Colmo Parade 2012
CLICK HERE for 2011 Colmo Parade Results
The Colmo del Rodeo Parade was met with overwhelming fanfare in July 2010 and was well attended again in 2011. Residents stake claim to their spots in Old Town Salinas early in the day, putting out folding chairs and blankets on the curbs, insuring a great vantage point so they won't miss any of the entries as they cruise down Main Street in all their glory. Once again this year, the Kiddie Kapers Parade will precede the Colmo del Rodeo Parade on Saturday July 14th. As soon as the parades ended people were asking, "Will the Colmo be back next year?" After much thought and consideration, the Rodeo has decided that on July 14, 2012, the 82nd annual Kiddie Kapers Parade will take place at 6:30pm along with the much-loved Colmo Parade starting at 8pm.
As the California Rodeo was first produced in 1911, so was the first informal night parade. The parade was organized by local townsfolk and included decorated automobiles that would drive down Main St. in Salinas to wrap up Big Week festivities. Later, in 1913, the parade was formalized. After the 1985 Big Week, the Colmo was eliminated from Rodeo activities, though a few years later in 1987 it was brought back and was a part of the Saturday horse parade. The Colmo del Rodeo Parade was reinstated in 2010 as part of the centennial anniversary celebration of the California Rodeo Salinas and will return in 2011.
Long-time Rodeo volunteer Mikel Ann Miller will once again head up the committee for the Colmo Parade along with professional parade coordinator Ray Pulver of Upbeat Parades. There is an application and approval process that each group must go through in order to participate with a float or a group in the Colmo Parade.
Apply to have your float in the parade HERE
