Makaila and Kevin Benjamin have been named grand marshals of the 2025 Middletown Days celebration. Courtesy photo.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — Organizers of Middletown Days have named Makaila and Kevin Benjamin as the grand marshals of this year’s parade and rodeo.

Middletown Days takes place June 20 to 22. The parade is June 21.

Benjamin Ranches is family owned and operated by husband and wife, Kevin and Makaila, and two adorable yet crazy boys, Braydon, 6, and Bryce, 3.

Kevin Benjamin was born and raised in Lake County. After graduating from Kelseyville High School, he enlisted in the Army. His home base was in Ft. Stewart Georgia where he served for five years. For two of those years — 2009 to 2010 — he was deployed to Iraq.

Always pushing to further his ranks in the Army, he was determined to finish two of the hardest schools the branch had to offer. In 2011 he graduated not only from sniper school but also one of the most challenging for him, Ranger School. His final tour was to Afghanistan from 2012 to 2013.

He loved serving in the Army and probably would have made it a career if it were not for a small-town rancher named Makaila that he just had to marry.

Makaila Benjamin is a sixth generation rancher. Her great-great-grandparents, Les and Irene McIntire, took over the ranch in 1920. The original ranch was founded in 1856, purchased by Les’ grandfather in 1890.

It is the second oldest ranch in Lake County. Known as the McIntire Ranch, they raised Hereford cattle and pigs.

Les and Irene McIntire were part of the original foundation of the county ranchers who started the Lake County Cattlemen’s Association and Lake County Cow Bells. Over the more recent years, the ranch has made the transition from cattle and pigs to include sheep.

Married in 2014, Kevin and Makaila Benjamin worked to save toward building their goal of raising cattle and hogs. Their focus was on financial stability to support their future family. They decided to start a business raising and processing meat for their local community, friends and family. They named their ranch 2M Benjamin Ranches. The “2M” was her great-great-grandparents’ brand which they incorporated into their name to honor them and keep their memory alive.

After the COVID lockdown, they noticed more people were looking for healthier meat for their families. Grass fed beef fit the marked need. The rest, so to say, is history.

They lease several acres of grassland in the county to raise their cattle, along with the current McIntire ranch that is owned by Makaila’s parents, Ted and Jackie Rodrigues. Kevin processes the meat. They have included hogs and sheep in the meats that they offer.

Their life dream is coming to fruition. They are proud to be part of the Lake County ranching community and are always stepping up to promote the 4-H and FFA livestock projects every year.

They appreciate the honor of being asked to represent Middletown Days Parade and Rodeo as the grand marshals for this event.