107th Clovis Rodeo to be held in-person with some changes
The 107th rodeo is scheduled to run from Wednesday, April 21 through Sunday, April 25.
CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Clovis Rodeo is making a return after a one-year hiatus prompted by the COVID 19 pandemic.
Come April 21st, the rodeo's top athletes on both two legs and four will compete at the 107th Clovis Rodeo.
Clovis Rodeo Association Vice President Ron Dunbar says while the festivities may look different, tradition, including the tri-tip, is key.
"When you come in it'll be the same quality show and that's what was important to the committee and directors - that we put on the 'A show' not a 'D show', Still bringing the top stock top cowboys," Dunbar says.
Because of health and safety guidelines, the parade, concerts, and dance won't happen.
Stetsons won't be the only accessory seen throughout the stands. In addition to proof of either a COVID-19 vaccination or negative test, masks will be required.
"The reason we're going through the guidelines that the state's provided is we can increase the crowd by being vaccinated or tested before we come in. Without that, we're at 20-25% and we can't make that happen. Financially it'd be a disaster. It's going to be hard this year at 40% but we can make it happen," says Dunbar.
They've added a fifth day of rodeo competition plus organizers are working with the county to increase the viewing areas on the rodeo grounds.
"Right now the rodeo can happen as is because it's a professional event but we want to make sure we can bring in as many fans as possible and of course to keep those fans safe," says Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig.
Annually, the rodeo has a $12 million economic impact for local businesses city- and county-wide. That's on top of the money raised for non-profits.
"Having events like this, we can bring the community together we can get back to normal," says Magsig.
The 107th Clovis Rodeo runs from April 21st to 25th and kicks off with the annual blood drive on the 19th and 20th.
Tickets purchased for 2020 will be honored but the logistics are still being worked out.
Anyone who purchased tickets in 2019 will have those tickets honored this year. Officials say any other available tickets will likely go on sale a week before the event.
