09/02/2026
We are still pinching ourselves about this! 🤩
This year sees the debut of a new honor at National Rodeo Hall of Fame weekend here at The Cowboy.
The Rodeo Legacy Award recognizes rodeos for their historical significance, lasting impact on the sport and commitment to preserving Western heritage. Honorees are selected for their contributions to rodeo history, their communities and the continued growth of the sport for future generations.
One of the two rodeos being honored with the Rodeo Legacy Award this year is California Rodeo Salinas.
If you'd like to join us in celebrating the legends of rodeo, you can attend National Rodeo Hall of Fame Weekend here at The Cowboy on November 13-14. Ticket and event information can be found at this link: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/national-rodeo-hall-of-fame/rodeo-hall-of-fame-weekend/
For over a century, the California Rodeo Salinas has celebrated the traditions of the West in the heart of California’s Salinas Valley. What began in 1911 as a Wild West Show at the local racetrack quickly became known as “Big Week,” a name that still defines the third week of July in Salinas today.
True to its tagline, “Where the West Comes Alive,” the California Rodeo Salinas is the largest rodeo in California and one of the top professional rodeos in the country. Its unique setup, with a larger arena surrounded by a track, traditional horse parades, community events and championship competition, sets Salinas apart and has made it a favorite stop for generations of cowboys and cowgirls.
At the core of the California Rodeo are generations of volunteers who work year-round to produce Big Week and carry its traditions forward.
While the Rodeo has grown and changed through the years, its roots remain the same: celebrating Western heritage, bringing the community together and keeping the traditions of rodeo alive for the next generation.
The 2026 National Rodeo Hall of Fame Weekend is presented by Bobby and JJ Norris & The Dellora A. and Lester J. Norris Foundation.
