 On The Line -- Issue 640 -- June 22, 2007  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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On The Line -- Issue 640 -- June 22, 2007 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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San Benito County has many traditions -- some dating to the early days of its formation- and one that is firmly imbedded in the residents' consciousness is the Saddle Horse Show and rodeo that is held annually on the last full weekend of June.
It began in the late 1920s as part of the county fair but the next year it was its own entity and was held at what is now Bolado Park, with the permission of Julia Bolado Ashe Davis. She later made the land a gift to the state as a park bearing the name of her father. Even before San Benito County seceded from Monterey County 135 years ago, vaqueros and cowboys were pursuing their profession -- herding cattle - on it. At round-up time men would demonstrate their prowess at riding and roping and other ranch skills. So, decades before the Saddle Horse Show began rodeo was nothing new to its residents. The annual rodeo started here just before the Depression and people whose spirits were low forgot their troubles for a few hours while friends and neighbors participated in it. It has run annually since then except during the World War II years when many who had taken part in it were participating for higher stakes in a greater arena. But it resumed in 1946. It is still a family-type event where participants must live or work in the county Rodeo excitement is already building by June and continues until the weekend itself. It is held the late afternoon before the first day of the show when thousands of residents and visitors line both sides of San Benito Street to cheer on friends in it. The parade was dropped for some years until Ray Mariottini was the Chamber of Commerce president in the early 1980. Some directors felt there was not enough time to generate interest in but Mariottini was adamant and the board voted to put in on. It was an unqualified success and has continued every year since. People began lining both sides of San Benito Street as early as 4 p.m. for some of the choice observation points even though the parade was scheduled to begin at 6. Friends waved to each other and talked about this and that. It was a particularly hot afternoon and many sought relief from the heat in shaded areas. Others toughed it out, fanning themselves with hats, newspapers and whatever else was handy. Meanwhile in the offices of Bianchi, Lorincz, Huey, Hudson & Company LLP on Sixth Street, a few dozen people were participating in what has come to be an unofficial event: enjoying the many hors d'oeuvres set out by the staff, and catching up on what has been happening. Bob Bianchi made it a point of welcoming guests who dropped by while his wife Crystal Bianchi mingled with them, helping to see that everyone was well taken care of. The office has a balcony overlooking Sixth Street and people sat out there in the shade, sipping lemonade or wine. One could see a section of San Benito Street from that location so many guests watched the whole parade from there. Others went to the windows on the Sixth Street side for a fuller view of the event. When they host friends, the staff is open handed and attentive. Mary Hubbell brought out a tray of sushi wraps and found a place for it on the side table. The main table already had plates of chicken wings, cheeses and other delicacies. A bowl of miniature meatballs in a piquant sauce got a lot of attention. Bianchi, meanwhile, was at the end of the balcony grilling frankfurters. As he finished a row, a staff member carried them inside where they were put into hot dog buns, then wrapped in foil to retain the heat until consumed. There were containers of catsup, mustard and relish on a side table. Anthony Silva showed up, as he does every year, and fell into conversation briefly with Kerry Tobias as Yvonne Caporgno and Barbara Wind carried more trays of food to the tables. Jon and Juanita Mansmith sampled a bit of this and a bit of that. Because they are engaged in preparing and serving food they are discerning in their tastes. Lloyd Serpa and Hanne Tynchak made their way through the wine room. Someone shouted, "Here it comes!" and guests hurried to the balcony or the Sixth Street windows to see it pass by. The Wells Fargo stagecoach, a traditional part of each parade, rolled by with Will Sutton and Michele Stephens, Citizens of the Year, waved from the windows. Marshal Robert Scattini got his share of applause as did Pauline Valdivia of the Hollister City Council. Supervisor Anthony Botelho returned the greetings with a smile and a wave of his hand. Along the 800 block of San Benito Street, Irene Agredano watched the parade with two of her grandchildren, Felicia and Dominic Turturici, Mrs. Agredano's mother, Engracia Agredano, and her sister and brother-in-law, Margarita and Frank Quezada, gave a rousing cheer as the county's Search and Rescue Team went by on horseback, and Sal Agredano, Mrs. Agredano's son, tipped his Stetson in return The judges' stand was in front of the Chamber of Commerce building so escaped much of the glare of the late afternoon sun. Last year it was across the street in front of the Veterans' Memorial Building. Among the judges were Ron and Dianne Rodrigues, Mark Rianda and Kim Cabotage. They took turns in announcing which entry was due next and a brief description of the company sponsoring it. Horse riders, marchers, cars with dignitaries, and floats all received cheers. Among the most enthusiastic was the Kinderville float with many of its young charges who apparently enjoyed the spotlight. The Scarlet Regiment Band of San Benito High School played for all it was worth and got enthusiastic applause in return. Jessica French, executive secretary of the Chamber, smiled from the sidewalk at every entry. Then, soon after the E Clampus Vitus chapter lurched by, the parade ended. Hardly any time passed before 8-Second Ride struck up the first tune of its concert in front of the Veterans' Memorial Building. Another year, another parade, but although each resembles the previous ones in some ways, each is unique and has its own flavor. |
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