Four-year-old David Harvey has been named the Marysville Stampede’s 2026 Golden Circle Champion. The program supports local children battling pediatric cancer and their families. Photo courtesy of Friends of the Marysville Stampede.

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Four-year-old David Harvey likes fishing, cowboys, tractors and spending time outdoors. This month, the Marysville Stampede will put him at the center of the rodeo community as he battles pediatric cancer.

Friends of the Marysville Stampede has named Harvey its 2026 Golden Circle Champion as the organization launches a local Golden Circle of Champions program to support children with pediatric cancer and their families.

The Golden Circle of Champions connects children facing life-threatening illnesses with the rodeo community. Money raised through the Marysville program will support local families dealing with pediatric cancer.

“This may mean helping with gas money or gift cards for food while family members are getting treatment or helping pay a bill or for a treatment they can’t afford,” Friends of the Marysville Stampede said.

The organization will hold its first Golden Circle of Champions Drive-Thru Family Dinner Fundraiser from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Geweke Ford parking lot, 871 E. Onstott Road in Yuba City.

Family meals cost $60 and include a whole slow-cooked tri-tip, seasoned rice, ranch-style beans and fresh bread rolls. Cool Hand Luke’s will cater the dinner. Meals serve four or more people.

The deadline to preorder is Friday, Sept. 4. Family meals cost $60 and can be purchased online at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/golden-circle-of-champions-drive-thru-dinner. Donations can also be made without purchasing a meal.

Friends of the Marysville Stampede said the money raised locally will go toward assisting families in the area.

“While this program is nationally recognized in the Western world and PRCA, the monies that are generated locally through the efforts of the Friends of the Marysville Stampede will support local families that need assistance while a child in their family is suffering with pediatric cancer,” the organization said.

Supporters can also contribute by purchasing gold bandanas or making donations.

“The Friends of Marysville Stampede would like to introduce our 2026 local Golden Circle Champion, David Harvey,” organizers said. “We ask anyone that is able to do so to help our efforts in the next few weeks, whether by buying a drive-thru dinner or buying a gold bandana or contributing a few dollars, to please do so.”

The effort will carry into the Marysville Stampede, scheduled for Sept. 12-13. Organizers have designated Saturday, Sept. 12, as Golden Circle of Champions Day at Cotton Rosser Arena, where Harvey will be honored during the rodeo.

The organization hopes the program will raise awareness of pediatric cancer while giving families practical assistance during treatment.

“Because rodeo is more than a sport. It’s a community. And when one family faces a challenge, we ride together,” organizers said.

For more information, contact Nicole Rosser at 530-742-7371 or visit http://MarysvilleStampede.com.