It’s the second week of April and you’re the reporter in a small town crowned as “Cowboy Capital of the World,” how do you not write about Rodeo Week?

Personally, I don’t know. But I will admit to kicking around varying other ideas as I struggled with this one. Honestly, what could be left for me to say about Rodeo Week? Without looking back, I’m pretty certain, more years than not I’ve shared my thoughts and feelings on the week.

I’ve covered the topic of saddle up and enjoy or hitch your wagon and get out of town … and yes, I’ve lived in both camps. This week is not for all, but all are both welcomed and encouraged to experience a bit of our western heritage and something which does make Oakdale unique by California standard and stereotypes.

Sometimes I wonder what my life would have looked like had I not fallen in love with a bareback rider early on in college. Our worlds could not have been more different. I had dreams and aspirations of making a life for myself in New York, while he spoke of Grand Tetons, dirt arenas and Big Sky Country.

I knew nothing about rodeo, ranching or the western way of life and he knew nothing about city life, Vitamin Sea or carpool lanes. Yet somehow the City mouse and Country mouse complemented one another and they each learned.

That cowboy was from Wyoming, a land which was a million miles away for this geographically challenged California girl. Back in those days we used to say, if it’s not on the West Coast or East Coast it doesn’t matter. Oh, how wise I thought I was.

As our lives meandered throughout the state, it is one hundred percent because of that cowboy that this beach girl ended up here. Now if being completely honest, my parents had already migrated to the valley. They were part of the appeal as we began deciding where we would finally settle to start a family.

As soon as that cowboy’s dad shared, he believed Oakdale is where the Camarillos were from, he was sold. Growing up, he and his two brothers had read books on roping from the Camarillos. Simply put, he was starstruck.

While that cowboy no longer calls 95361 home, here I sit and grateful for it. Rodeo Week for me is so many things. It’s a true old home week, as everyone comes out for one thing or another to celebrate in their own way.

As years have passed on, I now find myself sitting alongside parents turned grandparents as we wave at their little ones in the parade. “Where did the time go?” now seems to be the question of the day, as we reflect on their adult kids and their days in the parade. Such a wholesome event that’s truly not lost on me.

While I know there’s a group of you that ‘get out of Dodge’ during the week, I hope at minimum you take a moment to reflect and appreciate that we live in a community that quite literally hosts a party each and every year circled around the cowboy way. As a ‘city’ girl, I have loved learning of the western way of life and how much it impacts us all each and every day.

My first true eye opener was visiting my future in-laws for the first time during ‘calving season.’ My father-in-law was a cattle rancher and for the first five days of that visit I only saw him for a meal or sleeping in his recliner. That was my first peek into how underappreciated ranchers and farmers truly are. I had no clue.

Oh yes, I know the week is centered around rodeo. But I promise you, if you learn about rodeo you’ll learn about western heritage. It all stems from something and what I love most is it all circles around community.

So it’s time to dust off my hat, fluff up my skirt and reach for my boots as the party gets started. I’ll do my best to hug as many as I can circling through two of the numerous Cowgirl Luncheons. Starting of course with the OG luncheon hosted by the Cowboy Museum and honoring Ms. Kay Martinelli. The draw of that event is what keeps our Cowboy Museum going and I’m grateful for that.

This year I’ll join some friends at Ryderz for their luncheon event which will raise funds for the Breast Cancer Society. It’s nice to see how many venues have started the luncheon events for cowgirls and even better the ones who host it for a cause. That, after all, is the spirit in which it was started so it’s nice to see that grow.

In short, there’s a little something for everybody this week. Be it the parade, a luncheon, the queen coronation or the actual event – the rodeo. If none of these suit your fancy, I encourage you to visit the Cowboy Museum in the heart of Oakdale – you might be fascinated to learn there’s a lot more to this cow town than meets the eye.

So, here we go: the horse trailers are making their way through town, spurs can be found clanking down F Street and Bachi has officially put up the panels at H-B … cheers to Rodeo Week.

Teresa Hammond is a staff reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Riverbank News and The Escalon Times. She may be reached at thammond@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 209-847-3021.