SeeCalifornia.com

California’s 2014 rodeo season and dates are firmed up through July but there’s one surprise. The Auburn Rodeo Stampede recently announced it’s done–gone. Low attendance and diminishing sponsorship were reasons cited for this year’s sudden closure. Among the events was the popular kids’ competion, Mutton Bustin’ in which children saddle up (with helmets on) and ride sheep.   For the rest of the Rodeo World in California, it’s another great year to add to your belt buckle collection (some rodeos award belt buckles as prizes.) Here’s the schedule, to date.

If you’ve never been to a rodeo, prepare to see and possibly eat a little dust when you go. Many rodeos in California span several days or even weeks, and include special events surrounding the arena competitions. Queens are often selected from high school female contestants who win through community service and votes, a rodeo parade marches through the mains streets of town before the big arena event, and there may be BBQs, dances, concerts and even cowboy church. Rodeo contest categories include tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, bull riding and barrel racing.

In agriculture-based cities and communities rodeos are some of the most celebrated and anticipated events during the year. For cowboys on the professional rodeo circuit, points are earned during the season which begins around now and culminates with the Nationals Final Rodeo at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, usually in  December.