The sign-up deadline is approaching for entries in the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade, which will celebrate more then six decades of friends, family and tradition on May 31.

Among other upcoming rodeo-related deadlines, applications are due May 2 from any group that wants to be part of the annual procession down Broadway, which is scheduled to kick off at 9 a.m. May 31.

Sign-up forms and rules are available at the Rodeo Office in the Santa Maria Elks Lodge, 1309 N. Bradley Road, or from the Web site, www.elksparade.com.

This year's parade theme is “65 years of Friends, Family and Tradition.”

With floats, equestrian groups, bands and baton twirlers, the parade typically draws thousands of people to Broadway in the midst of rodeo weekend.

“The coming together of the community has always been a good thing,” said Bob Alvarez, a member of the small army of Elks members who make the parade happen.

Organizers will hand out $3,500 in cash awards for several categories including best overall float, best musical unit, top equestrian, best youth entry, best mounted group and top community group.

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This year's rodeo is May 30 to June 1 at the Santa Maria Elks/Unocal Event Center. The traditional Thursday opening night of the local rodeo instead will be a professional bull-riding competition this year on May 29, as part of the Professional Bull Riders Inc. series.

In other rodeo events:

n Sign-ups for the team roping competition are due by 5 p.m. May 2. Contact the rodeo office for details and to register.

n Tickets are still available for the Rodeo Kickoff and Auction, set for 7 p.m. May 3 at the Elks Lodge. No-host cocktails start at 6 p.m. After the Santa Maria-style dinner and auction, country music disc jockey Jay Turner will provide the entertainment. Tickets cost $18. Silent and live auctions are planned.

n Nonprofit groups hoping to sell food or beverages along the parade route must send a representative to a May 8 meeting with parade officials, said Bill Hamblin, one of the event organizers. The mandatory meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the InWest Insurance office, 1525 E. Main St.

n Beard-A-Reno and Miss Wrangler contest winners will be chosen during a May 17 dinner at the Elks Lodge. Tickets cost $15.

Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Judging begins at 6:30 p.m.

n Rodeo tickets continue to be on sale at the Rodeo Office inside the Elks Lodge or via phone by calling 922-6006.

PBR tickets cost $30 for grandstand or $55 for box seats. The 7 p.m. May 30 rodeo tickets range from $8 to $20, while tickets for the 2 p.m. performances on May 31 and June 1 cost between $10 and $25.

To see a map of the rodeo grounds seating, go to www.santamariaelks.com/rodeo/rodeo.html#tickets.

For more information call the rodeo office at 925-4125 or go to www.santamariaelks.com.

April 24, 2008