Valley Center Stampede Rodeo & Memorial Festival

The Valley Center Stampede Rodeo & Memorial Festival is held annually in the rural town of Valley Center, CA over the Memorial Day weekend. Our quaint community is nestled in the mountains of North San Diego County and still exemplifies many aspects of America’s traditional western and agricultural lifestyles.

Since 2002, the Valley Center Stampede Rodeo has provided a family-friendly rodeo as part of the annual week-long western heritage celebration that began in 1950. In 2015, we created the Memorial Festival to pay tribute to our nation’s veterans. The Valley Center Stampede Rodeo & Memorial Festival provides the ultimate venue for our town and surrounding communities to come together and participate in America’s greatest showcase of patriotism and western heritage…rodeo!

In 2017, the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) sanctioned the Valley Center Stampede Rodeo, making it the first-ever professional rodeo in Valley Center.

The Valley Center Stampede Rodeo committee takes great pride in showcasing local youth through our Mutton Bustin’ event, Junior Barrel Racing, and a Calf Scramble during intermission that is open to children in attendance free of charge. In support of our stated mission, rodeo proceeds are donated to local youth organizations, as well as organizations that promote the morale of our local military.

Valley Center Stampede Rodeo, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization – there are no paid positions. As such, we truly appreciate our dedicated volunteers and we welcome new volunteers (from high school age on up) each year. If you are interested in joining our efforts to put on the 2024 Valley Center Stampede Rodeo & Memorial Festival, please send us a message and we’ll put you in touch with the appropriate volunteer coordinator.