2023 Mountain Festival PRCA Rodeo

Mountain Festival brings the quiet little town of Tehachapi into a full bloom of family fun time. From festival activities in the park to the flag waving, cheering crowds lining the parade route, Mountain Festival is sure to please one and all. One of the many highlights of Mountain Festival is the two-day PRCA rodeo, hosted by the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association.

Celebrating 60 years of providing our community and the surrounding communities of Kern County, TMRA is proud to announce our 2023 Mountain Festival PRCA Rodeo will be held on Friday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. and new this year Sunday, Aug. 20 at 1 p.m. at the Tehachapi Event Center and Rodeo Grounds at 415 N. Dennison Rd. Sunday at 11 a.m. will host Cowboy Church, with special guests, The Bear Mountain Boys. Pastor Chris Frost from Mountain Bible Church will be giving the sermon.

A piece of American history, the modern sport of rodeo can be traced back to the 1700s when cowboys from local ranches gathered together to show their roping and riding skills. The duties on these early ranches included branding, roping, horse breaking, riding and much more. These ranch chores have evolved directly into today's rodeo events of tie-down roping, team roping and bronc riding. In a tribute to this American history, our rodeo will begin with a fan favorite of ranch bronc riding with cowboys from our local ranches.

Cowboys from across the country will come to Tehachapi to compete in events like bronc riding, calf tying, team roping and bull riding. Providing our specialty entertainment this year is the one and only Madison McDonald, trick rider extraordinaire. Nate Reed will be our man in the barrel. We will also have pre-show entertainment provided by our own local Wild Wind Riders Drill Team, a group of local youths that have spent numerous hours practicing their skills. We will also have mutton bustin. During a break in the performance our own Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Jr. Rodeo kids will be awarded their saddles and buckles that they have won during our junior rodeo season.

Bringing us our stock again is the Four Star Rodeo Company out of Cottonwood, California. They will be providing world-class rough stock that will be bucking hard and kicking high to assure plenty of rodeo excitement. This rodeo stock is nationally known and awarded as some of the best in the business. Talented bullfighters and pick-up men, will be in the arena to keep our cowboys safe.

The gates open two hours early so our rodeo fans can pick a seat on our wonderful arena bleachers where every spot affords our viewers with great rodeo action. Come early to browse our newly enlarged "vendor's row" where our fans can get their rodeo "bling" on. Items from jeans to jewelry and for horse to house will be available, along with food and drink for all ages. Don't forget the popular dollar dig for kids 8 and under, with paid admission, will happen during each performance.

The Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association is committed to preserving and promoting the "Western Way of Life" and producing quality family rodeo entertainment at affordable prices. TMRA is a nonprofit organization that strives to promote western values and goals fitting of the true American icon, The Cowboy. They support the community and other nonprofit organizations in our area through the staging of multiple events throughout the year, including trail rides, the "Benz Bad Bulls Tour," and several Junior Rodeos. TMRA is proud of the return to our roots of Junior Rodeo and has had a very successful season so far, seeing as many as 100 cowboy kids participate at the rodeos. The association believes that the Junior Rodeo program builds a strong foundation of character, discipline and self esteem in our "CowKids." The Tehachapi Rodeo began as a youth rodeo and evolved into an adult amateur rodeo. In 1985, the rodeo joined the ranks of what now includes over 900 rodeos in 48 states and four Canadian Provinces as a pro rodeo, sanctioned by the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association), and is celebrating its 27th year as a Ram Truck sponsored Rodeo.

Our association boasts a small group of truly committed volunteers who spent countless hours to create these two spectacular days of rodeo excitement. We are motivated by a deep love for the community, the sport of professional rodeo, our desire to showcase true Western Americana celebrating the "Western Way of Life."

Pre-sale tickets can be purchased for a $3 discount prior to the day of the rodeo at our local ticket outlets in Tehachapi: Albertsons, Hemme Hay in Tehachapi, Miramar Reality on Tucker and Cowgirls and Angels as well as the Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce. The Emporium Western Store in Bakersfield and the Boot Barn in both Bakersfield and Lancaster will also have our rodeo tickets for sale. The price of pre-sale tickets will be Adults $17, with a special admission price of $14 for Seniors 60+, past and active military personal with a military id and children ages 3-10. Children under the age of 3 are admitted free with a paid adult, but must sit on a lap. Parking will be $10 (cash) and is a fundraiser for the local youth groups. You can purchase tickets at the gate on the day of the event or online at http://www.tehachapiprorodeo.com. As our internet service at rodeo grounds is very week, please plan on bringing cash for purchases. We do accept Venmo.

For more information regarding the great sport of rodeo visit our website at http://www.tehachapiprorodeo.com or follow us on our Facebook and Instagram at Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association.

About this year's poster artist (see ad on page 16 to see her artwork): Colleen Farrell is a local artist that has been living in Tehachapi for more than 15 years. Her art spans across many mediums, to include ceramics, painting, drawing and more. She uses ceramics to create sculptural objects as well as functional ware. While her paintings are an exploration into color, shape and self expression. She has a passion for education in the arts, having taught for over 15 years, at The Art Studio, in public schools and privately in her Tehachapi home. Colleen has owned multiple art business, such as The Art Studio, Canvas and Merlot, Splat Boxes, Colleen Farrell Gallery, and A Pottery Studio. Colleen along with her students, have been winners of many prestigious art awards.