SPECIAL REPORT: 50 years of events around the Central Coast
It’s no secret the Central Coast is home to beautiful views, outstanding restaurants and everything in between.
Those are all part of what’s bringing people back to the Central Coast for the events that have become staples in the community.
From the sky to the sea, from the arena, to the golf course, KION has been there covering events for the past 50 years.
The Pebble Beach Pro Am is one of the staples visitors and the community have come to love. Celebrating more than 70 years, of bringing stars and professional athletes to the Central Coast.
“It’s the most iconic tournament on the PGA tour and what a destination, Pebble Beach, and it’s grown but it’s stayed the same it started out as Bing Crosby’s Clam Bake where Bing brought his buddies from Hollywood to play with their friends from the PGA tour and we’ve maintained that, Clint Eastwood believes in that philosophy as well,” says Steve John the Pro-Am Tournament Director with the Monterey Peninsula Foundation.
Even after the name change in 1985 Clint Eastwood saying the event still kept the same feel, “it still has the same sprit, in fact I’m playing in a foursome with Harry Crosby and they’re both, he and Nathaniel are actively involved in the tournament so I think it has the exact same feel it always had.”
With each year, organizations continue to up their game when it comes to big events.
The Salinas airshow included, “the airshow is known throughout North America as one of the best community based airshows and have received all types of awards and that’s why we continue to get acts such as the Navy Blue Angels,” says Executive Director Harry Wardwell.
This year the Blue Angels will be back at the Airshow, Wardwell says the community, family oriented event is something that can bring everyone together and gives childrent the opportunity to see planes up close.
Taking it further back, the California Rodeo Salinas is celebrating it’s 109th anniversary this year.
Sponsorship Coordinator, Barbara Balentine, says she’s seen the event grow each year, “when I came to work here 36 years ago, it was just a 4 day event we did not have all the facilities around that we’ve built since then, and we are really proud of the fact that we are the largest rodeo in California and we are also in the top 15 for the Nationally for the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association.”
She says one of the biggest milestones was getting the grand stands built along with lights in the arena so they can now hold events at night.
One thing all of the organizors I spoke with had in common, their favorite part about the events is being able to give back to the community.
Balentine says, “we are so blessed that each year we’re giving close to 500,000 back to local charities and nonprofits.”
“All the efforts and the time that it takes to prepare for this is all worth while when you see the faces of the people receiving the grants it’s life changing for them,” says John.
Wardwell agreeing, “it brings the community together and were proud that over 8 million dollars has been raised for local charities since our inception.”
If golfing, the Rodeo or Airplanes aren’t for you; you can take a jog down the coast at the Big Sur Marathon or Wharf to Wharf race in Santa Cruz.
Or check out the amazing Surf at Mavericks, something KION has been able to see up close.
Of course, there’s also car week. Bringing some of the best cars around the World to one central location.
But, if you’re a food person, you can always take a lap around the legendary Gilroy Garlic Festival.
These are just a handful of the dozens of events the Central Coast has to offer that we’ve covered over the past 50 years. We look forward to what the next 50 has to bring.
