This parade was first staged in 1949 as the “Shasta County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo Parade.” The parade began life with almost 200 entries. Over the years the parade has grown to as high as 250 entries, coming from all over the north state. The original parade had 32 categories. Today’s entrants compete in 52 different classes with prize and trophy awards. Rodeo parades, a regular feature of western rodeos, showcased many of the professional cowboys that would ride in the rodeo plus the typical mix of marching bands, floats, and majorettes. The first Redding Rodeo Parade upheld these traditions, including having a western rodeo, movie, or other star as the parade Grand Marshal. Today the parade tradition continues. Many entrants are made up of mostly non-professional local riders and the Grand Marshall is an honor conferred on a local citizen or citizens.