Continuing some traditions and adding what could become another, Santa Maria Elks Rodeo season kicked off Saturday night with a dinner and auction attended by more than 300 people.

The rodeo kickoff event typically coincides with the Santa Maria mayor's proclamation of “Go Western Days,” imploring residents to don Western garb and get into the rodeo spirit.

Auction proceeds this year will go entirely to Elks Recreation, instead of also being used to help pay for queen contestants' outfits and other costs. Officials earlier canceled this year's rodeo queen campaign - “sadly,” noted Jim Glines, queen contest co-chairman - because of too few candidates.

“That's very difficult,” Glines said of the unpopular decision to call off the tradition.

Over the years, the queen contestants and their sponsoring committees have raised more than $10 million for youth recreation.

As recognition and thanks, Santa Maria Elks Recreation officials Saturday night presented $1,500 apiece to the pair of groups - Guadalupe Kiwanis Club and Santa Ynez Valley Elks Youth Recreation - who intended to run queen candidates this year.

“I can't thank you enough for your willingness to participate,” Glines said. “Do me one favor: Get a girl ready next year because we're coming full speed ahead.”

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While there won't be a 2008 rodeo queen, this year will have Miss Rodeo Santa Maria, Megan Jones, who approached local organizers about representing the local event, according the Keith Barks, president of Elks Recreation.

“She's going to be an ambassador for the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo,” Barks said.

The Cal Poly student from Castro Valley has been a long-time rodeo participant and said serving in this role has “been my dream.”

“I love the sport. I love being around it. ... I love to teach people about rodeo,” Jones said.

She will represent the Santa Maria rodeo at other events and Miss Rodeo California, Barks said.

The 2007 Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Queen Samantha Garley of Santa Ynez Valley also attended as her reign winds down.

This year's rodeo is May 30 to June 1 at the Santa Maria Elks/Unocal Event Center.

The rodeo's traditional opening night, this year Thursday, May 29, instead will feature bull riding only, as part of a Professional Bull Riding Inc. tour. Tickets for that event are proving especially popular, Barks said.

Before the Friday night, May 30 performance, country singer Mark Chestnutt will perform at the rodeo grounds. Rodeo tickets for that night's performance also will pay for concert admission.

The parade will hit Broadway on May 31 to the theme of “65 Years of Family, Friends and Tradition.”

Upcoming rodeo deadlines include the following:

n An extended parade entry deadline means applications will be accepted through May 14. Visit www.elksparade.com for more information.

n Tickets remain on sale for the annual Beard-A-Reno dinner set for May 17 at the Elks Lodge.

For rodeo information, call 925-4125; for tickets call 922-6006

Janene Scully can be reached at 739-2214 or janscully@santamariatimes.com

May 4, 2008