Concerns over 2020 California Rodeo Salinas as pandemic continues

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) A question on many minds is, will the California Rodeo Salinas still happen this year?

Many large events on the Central Coast have been rescheduled or cancelled already because of the shelter-in-place orders.

With the event still a few months out, though, California Rodeo Salinas Marketing Manager Mandy Linquist said the rodeo and July events are still scheduled at this point.

A committee is meeting weekly to discuss options for the event that's set for July 16-19, 2020.

“We are awaiting further directives from health officials and will continue to follow any guidelines issued to keep everyone safe, but our hope is that July brings the opportunity for people to gather and celebrate once again,” Linquist said.

The Rodeo is still a few months away, but the committee has decided to cancel and postpone other big events, like the Monster Jam.

New direction from Governor Gavin Newsom indicates mass gatherings this summer may not be an option at all.

“The prospect of large gatherings is negligible at best until we get to herd immunity and we get a vaccine,” Newsom said.

At a news conference Tuesday, he says things could change if more testing or vaccines become available but large events in June, July and August are unlikely.

If the Rodeo gets cancelled, the city would take a significant economic hit.

“It is a very large event, but it also generates a tremendous amount of money for this community,” Salinas Mayor Joe Gunter said. He added that that the money this event brings in "really do help some businesses that struggle year round and this year is going to be tougher.”

Mayor Gunter estimates it brings about $3 million into the community.

Over 50,000 fans come to the Salinas area for the annual rodeo.

 Country singer Toby Keith, known for hits like “Red Solo Cup” and “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” is scheduled to headline a concert at the Rodeo grounds around the same time.

While Gunter remains hopeful the situation will improve, he said they will not have an event that affects the safety and health of the community.

In a statement, the California Rodeo Salinas said the “safety and well-being of our fans, volunteers, contestants, sponsors and everyone involved in the events is of the utmost importance to us.”

They will continue to review information and discuss options.