A new Roundup reign

Delaney Grace is the queen of the 2024 Mother Lode Roundup

Delaney Grace put her hand over her mouth as Mother Lode Roundup General Chairman Mike Suess read her name Thursday afternoon at the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Posse grounds in Jamestown.

Grace, 22, of Lodi, had just been announced as the 2024 Mother Lode Roundup Queen, a title she and three other contestants who shared the stage with her Thursday have been competing for since March.

“What went through my head was, ‘Someone one pinch me. I don’t think this is real,’ like it wasn’t my name,” she said shortly after her coronation.

The Burson native said she entered the contest because she feels a local connection to the Roundup as someone who grew up visiting Tuolumne County and places like New Melones Reservoir.

Grace’s first contest was for Calaveras Rodeo Queen in 2019, finishing second runner-up. She then earned the title of Miss Clements Stampede in 2020, which she carried for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Helping to promote the Mother Lode Roundup outside of Tuolumne County is one of Grace’s goals over the next year.

“When I was Miss Clements, I went to over 100 different rodeos with that title and would love to do that again for the Mother Lode Roundup,” she said.

Addison Rose, 20, of Sonora, Savannah Fulton, 16, of Groveland, and Haley Williamson, 15, of Oakdale, were the other three queen contestants. Rose was named first runner-up, while Williamson was second runner-up.

Following the coronation Thursday was the Calcutta, where participants in the calf scramble at this weekend’s Roundup are auctioned off.

This year’s Calcutta raised $21,000, which Suess said was “one of our highest, if not highest ever” hauls. About a quarter of the money will benefit the Posse’s scholarship fund and other charitable causes, while the rest will be divided among the calf scramble winners.

“Tim Orpurt was the chairman on this (the Calcutta) and did an amazing job,” Suess said. “We want to thank the community for coming out bigger than ever for us.”

Contact Alex Maclean at amaclean@ uniondemocrat.com or (209) 588-4541.

Courtesy photos / Kathy Scutt Photography (above, far left); Alex Maclean / Union Democrat (left) Delaney Grace smiles brightly as 2023 Mother Lode Roundup Queen Ginna Hahn crowns Grace as the 2024 queen (above). Grace stands for an official queen photo (far right). Grace (left, center) is surrounded by her family (from left) stepfather James Nielsen, mother Ginnie Nielsen, father Joe Grace, and sister Emily Grace.

Courtesy photos / Kathy Scutt Photography Miss Rodeo California Cailee Roper (top right photo, left) and 2024 Mother Lode Roundup Queen Delaney Grace (right) escorttommi Cover and Karissa Rogers during Calcuttathursday evening at the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Posse Clubhouse. Grace (above, right) shares the stage with 2023 Mother Lode Roundup Queen Ginna Hahn.tuolumne County Sheriff David Vasquez (left) attended the event. Posseman Audie Archer (top left photo, back to camera) watches as (from left) Grace, Brody Richey, CJ Richey, Piper Richey and Hahn walk the line for the Calcutta auction.