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The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association has canceled two of its Get-Together car shows originally scheduled for 2021 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, an announcement that came days after officials confirmed the 2021 Livermore Rodeo would be called off amid the pandemic.
The Goodguys 34th West Coast Nationals and its 31st Autumn Get-Together remain on the schedule for later in the year in Pleasanton, late August and early November, respectively.
Andrew Ebel, chief operating officer at Goodguys, said the early-year cancellations in Pleasanton and other venues were primarily the result of health officials using the association’s typical event sites for large-scale COVID-19 vaccination centers.
“While we faced many disheartening cancellations in 2020, this is the first that we can be optimistic about,” Ebel said in a statement Wednesday. “Being displaced by local vaccination efforts only serves to accelerate the pace of our return to a healthy community and events without restrictions. This news is positive for Del Mar, for Pleasanton and Goodguys.”
Goodguys, which is based in Pleasanton, is scheduled to hold its first event of 2021, the LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals, next month in Fort Worth, Texas.
But the 38th All American Get-Together and 27th Summer Get-Together, both of which were on the docket in Pleasanton in the first half of the year, have been canceled. All vehicle registrations and ticket purchases for those events will be automatically transferred to the Autumn Get-Together set for Nov. 13-14 at the fairgrounds, according to Ebel.
The entire Goodguys slate in Pleasanton was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 and associated health restrictions.
Meanwhile, down the road in Livermore, the stockmen’s association announced earlier this month that the annual Livermore Rodeo was being called off for the second year in a row due to the pandemic.
“I am sure this is disappointing news to you, as it is disappointing for me to share,” Sheila Fagliano, president of the Livermore Stockmen Rodeo Association, said in a statement on the group’s website.
“The decision to cancel this year’s event was thoroughly discussed and voted on by your elected Board of Directors. This decision was based on the COVID-19 pandemic currently impacting the world,” Fagliano continued, adding:
“Every news channel, internet article, and media print has completely informed all of us regarding the dangers of this pandemic. Social distancing, isolation, hand washing, and preventing large gatherings have been the most advised preventative method available to overcome this virus. Additionally, the Alameda County Health Order prevents gatherings for sporting events.”
The association is beginning preparations toward bringing back the Livermore Rodeo in 2022, even scheduling the event date already for June 11-12, 2022, “with the intent and motivation to make things bigger and better,” according to Fagliano.
In the meantime, she said, the group’s board is also “working hard to develop another western event that can be safely conducted and enjoyed while maintaining compliance with the health order. As you can imagine, this is an active and moving target.”
Rodeo has had its day, and now belongs in the dustbin of history.
Be aware that EVERY animal welfare organization in North America condemns
rodeo due to its inherent cruelty. Animal injuries and deaths are
commonplace, veterinary care rare. The PRCA has required on-site vets only
since 1996, after FIVE animals were killed at the 1995 California Rodeo in
Salinas.
Most of rodeo is bogus from the git-go. REAL working cowboys/girls never
routinely rode bulls, or wrestled steers, or rode bareback, or barrel
raced, or practiced calf roping as a timed event. And they certainly did
not put flank straps on the animals, or work them over with painful
“hotshots,” kicks and slaps in the holding chutes. Some “sport”! Indeed,
rodeo is not a “sport” at all. It’s a macho exercise in domination.
The United Kingdom banned rodeos back in 1934. Can the U.S. be far behind?
Lest we forget, COVID-19 was HUMAN-caused, a direct result of our gross
mistreatment and abuse of animals, both wild and domestic. There are
connections to be made here, folks. Are we up to the task?
SUGGESTION: Cancel the rodeo permanently and convert the grounds into a Farm Animal Sanctuary and Education Center for Bay Area school children. Rowell Ranch Rodeo, too.
To Whom It May Concern:
I think the rodeo should be permanently cancelled. Its cruel to the animals. While it may appeal to some depraved members of our society; most people find it offensive when they see what the animals are subjected to.