Apr 3, 2008 7:18 pm US/Pacific
Annual Rodeo Stampede Heads To SF Cow Palace
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) ―
The Grand National Rodeo returns to San Francisco's Cow Palace this weekend. Motorists who didn't "steer" clear of Geneva Avenue on Thursday found themselves caught up in the annual cattle drive.
More than 100 head of cattle paraded down the avenue toward the Cow Palace, heralding the opening of the 2008 Grand National Rodeo, Horse and Stock Show.
For a half-mile or so, two dozen wranglers on horseback shouted out orders as the cattle made their way to the Cow Palace.
The 63rd annual rodeo is integral to Cow Palace history.
According to the Cow Palace Web site, the 1915 Pan-Pacific International Exposition of livestock in San Francisco drew such large crowds that developers decided it would be a good idea to create a permanent arena for such an event.
In 1931 money was allocated to purchase a site, however as the depression of the 1930s worsened public resistance to the project grew.
"Why, when people are starving, should money be spent on a "palace for cows?" asked a local newspaper. According to the Cow Palace, a headline writer turned this lamentation into the building's now famous name.
The rodeo will be at the Cow Palace from April 4-12.
Rodeo tickets are available through the Cow Palace box office or through Ticketmaster.
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