Maxwell rodeo rides in Saturday

The day in May where thousands converge on the small Colusa County town of Maxwell is Saturday, and organizers say they’re “riding fine” to rope in another successful event.

In fact, “Ridin’ fine in 09” is the theme for the 79th annual event, which includes a parade, art show, car show, bench press competition and other games that test strength, agility and speed.

“The Maxwell rodeo is the longest running event in the county,” said car show organizer Randy Wilson. “It’s even older than the Colusa County Fair.”

This year’s activities kick off at 8 a.m. with the Bull Run – a 5K-10K run through town – followed by the parade at 9:45.

Maxwell’s Rooster Smith will ride through town as the grand marshal.

Parade entries include riding groups, bands, a variety of floats by area businesses and organizations and a preview of some of the many cars that will be featured in the car show.

“I always try to get a couple of famous cars each year,” Wilson said.

The car show was added to the day’s line up about 12 years ago and generally features about 175 antique and classic cars. This year, a 1929 Woody that has been featured in a national magazine will be one of the entries. 

Wilson said there is no entry fee for the car show and day of show entries will be accepted. The car show is held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the high school football field, 515 Oak St. Awards will be given at 2:30 p.m.

The rodeo gets under way at 1 p.m. with the grand entry of Maxwell Rodeo Queen Amy Leach, Rodeo Chairman Cody Alvarnaz and court Kristine Martin, Austin Alvernaz, Tori Jones and Sarena Robertson.

Events include cow and calf riding, team roping and penning, cow hide races and other rodeo events.

The bench press competition will be held at 1 p.m. The tough competition brings weightlifters from Colusa Glenn, Sutter and Tehama counties to raise money for the Sonny Soto Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is in memory of Soto, the first Maxwell Rodeo bench press champion, who died in 2006 serving the country overseas. 

Other games and events include radical racers (motorized go carts), basketball toss, frog jumping contest. There will be several vender booths. Food available, including traditional rodeo barbecue. The chuckwagon lunch will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“This is the last junior free rodeo left in California, and one of only a few left in the U.S.,” Wilson said. “It draws a lot of people to our community.”