Weekend full of barbecue, craft and horse events for all ages in
San Benito County
The 71st Annual Saddle Horse Show Parade, moving through downtown Hollister Thursday has a long history – with a gap.
What many community members may not know is the parade was called off for at least 10 years, and has only been running consistently year by year since 1978.
San Benito Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Theresa Kiernan said “parades are about the entire community,” and for a brief period during the 1960s, the community here decided to not march through town and celebrate the up coming Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.
“The parade just stopped for at least 10 years,” Sharlene Van Rooy of the Chamber of Commerce said. “It was in the newspaper archives all through the 70s and then when you get to the 60s it just stops.”
Van Rooy spent some time looking through those archives, but couldn’t find out why the parade stopped.
Long-time Hollister resident Bill Hawkins said the parade has been going on since the 1930s and was the main event of the years post World War II.
“This was before the bike rallies,” he said.
Hawkins thinks it must have stopped because the community didn’t support it.
“I’m not exactly sure why it stopped, but they probably didn’t have enough people interested in it,” he said.
Hawkins also said most of the traditional aspects of the parade are the same as they were 70 years ago. One reoccurring highlight of the parade is Miss San Benito Rodeo. Hawkins hopes the interest in the parade continues for years to come.
“It seems to me there is more interest today than there has been in past years,” he said. “I think part of this has to do with people who are new to the county. They’re finally getting to know about the community events.”
New county resident and old headed downtown Thursday for the parade which, just like years past, will be followed by other activities. After watching more than 75 local businesses and organizations stroll down San Benito Street, community members can enjoy a barbecue dinner and dancing at the Veterans’ Plaza.
The parade kicks off the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo, which will be held at Bolado Park today through Sunday, June 27. Take Hwy. 25 through downtown Hollister to Bolado Park in Tres Pinos.
Along with plenty of horses, visitors can enjoy a wine and cheese reception and the Hand Crafted Equipment and Western Arts Fair for free on Friday.
On Saturday enjoy a family barbecue at 1 p.m. and a corral for kids all weekend at the north grandstand.
For parade details: 637-5315; for Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo: 628-3421.
