108th Annual Livermore Rodeo Returns With Bull Riding, Parade, More

LIVERMORE, CA — Cowboys are galloping into Livermore this week for the 108th annual Livermore Rodeo, a weekend of bull riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, and many community events. The rodeo began in 1918, when Livermore locals hosted a rodeo to raise $1200 for the Red Cross. It was such a hit that Universal Studios sent a film crew to capture it for national newsreels. In 1919, the Livermore Stockmen's Rodeo Association formed, and competitions have been held every year since.

The festivities begin Wednesday, with the 45th annual Team Branding & Mixer at Livermore Valley Stadium at 3000 Robertson Park Road. Guests can enjoy a BBQ dinner and live entertainment, including the paint branding of calves.

On Thursday, Local Team Roping and Slack, an overflow competition for local contestants. The Diablo Ladies Drill Team will perform after the slack competition.

On Friday, top performers from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association will perform at the Robertson Park Rodeo Arena. This will be followed by the Cowgirl Luncheon, a 21+ event will feature a silent auction, live auction, and a steak and chicken lunch.

The biggest events begin Saturday, starting with the Livermore Downtown Parade at 10 a.m. Many streets around the downtown area will be closed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The parade will feature vintage cars, local groups, equestrian teams, marching bands, local organizations, and more.

After the parade, the Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance and Quest Science Center are co-hosting a free Post-Parade Pop-Up at Quest Plaza at Stockmen’s Park. Guests can learn about different ways to get involved in the organization’s many different nonprofits and community resources.

Gates to the stadium will open at 11 a.m. At 3 p.m., the Grand Entry will feature the Livermore Rodeo Stagecoaches, Rodeo Queens, and the presentation of the American Flag. Guests can also enjoy a vendor alley featuring food, drink, and booths selling Western attire, toys, and art.

The Grand Entry will be followed by rodeo events like bareback, tiedown roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc, local team roping, steer wrestling, PRCA team roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.

On Sunday, gates will also open at 11 a.m., and the championship rounds will begin at 3 p.m.

Sunday will also see the debut of the Lil’ Pardners Rodeo, in which 40 special needs participants between the ages of 5 and 17 will get to be “cowboys and cowgirls” for a day. They will pair up with a cowboy or cowgirl who will help them simulate steer roping using a fake steer, participate in barrel racing using stick horses, and even ride on a real horse. The event is open for public viewing.

For more information and tickets, visit livermorerodeo.com.