consists of 12 contestants competing in saddle bronc riding while dressed in costumes.[7][8] It is held during the Sunday performance.[8] Awards are given to the top placements, consisting of a cash prize and a new saddle for first place.[8] In 2018, the Round-Up was one of the first rodeos in the country to have women’s breakaway roping on a professional level.[9]
Community Impact
[edit]The city of Red Bluff hosts many different events during rodeo week, including: blood drives, luncheons, a golf tournament, a bowling tournament, auctions, a pancake breakfast, a chili cook-off, a concert after the Saturday performance, and a parade through the downtown.[6][10][11][12] These events may vary from year to year, with the expectation of the Parade, which celebrated its 70th year in 2024.[10]
The Round-Up brings a lot of traffic through Tehama County, as hundreds of contestants come from across the world to compete, and the performances draw crowds ranging in the tens of thousands.[13][14] In 2024, there were 675 competitors and 35,000 people in attendance.[13] This influx of people helps boost the economy, bringing in millions of dollars.[5][6][11][12] The Round-Up also gives back to the community by giving out scholarships and funding local organizations.[5][11]
References
[edit]- ^ McGowan, Joseph A. (1961). History of the Sacramento Valley, Volume 2. Lewis Historical Publishing Company. p. 239.
- ^ "The Past, Present and Future of the Red Bluff Round Up". Enjoy Magazine. March 24, 2016.
- ^ "Red Bluff Round-Up slack offers a bit more rodeo". yahoo! sports. April 7, 2021.
- ^ a b Urseny, Laura (April 18, 2019). "Rodeo 101: How to figure out the Red Bluff Round-Up | Outdoor Adventures".
- ^ a b c d e f g h Nicolaus, Ruth (April 16, 2019). "MAKING ITS MARK: Red Bluff Round-Up is part of heritage, economy, tradition in the North State" (PDF).
- ^ a b c d "Red Bluff Round-Up". Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.
- ^ a b "Wild Ride is unique to Red Bluff Round Up". The Corning Observer. March 23, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Emerson, Cassie (April 25, 2017). "Red Bluff's Wild Ride Steals The Show". FloRodeo.
- ^ Tedford, Maxwell (March 3, 2024). "Red Bluff Round-Up cancels Cowgirls Breakaway Roping Competition". KRCRTV.com.
- ^ a b "Calendar of Red Bluff Roundup Events". Red Bluff Daily News. April 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c Whelchel, Lindsay (February 26, 2019). "Rodeo Preview: Red Bluff Round-Up".
- ^ a b Selchow, Tiffany (April 14, 2022). "Red Bluff Round-up 2022". Cowboy Lifestyle Network.
- ^ a b Helmes, Taylor (April 21, 2024). "Another sold out, record-breaking day for the Red Bluff Round-Up on Sunday". Action News Now.
- ^ "Red Bluff Round-Up looks to surpass success of 2021". Red Bluff Daily News. March 25, 2022.