The Saddle Horse Show Parade tradition lives on

It is that time of year again! This is the week that our Western roots come out and we tromp around wearing cowboy boots and maybe try out a cowboy hat for the summer weather. 

Thursday, June 23 at 6 p.m. is the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show Parade, which this year has a theme of “Boots, Broncs and Bandannas.”

The parade route in Hollister goes from Palmtag Drive down San Benito Street, then turning off San Benito onto Fifth Street.

The parade has been an event to look forward to for more than 80 years.  We are sharing a photo of another day at the Saddle Horse Show Parade, way back in time. This is before the smartphone, the cell phone and the television became more interesting to many of us than reality itself.

The float is traveling down San Benito Street in front of the old J.C. Penney’s Building at Fourth and San Benito Streets. Today, it is a single-story building across Fourth Street from the 400 Block, the grassy area currently under discussion for development. 

The three women on the float were Mary Etcheverry, in the aluminum covered sleigh, with Leila McMahon and Virginia Gunnels. We had trouble deciphering what the theme was but the float says “Greetings” on the front. It is believed the photo was taken on July 4, 1947. It’s hard to miss the abundance of hats, people dangling from fire escapes and the large, excited crowd.

The event-filled Horse Show and Rodeo week traditionally starts with this classic parade. This evening extravaganza is still made up of cars, horses, and marching bands filling old San Benito Street in downtown Hollister. Everyone is welcome to the family-friendly parade that celebrates our county’s history and the historic charm of downtown Hollister.

These photos came to BenitoLink just by chance when executive director/reporter Leslie David spotted them sitting on the desk of Nino Real Estate agent Jason Noble, the above-pictured Mary Etcheverry’s son. Fortunately, most of the photos were well identified, though there is always room for human error. If we have any facts wrong, or you have something to add, please feel free to write a few words in the comments section below this story. Special thanks to Jason Noble for the wonderful photo of downtown Hollister in full bloom. 

The San Benito County Saddle Horse Show Parade (Thursday) is organized by the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce. See the Parade Schedule.

To learn about this weekend’s (Friday through Sunday) events go to  San Benito County Horse Show and Rodeo Schedule.