Cows stampede through Chowchilla in long-standing tradition

CHOWCHILLA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The Chowchilla Western Stampede kicked off Friday with the annual cattle drive down the center of town.

Cows walk down Robertson Boulevard, attracting hundreds of people to the sidewalks.

Among them were all of the elementary students in Chowchilla, wearing cowboy hats and boots, whose schools bussed them to see the drive.

It’s a long-standing Chowchilla tradition. Cowboys have been ‘headin’ ‘em up and movin’ ‘em out’ since 1958.

As cows paraded down the street Friday, children cheered, squealed and waved – and then it was over. 

The event is simple – the cows come and then they go. The community loves it.

“I think everybody loves to see cattle and cows. And again, it brings that inner happiness. You know, you see everybody, we’re all smiling – and we’re adults,” Chowchilla resident Elizabeth Ramirez said.

Parents and grandparents say they have been coming since they were little, and they still feel like kids when they see cows tromping down the street.

“I’m an old man and I remember as a child, and it made an impression on me. And so I’m glad that the other kids get to see that too. They’ll remember this forever,” Michael Wallace said.

Ultimately, the cattle drive is not about pomp – or really anything elaborate. 

It’s about bringing the whole community together around the shared love of seeing some cows.

Some communities build traditions around major events, and others make a major event out of a joyful tradition.