Ready your adventurous spirit and step into history as Truckee’s first Charreada comes to town.
A charreada is a Mexican-style rodeo, featuring a number of different events, from elaborate horseback riding to lassoing young mares and bulls and tying them by their feet, with many events pushing the envelope for danger.
Charreadas honor the heritage and tradition of the Mexican cowboy, or charro. While the charreada shares this element with the typical American rodeo, it is in fact a fairly distinct event. In an American rodeo, competitors race against the clock, so the emphasis is on speed in any given event. On the other hand, in a Mexican charreada, the excellent style and skills of the rider or roper are emphasized, and only one event is timed. Plus, part of the beauty of the charreada are ornate costumes, throwbacks to clothing worn in 19th century Mexico.
In the end though, rodeos are a celebration of the cowboy (and cowgirl/charra) and their indomitable spirits. ‘History indicates that the rodeo in the United States is an evolution of the Charreada,’ said Andres Baeza, sponsor and organizer of the upcoming Truckee event.
The rodeo is just part of the fun in this new community celebration, on July 3 and 5. It is slated to be a collection of ‘traditional and contemporary Mexican celebrations’ for all nationalities, Baeza said.
In addition to the roping, bull riding and colorful Charras, the Charreada will host the contemporary music of the popular Banda Ausente and plenty of ‘tacos, cerveza and tequila,’ Baeza said. The entire July 5 event is scheduled from 4 to 10 p.m. Tickets prices for adults are $35 pre-sale and $40 at the gate. Youth ages 7 to 14 are $20 (anytime) and children 6 and under are free. Tickets go on sale June 15 at the following Truckee business locations: American Mail Center, Casa Baeza and Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce.
To get in the mood for the Charreada, Baeza will host his annual Street Party on July 3 at the Casa Baeza restaurant, located at 10004 Bridge Street, from 4 p.m. to midnight. Baeza promises traditional mariachi musicians, Carne Asada Ceviche Tostadas and other authentic food and drinks.
Beneficiaries for all the festivities include the Assumption Catholic Church, Project Grad and The Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation. Sponsors to date include the American Mail Center, Casa Baeza and Capitol Coors. Baeza encourages everyone to come enjoy Mexican traditions, music, food and family fun in Truckee this July.
For information, contact the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce at 530-587-2757 or the American Mail Center at 530-582-1746.
The Truckee Charreada
The afternoon program for the charreada starts at 4 p.m. in Truckee’s McIver Arena on July 5 and will showcase Rodeo-style events that date back to the early 1900s. To date, this year’s schedule includes the following.
Men’s Events:
Cala de Caballo (Test of the horse): The charro puts his horse through a variety of maneuvers to show his ability and the horse’s training. Controlled slide, left and right half, full, and triple turns, dismount and mount, and reverse walk are performed.
El Paso de la Muerte (The pass of death): Riding bareback with reins, the charro attempts to leap from his own horse to the bare back of a wild horse to ride it until it stops bucking. During this event, three other mounted charros chase a wild mare around the ring. If the charro falls, it can be a very dangerous for all involved.
Women’s Events:
Escaramuza (Skirmish): Since the 1950s, this extraordinary performance on horseback has brought elegance and grace to the Charreada. Eight to 12 women ride in their traditional and very colorful Adelita dresses and exhibit a variety of precision riding techniques. The event is filled with tradition that includes years of training and can be recognized as a sport or art.
