Livermore Rodeo Parade - eLivermore.com

The rodeo is held on the 2nd Weekend of June each year (starting on the 2nd Saturday of June). The parade is on Saturday morning with the Rodeo on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Additional Rodeo related activities occur earlier in the week. See the eLivermore.com community calendar or the list below for details.

eLivermore.com has photos from the last 22 years of the parade and Historical Photos.

The 2024 Livermore Rodeo Parade will be held on June 8, 2024, beginning at 10:00am
Click here for the 2024 parade details.

The Rodeo is always on the second full weekend of June, with the parade on Saturday morning. The possible date range for the parade is June 8 to 14.

Parade Year	Grand Marshal	Community Service Award
2024	Kathryn McGlinchey Laughlin	Ronald A Forbs Sr.
2023	The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Fusion Team	Sonya Sheffield
2022	Marc Roberts	Alan and Mary Burnham
2021	Dominick Saccullo (Parade was Virtual)	Axis Community Health
2020	Keith Andersen - Note that the parade was cancelled in 2020	John Gordon
2019	Leo Croce	Officers Dave Martin and Matt Ishmael
2018	Dorothy Basso	Kathleen Minser
2017	Congressman Eric Swalwell	The Livermore Valley Education Foundation
2016	Jacquie Williams-Courtright	Bob & Donna McKenzie
2015	Joan and Lynn Seppala	Steve Neef and Dennis Gambs
2014	Sheila M. Fagliano	Chris and Patti Ising
2013	Steve Sweeney	Susan Gallinger
2012	Ron Scott	Linda Barton
2011	Lucky Gravette	Charles Crohare
2010	Don Nolte	The Valley Care Auxiliary Group
2009	The Bankhead Family	Leo Croce
2008	Retired Judge Al Lewis	Bob and Cheryl Rumberger
2007	Merilyn (Tillie) Calhoun	Rev. William E. Nebo
2006	John Shirley	Cathie Brown
2005	Ralph Laughlin	Jacquie Williams-Courtright
2004	Barry Schrader	Doug Bell
2003	David & Barbara Mertes	Gary Drummond
2002	Ed Rundstrom	John Shirley
2001	Lois Mulqueeney Walker	Stuart Gary
2000	Jim Concannon	Glenny Norris
1999	Carl Holdener	Ann Wieskamp
1998	Dr Edward Teller	Sheila Cardoza Fagliano
1997	Hal Kamp, Russ Bargmann, & Ed Rundstrom	Dan Silveira
1996	Gerry Bireley & Pete DeBruin	City of Livermore Design Review Committee, Martha Silberman Chairman
1995	Rotary	Monsignor Adams
1994	Duke DePaoli	Mike Thompson
1993	Manuel Enos	Ed Rundstrom
1992	Carol Jean Famaris	Bill Pane
1991	Vets of all 20^th Century Wars
1990	Frank Castro	Peter Lum
1989	The Raymond Sisters	Louise Clausnitzer
1988	Bert Christensen	Ada Kuendig & Gary Drummond
1987	Elwin Mulqueeney	Carol Jean Famarris & Bob Moore
1986	Virginia Fellingham	Virginia Fellingham, Barbara Stears & William O’Neal
1985	Mansar Iqbal	Carol Andrews, Rich Solarz
1984	Floyd Sparks	N/A
1983	The Wente & Concannon Families	N/A
1982	C. Anderson, H. Gabriel, & D. Mueller	N/A
1981	Joe Serpa	N/A
1980	Jack Baird	N/A
1979	Herb Hagemann
1978	Max Baer Jr.
1975	Joe Serpa




1964	Johnie Schneider. Parade moved to Saturday to avoid conflict with LHS graduation. Rodeo at old site still at this point.
1963	Evening parade held.
1962	Evening parade held. New bleachers added.
1961	No Rodeo or parade. Jr. Rodeo was held.	A history talk indicated this year it was cancelled due to conflicts with LARPD, and it was the 3rd time it was cancelled.
1960	Rodeo was held with rented stands. Friday Twilight parade.
1959	No parade. Rodeo was cancelled due to the grandstands being condemned.	News headline stated that Rodeo had been missed only twice since 1918. Unclear if that counted 1959.
1958	Sheriff of Cochise (John Bromfield)
1953	Governor named, but could not attend...
1952	Capt. Frank Gill
1951	Veterans (I think)
1942-45	Parade not held.

1941	Sheriff
1937	Governor (Frank Merriam)
1936	San Mateo Sheriff

1933	Sheriff R. R. Veale (Contra Costa County)

1931	Governor James Rolph
1930	Mayor James Rolph Jr. of San Francisco

I have taken photos of the Rodeo Guy many times for this site, and have all of the start dates. The years listed below each photo are the years that the rodeo was on those dates. A red year is when the particular photo was taken.

Date (2024)	Day	Time	Admission	Event	The Rodeo Guy. See Description in FAQ below.
This information is provided for your convenience. Please visit the Livermore Rodeo website for the most up to date information.
Spring 2024			General: $25 Reserved: $30 Premium Res: $35	Tickets will be sold online, or can be purchased in person at the Livermore Valley Stadium (3000 Robertson Park Road).
June 1	Sat	6:00pm to 10:00pm		Princess Competition The Livermore Rodeo Foundation in partnership with the Livermore Stockmen's Rodeo Association is proud to announce that during the 2024 Livermore Rodeo, we will be crowning up to six (6) local girls, ages 7-12, to represent the World's Fastest Rodeo! Congratulations to last years crowned Princesses.
June 5	Wednesday	Gates Open: 4:30pm Dinner at 6:00-8:00pm Live Music: 6:00-10:00pm	$30 14 & over $20 5-13 Free 4 & under	Mixer and Team Branding at Robertson Featuring Team Branding, live music and a Tri Tip BBQ dinner. Children are NOW permitted to attend this event. This event is located at the Robertson Park Rodeo Arena. Sofia Claire will be Live in Concert. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. More information and tickets More info (on the Rodeo web site). Tickets available at Baughmans, 2029 First St. Starting April 1. Advance Ticket Sales Only Live music from 6:00-10:00pm
June 6	Thursday	Slack starts at 6pm	Free	Local Events Slack. Formerly called "Family Night". Food & Beverage will NOT be available this year. Special performance at post of the event by the Diablo Ladies Drill Team. See Photos. More info (on the Rodeo web site)
June 7	Friday	12:00pm - 3:00pm	$50	Cowgirl Luncheon. Must be 21 or older. A lunch brought to you by the Livermore Rodeo Foundation recognizing local scholarship recipients and this years cowgirl honoree. Lunch to include choices of Hors D'oeuvres, steak or chicken along with sides. A silent auction will be held.
June 8	Saturday	10:00am	Free	Rodeo Parade on 2nd Street - 2024 Parade page Photos of 2023 Parade
June 8-9	Saturday & Sunday	Gates Open: 11:00am Grand Entry: 3:00pm	Online: General: $25 Reserved: $30 Premium Res: $35 Add $5 Rodeo Weekend Parking: $20 (includes Program)	Rodeo at Robertson Park. 2 and under are free (must sit on parents laps). 3-12 and 60 & over $1 discount. Gates open at 11:00am. Grand Entry at 3:00pm. Rodeo web site. - See Photos Events: Bareback - Saddle Bronc and Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Tie-Down Roping, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, and Bull Riding.
June 9	Sunday	Check in: 10:00am Rodeo: 11:00a		Lil Pardner's Rodeo. The “Lil’ Pardners Rodeo” is an event held every Sunday of the rodeo, which gives physically and mentally challenged children a day to experience the thrill of being a genuine cowboy or cowgirl. More Info (on the Rodeo web site).
June 15	Saturday	8:00am	Free	Jr. Rodeo. PeeWee events kick off at 9:00am. Peewees include 4- and 5- year-olds riding sheep; the 6-10-year-olds ride calves; 11-13-year-olds ride steers; 14-16-year-olds ride junior bulls; and 16-18-year-olds ride senior bulls. Takes place at Robertson Park. Jr. Rodeo Website. - See Photos: 2010 - 2014

When to arrive:	9:30 or so. 9:30 is when first half of the entrants get there, so there will be parade viewers coming with them. There are people arriving at 8:30 or so to get their desired viewing spot. The parade begins at 10:00am
How long does it last?	The parade generally lasts until about 11:30am, but this will vary by the number of entries and the length of the entries. In 2009 the parade, with 73 entries, ended at 11:28am
Where to Park:	Parking on surrounding streets is available. Most of these streets are residential. Please be courteous. The parking garage behind the theater is also available. There is handicap parking on 2nd and 3rd just east of J St.
Bring:	Folding chair or blanket to sit on (there may not be room for everyone to sit), Sunscreen, Hat, Camera. Dogs are permitted starting 2015. Please keep them on a leash, and clean up after them.
Do Not Bring:	No Alcohol. It is not permitted
What can be purchased during parade:	Non Profit groups will be selling refreshments, which include: Ice Cream. A Boy Scout troop selling Snow Cones, Sodas, & bottled water. A Boy Scout troop selling Hot Dogs, Sodas, & bottled water.
Parade route	Click Here for the route map (pdf file) The parade is staged on 3rd street, with the parade itself starting on O St, with the main portion on 2nd St, and ending on J. The Parade route also shows the announcing stations. There are 4 announcing stations, separated by about a block and a half. Each announcing station has the same script. Entries with a specific performance generally perform at each announcing stand. The last announcing stand also includes the judging stand.
Street Closures	See the route map. J, K, L, M, N, and O streets are closed between 1st and 4th streets 2nd and 3rd streets are closed between J and P. 1st Street and 4th Street remain open.
Order of appearance	Parade Entry Lineup (Added a week or two before the parade, and updated until just before the parade). A one page printable version will be available to take to the parade with you. Click here for 2019 Parade lineup
Awards Presentation	The Awards Presentation will be at about 12:30 at Carnegie Park, located in the block between J & K, and 3rd & 4th Streets.
Restrooms	Restrooms are available at Carnegie Park and at Third & M Streets.
Parade Headquarters & First Aid	The Parade Headquarters and First Aid station are located at the corner of Third & M Street.

Who organizes the parade?	The parade has been organized by the Livermore Rotary Club since 1978, when it was taken over from the Jaycees. It has also been organized by the Chamber of Commerce in the 1950s. Originally the parade was organized by the Livermore Stockmen's Association. Robert Concannon organized the first Rodeo Parade in 1918.
When did the parade start?	The parade began with the rodeo, in 1918. The rodeo was over the 4th of July at that time. There had been 4th of July parades prior to the Rodeo. Newspapers often referred to it as the "4th of July Parade" in the 1920s. The Rodeo and parade were NOT held in 1924 (Hoof & Mouth disease), 1959 (Grandstands condemned) and 1961 (coordination disagreements). It was held over the 4th of July from 1918 to 1931. In 1932 and 1933 it was held in May, but the weather was too unpredictable. In 1934 it was moved to the 2nd weekend in June. The parade was not held from 1942 to 1945, but the rodeo did take place. There was also a "Kiddie Parade" for children in some years, especially in the 1950s.
How Many People attend the parade?	About 15,000.
How many entries are typically in the parade?	The 2024 Parade had have 90 entries. About 1387 people participated, plus many horses and some dogs. The 2023 Parade had 80 entries. About 1300 people participated, plus many horses. The 2022 Parade had 81 entries. About 1200 people participated, plus many horses. The 2021 Parade was held virtually due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, as was the Rodeo. The 2020 Parade was cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, as was the Rodeo. The 2019 Parade had 96 entries. About 1576 people participated, plus many horses. The 2018 Parade had 111 entries. About 1805 people participated, plus many horses. The 2017 parade had 97 entries. About 1937 people participated, plus many horses. The 2016 parade had 102 entries. About 2032 people participated, plus many horses. The 2015 parade had 88 entries. About 1461 people participated, plus many horses and at least one dog. The 2014 parade had 87 entries. About 1514 people participated, plus many horses and at least one dog. The 2013 parade had 82 entries. About 1470 people participated, plus many horses and at least one dog. The 2012 parade had 87 entries. About 1462 people participated, plus many horses and at least one dog. The 2011 parade had 77 entries. About 1624 people participated, plus many horses and at least one dog. The 2010 parade had 77 entries. About 1300 people participated, plus many horses and at least one dog. The 2009 parade had 75 entries. About 1470 people participated. The 2008 parade had 83 entries. About 1566 people participated. The 2007 parade had 83 entries. About 1625 people participated. The 2006 parade had 79 entries. About 2000 people participated. The 2005 parade had 90 entries. About 2000 people participated. The 2004 parade had 79 entries. About 2100 people participated. Entry totals obtained from the final lineup. Participant totals are from the entry forms, which are estimates in many cases. The complete parade lineups back through 2004 are listed on eLivermore.com. See the links above.
What types of organizations are in the parade?	School bands, local businesses, local organizations, dance studios, churches, classic cars, horse entries, and many more. eLivermore.com has been in the parade since 2002.
What categories are judged?	See the Parade Entry Categories for 2023,
Who are the parade judges?	Rotary Club of Livermore California State Horseman's Association
Is there TV coverage	The 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023 parade videos are online. Go to the year's parade page for the link.
Where did the Rodeo Guy come from?	There were many of these made, and are known as the Muffler Man. They were sold to service stations around the country, and built to be holding a muffler. Gerald Bireley bought two of these with Phillips Oil Co to stand outside of his service station on Portola Ave. Jerry Bireley, his son, recently restored the service station. The Muffler Men were sold to the rodeo for use as mascots. One of them is no longer with us, but the other appears along 580 by the golf driving range between the El Charro and Airway exits. To see many other Muffler Men, check This Link and also Here. See below for a photo of the Rodeo Guy for each rodeo start date.

	Livermore Rodeo	Livermore Stockmen's Rodeo Association, which sponsors the rodeo.
	Livermore Rotary	Parade Organizer
	eLivermore.com	Community Calendar, Things to Do, Photos, History, and Link for Livermore and the Tri-Valley.
	Livermore Visitors Guide	All about Livermore. Places of interest, activities, and more. On eLivermore.com
	Livermore Hotels	Listing of hotels in Livermore and the Tri-Valley area. On eLivermore.com
	Livermore Restaurants	Listing of all restaurants on Livermore. Links to surrounding cities also. On eLivermore.com