A favorite community event is on the comeback trail. The San Benito County Saddle Horse Show Board of Directors has announced plans for the parade to return after this year's hiatus. The parade traditionally occurs the week before the horse show in June. This year's event is not taking place after the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau announced it would no longer host it.

Upbeat Parade Productions, which helps the Hollister Downtown Association with the Lights on Parade, has been brought in for logistics. The parade will be held in the late morning on the Saturday before the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo.

“We hope this change will make it easier for local people, and especially families, to attend,” said Rebecca Wolf, who is with the Saddle Horse Show Board. The group is planning to have more horse entries, wagons and include more entries related to San Benito County’s vaquero heritage.

Past participants are invited to stay involved and take part in the planning for next year. As plans progress, the parade group intends to keep the community informed of planning meetings.

“San Benito County has a high commuter population and many haven't had a chance to learn about our early county history,” Wolf said. “We want everyone to be able to learn about and get involved in our annual rodeo, which started back in 1929. We hope the community will get in the spirit of the rodeo and come out and enjoy our three day show that happens the following week.”

To take part in the planning for the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo Parade, email: [email protected].