History:
1914 - Began as an Old West celebration by the Clovis Women's Club. It
was a venue for local cowboys to compete. It evolved into a two-day event
with bronc riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, bull riding, etc.
1916 - The event became known as the Clovis Day Festival. The events were
kicked off on April 1st with family picnics, tug-o-wars, wheelbarrow races,
etc. The culmination of the month was a parade through downtown Clovis,
with the Clovis Municipal Band and a Festival Queen being crowned. The
rodeo was the last weekend.
1920's - In the twenties the parade became a major event before the rodeo,
with an old fashioned "paddy- wagon" in the parade and cowboys would pull
merchants from their stores and put them in the wagon and finish the parade
with them.
1921 - In this year
the event became known as the Clovis Rodeo, with working cowboys the
main participants.
Downtown Clovis
was much different them, and people would park their cars around a vacant
block and the rodeo would take place there.
1930's - The predecessor of today's Rodeo Association was formed and
organized (Clovis Horse Show and Festival Assn.). The rodeo was held
just north of Third St.
1937 -
The group purchased 26 acres from the Shaver Lake Lumber Co. (today's
rodeo grounds) with the intent of constructing a rodeo arena.
In April
of that year the first wooden grandstand was |
built with seating for 1,400
people.
1946 - With the official name of Clovis Horse Show and Festival
Assn, the association began to use the name of Clovis Rodeo Association.
1949 - The large concrete grandstand was constructed. At that time there
was also a racetrack within the grounds. For many years the rodeo included
"chuck-wagon races" around the grounds. During other times of the year
the track was used for "hardtop' races. Many improvements have been constructed
over the years.
The large hall
building was constructed in the late 1980's.
In 2002 a VIP pavilion was constructed over the roping chutes for watching the
rodeo indoors or on the elevated patio. The Clovis Rodeo has been one of the
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Tour Rodeos the last several years, which
brings the top cowboys to our community. This event is also televised on national
networks.
Community Benefit: The association is a non-profit organization
with the main purpose of putting on the annual rodeo and other April
festivities. The association is a strong supporter of many local groups and organizations.
These include: Boy Scouts, 4-H, FFA, Explorer Scouts, Fresno State Equestrian
team, Elks Club, VFW, American Legion, School booster groups, Clovis schools,
Boys & Girls Club, etc.
Facts:
Membership total: 580 Per day capacity seating: 7,271 Total Purse for 2004 Rodeo:
$210,133. |