The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo kicked off last night and it was packed with good competition, however, their event started with their Golden Circle of Champions banquet dinner that brings awareness to childhood cancer.
Last night, 25 children and their families were invited to the first performance of the rodeo. Each child received a buckle, a hat and they got to sit in a special section at the rodeo called the Golden Section. The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo has donated more $125,000 to local families that have been effected by childhood cancer while their Queen Pageant has raised over $15 million.
The Golden Circle of Champions event now extends from Santa Maria Elks Rodeo to the National Finals Rodeo. Whenever contestants wear gold or have gold bandanas, it is to bring awareness to those families and children that have put up a fight against childhood cancer.
The Santa Maria Elks Rodeo told our very own Amy Wilson that they are small but mighty and they put on an extraordinary event.