A long-time parade tradition brings the community spirit of rodeo to the streets of Salinas.

Salinas’ first rodeo, then called the Wild West Show, took place in 1911. So too did the first of what would become an enduring tradition: A parade of people on horseback who came to watch. Even as the California Rodeo Salinas evolved into a major professional rodeo event, the parade endured as something more humble. Until the Salinas Sports Complex was rebuilt with its current grandstands in 1997, people would ride right up to the perimeter and watch the events, from horseback, through the fence.

“Hundreds of people would sit there and watch from the top of their horse,” says Dean Callender. Callender recounts one Soledad man’s story; he used to ride into town along River Road, cross the Salinas River on Highway 68, then go across town to the stadium; he and hundreds of other spectators would ride back to the river bank to camp each night of the rodeo.

The construction of the stadium forced a change, but the horse parade endures. For four days, riders can join (at no cost) and receive free entry to the rodeo grounds. They provide a show (also for free) to spectators who can see the 200-plus riders go by on the streets of Salinas. (Record participation was 1,000 horses in 1938.)

“It’s quite something to see,” says Callender, who serves as chair of the parade committee – and who has been a member of the committee for 47 years, since he was 12.

Callender rarely rides himself; since his family sold their Chualar Canyon ranch in 1990, he hasn’t had his own horse. But the tradition keeps him going. His grandfather and his father served on the parade committee. Now his daughter does too.

Judges award trophies and modest cash prizes (up to $100) in 24 categories including group and individual charro riders, drawn vehicle, early American costume and working vaquero, according to California State Horsemen’s Association guidelines. It’s all run by volunteers, with a roughly $3,500 annual budget – mostly prize money – covered by the Rodeo.

“It’s a really fun gathering,” Callender says, “not only for the people who watch it, but who participate.”

HORSE PARADES 3-4:30pm Thursday-Friday, July 17-18 start at East Alisal and Towt Street, Salinas. 11:30am-1pm Saturday-Sunday, July 19-20 start at South Main Street and Romie Lane. Both routes end at Salinas Sports Complex. For a map, visit carodeo.com. Free; riders can register in advance online.