66th Annual Stagecoach Days This Weekend In Banning: What To Know

BANNING, CA — The Stagecoach Days Rodeo will go on as planned in 2023, Banning Stagecoach Days Association and the Banning Chamber of Commerce announced this week. The 66th annual rodeo event will be held from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 8, and Saturday, Sept. 9, at Dysart Park at 2101 West Victory Avenue in Banning.

Festivities include a Saturday morning parade at 10 a.m.

Events at Dysart Park start at 5 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday. Live performances, fun zones, vendors, and a beer garden, among other events, will go on nightly.

Banning Mayor Alberto Sanchez commented on the city's commitment to help out as a community partner for 2023.

"The annual Stagecoach Days event has attracted thousands of visitors over the decades and continues to provide a fun-filled family experience for people of all ages," he said. "The city is firmly committed as a community partner in making certain this annual tradition remains strong."

Earlier this year, Amy Pippenger, the Chairwoman of the nonprofit Stagecoach Days Association, shared pictures and video of vandalism at their offices, which threatened to sideline the rodeo.

The community immediately stepped up to offer support, though the nonprofit opted to wait to see what insurance would cover.

The city of Banning has come on board to sponsor the entertainment and a Kids Zone during the event, she told Patch. Thus far, the Stagecoach Days Association has replaced much of what was destroyed or needed to put on the event. However, a few things remain missing, she said. Most notably, portable air conditioners for the announcer's booth and ticket booths.

"If anyone has portable air conditioners to donate or to loan us during the event, we would most appreciate it," she told Patch.

Like the needed portable air conditioners, a few other items were lost that have not yet been replaced.

"You go to get something, and it's not there," Pippenger said. "We're still finding things we need, such as parking signs, if they're not here, they're not here," things like that showing up that we hadn't thought about."

For Pippenger, she believes this year will be a good one for the rodeo.

"The rodeo is packed with professional contestants, more than ever before," she said. "The popularity of rodeo is growing like never before. Women's breakaway and barrel racing is the number one fastest-growing sport in the U.S."

Come out to support Stagecoach Days by attending the rodeo, and if you can help with the air conditioners, let them know.

Related:

Vandalism May Force Banning Stagecoach Days To Cancel 2023 Rodeo