About
HISTORY
Community of Rowland Heights
Rowland Heights is not an incorporated city—it’s an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County with deep historical roots. The land was originally part of the La Puente Rancho, a 49,000-acre grant awarded in 1842 by the Mexican government to American settlers John Rowland and William Workman.
In 1851, the partners divided the land: Rowland took the 29,000 acres to the east, Workman the west. For decades, the area remained agricultural—covered in walnut, avocado, and citrus trees.
Oil & Early Industry
Oil was discovered in 1884 in the surrounding hills. For the next 40 years, the Puente Oil Company fueled Los Angeles industries, including the LA Cable Railway and a beet sugar refinery in Chino.
Growth & Transformation
The area began to change dramatically in the 1960s:
Water infrastructure was built.
Roads followed.
The 60 Freeway connected the region to the rest of Los Angeles.
Farmland gave way to housing developments, and the population exploded—from 4,500 in 1960 to about 60,000 today.
A Diverse Community Today
Today, Rowland Heights is one of the most culturally diverse communities in Southern California, known for its vibrant blend of cultures, businesses, and neighborhoods.
We are proudly part of the Los Angeles County First Supervisorial District.
The Buckboard Days Parade
What began as a small-town fundraiser in 1971 has grown into a beloved tradition in Rowland Heights. The Buckboard Days Festival was originally created by the Rowland Heights Junior Women’s Club and the Rowland Heights Woman’s Club as a 3-day community event.
At the time, Rowland Heights was a quiet, developing area with few opportunities to connect as a community. In 1972, a parade was added to the festival to foster unity and spark community spirit. It quickly became the only annual event bringing together children, adults, pets, and local businesses.
Community-Driven From the Start
Local youth groups and civic organizations have always played a vital role in the event’s success.
Long-time residents are honored each year, celebrating the rich heritage of Rowland Heights.
The parade name—Buckboard Days—pays tribute to the early settlers and the community’s Western roots.
Passing the Torch
For years, Don and Kathy Delegal organized the parade. When they prepared to move, they passed the baton to local organizations. In 2011, the Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council (RHCCC) and the Rowland Heights Chinese Association (RHCA) stepped up, led by Beth Hojnacke and Sue Ann Tai.
Since 2016, David Martinez has served as Parade Chair, keeping the tradition alive with the help of dedicated volunteers.
Support and Milestones
The parade is made possible through community donations, business sponsorships, and strong support from L.A. County Supervisors, including recent years under Supervisor Hilda Solis.
2020: Parade paused due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
2021: Community scavenger hunt held in its place.
2022: Celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the parade.
2023: Marked 51 years of community celebration and tradition.
Today’s Parade
Route: Nogales & Colima → Banida Avenue → Rowland Heights County Park
Festival: Immediately follows the parade at the park, hosted by L.A. County Parks & Recreation
The Buckboard Days Parade continues to celebrate the vibrant, diverse, and deeply connected community of Rowland Heights—year after year.
LEADERSHIP
The success of the Buckboard Days Parade & Festival is driven by a passionate team of volunteers, community leaders, and youth, working together to make this beloved Rowland Heights tradition possible. What started in 1971 as a small fundraiser has grown into a major community event—thanks to the leadership, commitment, and heart of those behind the scenes.
A Community-Led Tradition
The Parade and Festival are planned and executed each year by a dedicated Parade Committee, made up of:
Local adult volunteers
Over 150 student volunteers
Rowland Heights Park staff
Civic and community partners
From logistics and coordination to mentorship and outreach, each team member plays a vital role in bringing this large-scale event to life. It’s a true community effort—where leadership is not just about managing tasks, but inspiring others and building connections.
Mentorship in Action
One of the most powerful aspects of Buckboard Days is the way adults mentor students, teaching them the value of volunteerism, leadership, and civic pride. Students gain hands-on experience in planning, organizing, and teamwork—skills they’ll carry with them for life.
What We Stand For
The leadership behind Buckboard Days is guided by a shared set of values:
Striving for excellence in everything we do
Respecting our heritage and honoring our history
Inspiring creativity and innovation
Fostering teamwork with passion and commitment
Promoting diversity, inclusion, and volunteerism
Teaching leadership through student involvement
Operating with honesty, integrity, and purpose
Strengthening community ties and bringing people together
Leading With Purpose
Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about heart, action, and impact. At Buckboard Days, we believe everyone has the potential to lead, contribute, and create something bigger than themselves.
2023 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
David Martinez – Parade Chair
David has called Rowland Heights home since 1975, but his connection to the area began even earlier. In the mid-1960s, he spent summers here as part of a Mother’s Day Care Center Summer Camp, exploring a local ranch, riding horses, feeding chickens—even drying rattlesnake skins. “What a cool place,” he remembers thinking—and he’s been involved in the community ever since.
Over the years, David has made a lasting impact through his volunteer spirit and leadership:
Little League coach and Cub Scout leader
Videographer for the Rowland Raider All-American and Hacienda Heights Cougar football teams
Supporter of the Rowland Water Polo Team
Co-founder of Rowland’s first Adopt-A-Highway program in partnership with Southern California Edison
Organizer and participant in countless local efforts
His community roots run deep—his Boy Scout troop marched in the Buckboard Days Parade back in 1978. Today, he continues to lead by example, proudly serving as Chair of the Buckboard Days Parade for the 6th year in a row.
David’s story reflects the heart of Buckboard Days: a lifelong commitment to community, tradition, and bringing people together.
Joel Wynne – Vice Chair
Joel Wynne is a dedicated member of the Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council (RHCCC) and currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Buckboard Days Parade Committee. Having been a part of the Rowland Heights community for many years, Joel has seen firsthand the passion and effort that goes into making the Buckboard Days Parade a cherished tradition.
Joel regularly attends RHCCC meetings, where he contributes to discussions and works to ensure that the community remains vibrant and connected. His goal is to actively participate in solving challenges while fostering progress within the area.
This year marks Joel’s first year on the parade committee, and he is eager to bring his dedication and leadership to help ensure the continued success of the parade. He is excited to work alongside a passionate team and looks forward to many more years of celebrating the Rowland Heights community through this iconic event.
Brittnie Gildea – Corresponding Secretary
Brittnie Gildea has been a dedicated member of the Rowland Water District team since 2012. Her passion for water began during her college years, where she set her sights on a career in the water industry. Brittnie earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of La Verne and currently serves as the District’s Marketing & Social Media Coordinator.
In her role, Brittnie oversees all Community Outreach and Education efforts and finds great joy in connecting with students and teachers across local schools. In addition to outreach, she has expanded her creative role by diving into graphic design and video editing, producing much of the District’s outreach materials and digital content.
One of her proudest achievements is the launch of the Mini Solar Challenge in 2019. What started as a small program with just 30 students has now grown into a regional initiative reaching over 500 students annually. Last year, the program expanded beyond Rowland’s boundaries through a collaboration with the Conservation Education Team (CET)—a regional group focused on water education and public engagement. Brittnie was instrumental in CET’s creation, serving as its inaugural Chair in 2021. She currently is a member of the Administrative Committee and holds the role of Secretary and is a program lead on several student-centered programs.
New in 2024, Brittnie also co-hosts the H2KnowItAlls podcast alongside a representative from Valley County Water District—adding a fun and informative layer to water education outreach.
Jennifer Hammond – Recording Secretary
A lifelong resident of Rowland Heights, Jennifer Martinez Hammond has proudly called this community home since the 1970s. From a young age, she was a familiar face in the Buckboard Days Parade—marching with local teams and groups like youth soccer, the Rincon Drill Team, and the Rowland Raiders Cheerleaders (Pop Warner). Her connection to the community runs deep—and continues to grow.
Jennifer is a devoted parent, experienced volunteer, and passionate supporter of youth and education. She served as a team mom at Rowland High School and played an active role on several school boards, including:
Walnut Elementary Community Club
Walnut Coordinating Council
In these roles, she has worn many hats—Vice President, Donations Coordinator, and Fundraising Coordinator—always stepping up to support students, families, and schools.
Now that her children are grown, Jennifer is excited to give back in new ways. As Recording Secretary of the Buckboard Days Parade Committee, she brings energy, heart, and a lifelong love for the tradition. Her goal? To help the parade not only continue—but thrive—for generations to come.
Bibi Leung – Treasurer
Bibi Leung has been a proud resident of Rowland Heights since 1995 and is the current President of Marketing Promotion Image, Inc. With a strong dedication to her community, Bibi has previously served as Treasurer for the Rowland Council PTA and Vice President of Scholarships, as well as President of the Alvarado Intermediate School PTA during the 2013-2014 school year.
Bibi became involved with the Buckboard Days Parade Committee in 2015, and served as Co-Chair from 2016 to 2021. She is passionate about giving back to her community and works hard to ensure the parade continues to be a successful and meaningful tradition.
In addition to her work with the parade, Bibi and her family actively volunteer with Priceless Pet Rescue in Chino Hills, helping support animals in need. They are also heavily involved in their Home Owners Association, working to maintain a safe and pleasant neighborhood environment.
When she’s not volunteering, Bibi enjoys traveling, scuba diving, snowboarding, and spending quality time with her family and their rescued puppies.
Lynne Ebenkamp – Previous Chair
Lynne Ebenkamp moved to Rowland Heights in 1970 and is a retired registered nurse and physician assistant. She has dedicated several years to volunteering on the Buckboard Days Parade Committee, including serving as Treasurer from 2017 to 2019 and as a Past Co-Chair.
Lynne’s commitment to her community extended beyond the parade. She served on the Rowland Unified School District Board of Education from 2013 to 2020 and was a past officer of the Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council. Alongside her husband, Ted, she has been actively involved in volunteering within Rowland Heights, and both have been honored as Rowland Heights Community Heroes and served as Grand Marshals of the Buckboard Days Parade.
Although Lynne has recently moved to Las Vegas, Nevada to enjoy her retirement, she continues to reflect fondly on her years of service. This year marks her final year volunteering for the parade, and she has loved watching the event grow and flourish over the years.