Hundreds line the streets for stampede

Katrina Soliz/The Madera Tribune

The Chowchilla community looks on as the annual Western Stampede commences Friday. Hundreds turned out for the cattle drive along Robertson Boulevard. The event, which spans through the heart of downtown Chowchilla, began in 1958.

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Madera County is home to the only authentic cattle stampede in the state and hundreds came out for the historic event that kicked off the 69th annual Chowchilla Western Stampede with fanfare, rodeo royalty and plenty of cowboy spirit. 

This tradition, which went down Richardson Boulevard on Friday, began in 1958. It brings local ranchers and their herds through the heart of downtown Chowchilla, delighting hundreds of spectators that lined the street for a front row seat to a tradition unlike any other. 

The free event is considered one of only two authentic cattle drives in the nation. Fort Worth, Texas, hosts the only other one.