The Maxwell High School recently held its 85th rodeo with the theme of “Saddle Up It’s Time to Ride Maxwell Rodeo 85”.  It is much more than a rodeo as it includes a parade, bull run, horse show, car show, bench press contest, art show, and frog derby.  This event is coordinated by the high school students with great support of the community.

I attended my first Maxwell High School Rodeo before I was in elementary school and remember going many times with my parents.  I hadn’t been to the event for many years and returned this year.  It was a great day, as I got to visit with many friends, attend the parade, eat at the Chuckwagon barbeque, and check out the activities.

I was so impressed with the youth, ranging from toddlers to high school students that participated in all the events. My favorite to watch was the mystery scramble in which they tried to catch goats and chickens released in the arena.  They all had a rooting section of parents, grandparents and friends.

The support and importance of agriculture is seen in the donation section of the program.  The list is a who’s who of agribusinesses and farmers in the area.  The importance of agriculture was reinforced by the sound of airplanes working over area rice fields and the high school grounds backup to rice fields. Those not wearing a cowboy hat were wearing a cap advertizing an agriculture business or college.

The Maxwell High School Rodeo is just one of the many community events, including county fairs, that take place throughout the year in the Sacramento Valley.  The people are great, food is good and they’re fun.  I highly suggest you try attending some of them.

As I left to head home, I looked at the Maxwell sign at the entrance of town and hoped it in the foreseeable future will read “Maxwell, Gateway to the Sites Reservoir”.