[California Rodeos]

A rough-and-tumble collection of press photos showing the exploits of daring broncos, holding on for dear life (and often failing at this task) at the famed Salinas Rodeo and elsewhere. A few of the photographs were taken by Devere Helfrich. Devere and his wife Helen were a pair of Oregon-based commercial artists considered the foremost photographers of the golden age of rodeo.

The California Rodeo Salinas is an annual rodeo that takes place for four days starting on the third Thursday of July. The event is coordinated by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) at the Salinas Sports Complex. The rodeo traces back to the Sausal Park Race Track which kicked off its first race back in 1875. Due to falling attendance, the racetrack, renamed Sherwood Park in 1878, revamped its programming to feature on bronc riding rodeos during the 2-year long interim between races. On August 1, 1911, the first Wild West Rodeo Show and the Main Street horse parade debuted. The attendance grew the following year with the inclusion of cowgirls and the participation of famed Black cowboy Jesse Stahl after having retired. The rodeo maintained popularity, attendees including Hollywood stars such as Gene Autry and Will Rogers. In 1926, the Queen of the Rodeo tradition began (later renamed Sweetheart of the Rodeo) and the Rodeo Cowboys Association was founded. During WWII, the grounds were occupied by more than 3,000 interned Japanese Americans until July 1942, and later used by the army as the Salinas Garrison. In 1979, the California Rodeo Historical Committee was founded and the California Rodeo Heritage Collection Museum holds historical relics and memorabilia – from costumes, saddles, cowboy hats – from past rodeos. In the 1990s, Salinas complex was renovated, adding a saloon and expanding the capacity to double. Today, the Rodeo Salinas remains one of the biggest and most popular rodeos in the state of California and is televised nationwide. The Rodeo Salinas is also a non-profit organization managed by the California Rodeo Association that holds community and charity events.