For Immediate Release Wendy Bozigian October 15, 2013 Marketing Manager 661-948-6060 ext.132 RAM PRCA California Circuit Finals Rodeo and California Heritage Days comes to the A. V. Fairgrounds Top twelve contestants in California to compete in seven rodeo events Lancaster, CA. October 15, 2013— The RAM PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) California Circuit Finals Rodeo Committee and the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds today previewed the upcoming RAM PRCA California Circuit Finals Rodeo that runs October 18-20. The Rodeo will be conducted in conjunction with the California Heritage Days events that includes a Kansas City BBQ Cook-off/tasting, great food, shopping and more for attendees. The rodeo will showcase the competitive skills of the top twelve contestants in the California Circuit for all seven rodeo events (bareback riding, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping and barrel racing). "This year we are very excited to be working closely with our two partners, the Antelope Valley Fair and City of Lancaster to bring back the RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo. The top 12 contestants in each rodeo event drawn from the results of approximately 40 California rodeos will be here to perform as well as to compete for over $100,000. Again this year, the best of announcing will be provided by Don Jesser and Kelly Kenney. We are also proud to announce daily performances of the legendary horseman and rope artist, Tomas Garcilazo, last year’s Specialty Act of the Year award winner from the National Finals Rodeo sponsored by our friends at Vallarta Supermarkets. Returning by popular demand, our barrel man during the bull riding and our clown for added laughs will be Donnie Landis. Don’t miss the best of rodeo action right here in Lancaster!" said Johnny Zamrzla, Committee Chairman of the PRCA California Circuit Finals Rodeo 2013. Ron Emard, President of the Antelope Valley Fair Association Board of Directors added, “As a community Fairgrounds, we strive to celebrate the diversity that is part of our history and we are honored to partner with such an important PRCA Circuit Rodeo competition like this. We encourage everyone to come out for the 3-day rodeo to see the best of the best compete and in addition to marveling at Tomas Garcilazo, come see the stunning Andalusian horse performance and enter the Homemade Salsa contest on Sunday, Vaquero Day. We'll have free line dancing lessons for the Big kids on (Fri./Sat. nights) before the Rodeo, a Petting zoo and Pony rides on Saturday and Sunday for the little kids and daily go-kart rides, great food and shopping for kids of all ages!" -MORE- 1 The festivities kick-off on Friday, October 18, Patriotic Day. The gates open at 5pm and the rodeo will begin at 7:30 p.m. with a salute to the 5 branches of military. Saturday, October 19th is “Ride for the Pink” day.” The Gates open at 5pm and attendees are encouraged to get to their seats early Saturday night for a special Ride for the Pink opening. Ride for the Pink is an organization dedicated to raising money for breast cancer research, awareness and treatment. Guests can be a part of the nights theme by wearing "Pink" in honor of those who have lost their battle, who are survivors, who are currently fighting cancer and in support of finding the cure for Breast Cancer. The Rodeo will begin at 7:30 p.m. On Friday and Saturday only, free line dancing lessons with KTPI Radio station's DJ Cowboy James will be demonstrated at 5pm in the Corona Cantina before the Rodeo. Those who have never line danced before or are looking to brush up on their dancing skills are encouraged to come "early and stay late" on both evenings to dance the night away with Jacob Nelson and the Tone Wranglers, who will perform live at the Van Dam Barn Dance after the Rodeo. For information, go to www.jacobnelson.com. Free photos on the Rodeo Red Carpet will also be available as part of the “Rodeo After Dark” celebration on both nights. Sunday, October 20 is Vaquero Day. Gates open at 12:00 noon and the rodeo will begin at 3 p.m. The community is encouraged to enter the 3rd Annual Homemade Salsa Contest. Contestants bring ONE (1) quart of prepared, fresh salsa between 12:00 noon and 1pm to the main gate of the fairgrounds (limit ONE (1) per person) and will receive TWO (2), FREE general admission tickets (includes Rodeo). Salsa will be judged (American System of Judging) in the following categories: Spicy red, Salsa Verde, Mild- Pico De Gallo and Mango or other fruit. The winning entries will be announced at an awards ceremony at 2:00pm in the Tiki Bar. No pre-registration necessary. Rules at avfair.com. Also on Sunday, October 20th, Jesse Cacho of the equestrian group, “Asociacion Ecuestre Amigos del Valle” will also be a part of Vaquero Day Sunday, with his beautiful and rare Andalusian horses (only 20,000 in the world). Andalusian horses are easily identified by their showy, rhythmic walk and high stepping trot some people describe as “dancing”. Hispanic music performances are scheduled in the Corona Cantina featuring: Mariachi Perla Jalisciense at 2pm and Banda Arkangel R15 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Also scheduled to appear and sign autographs will be Miss Rodeo California - Miss Dakota Skellenger from Bakersfield, California. Among her other duties, one of the responsibilities as Miss Rodeo California is to act as a symbol of the western way of life and promote the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Other grounds attractions will include daily Go Kart rides for $5.00 for riders at least 4’4” tall to ride go karts alone. If not they can ride with a paid adult (no extra charge). The Giddy Up Ranch Petting Zoo & Pony rides will also be featured on Sat. and Sun. 2 A new addition to California Heritage Days on all three days are performances by Internationally Acclaimed Horseman and Rope Artist - Tomas Garcilazo - the Charro, sponsored by Vallarta Supermarkets. Tomas, a native of Mexico City, was introduced at an early age to his family heritage and tradition of "La Charreria" which is a highly developed skill in horsemanship and roping abilities. Tomas has performed throughout Europe, Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. He has appeared on Broadway in New York and toured the U.S. with the Will Rogers Follies. He has appeared everywhere from Disney's Wild West Show in Paris, to the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show touring Holland and Germany to performances for Mexico's President along with guest performances at the U.S. White House and Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Internationally Acclaimed Horseman and Rope Artist - Tomas Garcilazo - The Charro (photo courtesy of Mike Copeman, PRCA ProRodeo). Competitors for the Kansas City BBQ Cook Off arrive on Friday night to set up and begin BBQ’ing. They will compete in 4 categories (Chicken, Ribs, Pork and Brisket) for $7,200 in cash prizes and trophies: Grand Champion: $1,000, Reserve Champion: $750, 3rd Overall: $500, 4th Overall: $250 and 5th Overall: $200. Entries will be evaluated for taste, appearance and texture by certified BBQ judges trained in how to judge world-class barbeque. The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) was formed in 1986 and has steadily grown to over 14,000 members throughout the world and nearly 300 sanctioned events across the country. The Cook Off awards will take place in the Corona Cantina on 10/19 at 7pm with some of the competitors staying through Sunday to sell 2 oz. samples of their entries! For information go to: www.kcbs.us. -MORE- 3 RAM PRCA California Circuit Finals Rodeo local Major sponsors include: Antelope Valley Hospital, Bowe Contractors, Inc., California Collision Center, Centennial Community, Gary Little Construction, H.W. Hunter Dodge, High Desert Dairy, University of Antelope Valley, Valyermo Ranch, Van Dam Farms, W.A. Thompson Distributing Coors and Western Pacific Roofing Corp. For a complete list of sponsors and rodeo information go to: cafinalsrodeo.com Visit California Finals Rodeo Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/californiafinalsrodeo RODEO & CALIFORNIA HERITAGE DAYS ADMISSION TICKETS* Admission includes Rodeo - a separate ticket is not required. Adults 12+ years old: $10, $15, $20 and $25 Youth 3-11 years old: $6 (in $10 seat section ONLY) Children 2 years and under: FREE with paid adult Purchase tickets at avfair.com *10% service charge added to each ticket price. RODEO BOXES & SEASON PASSES Box Seats* (6 seats) valid all 3 days: $360.00 Season Pass: valid all 3 days: $20, $30, $40 and $50 Call (661) 948-6060 to purchase Rodeo Boxes/Season Passes. Daily Parking: $5.00 ALL seats are reserved for this event, there is NO festival seating (first come, first seated). Children occupying seats must have a ticket. Children 2 years old and younger are Free with paid adult. Visitors are welcome to take advantage of the discounted rate at the A.V. Fairgrounds' exclusive hotel: Oxford Suites, 1651 W. Ave. K., Lancaster, CA 93534, Ph. (661) 949-3423, toll free: (800) 522-3050 or oxfordsuiteslancasterca.com. For reservations, type in the Group Code: AVFAIR for the room discount. RODEO/CALIFORNIA HERITAGE DAYS Schedule of Events Friday, October 18 – Patriotic Night 5:00pm: Gates open 5:00pm: Free Line Dancing lessons with DJ Cowboy James presented by KTPI Radio station 7:30 to 9:30 pm: Arena event – RODEO 9:30 to 12:30 am: Cantina – Van Dam Barn Dance! Dancin’ music performed by Jacob Nelson & the Tone Wranglers featuring Molly Wineland KC BBQ Cook off set up prior to 5pm and cooking begins -MORE- 4 Saturday, October 19 – Ride for the Pink