There was hardly an empty seat in the outdoor area of Out of Bounds Brewing Thursday evening for the final segment of the 2023 Folsom Pro Rodeo Queen competition.
The Folsom Pro Rodeo Queen competition is open to women between the ages of 18 and 24 each year. Many who enter and compete for the role of Folsom Pro Rodeo Queen each year also have aspirations to compete further for the Miss Rodeo California Queen title. Therefore, those who wish to apply to become Queen of the Folsom Pro Rodeo must meet criteria that matches that of the statewide competition.
Contestants are judged in the categories of Speech, Interview, Horsemanship, Personality, and impromptu questions in the days leading up to the rodeo during various events and sessions, much like that of Tuesday evening.
Standing before members of the local media, staff members of the Folsom Chamber of Commerce, the Folsom Pro Rodeo and rodeo fans the final contestants went through a series of speeches, modeling and impromptu questions.
I’m addition to the public portion of the event, contestants KaeLee Gates and Stephanie Howard both participated in closed door interview sessions with competition judges Megan Demmel, Carlos Macias, and Jessica Simmons.
Reigning Miss Pro Rodeo Kyndal Castle was part of the program, Castle shared stories with guests about her rodeo travels over the past year, one that she described as being an amazing experience.
Several visiting Rodeo Queens from the region attended the event to show their support for western culture and women in rodeo.
The prestigious competition will commence this Saturday, July 2 with the announcement and crowing of the 2023 Folsom Pro Rodeo Queen.
Saturday’s event is the first of three nights at the Folsom Pro Rodeo, all of which are now officially sold out, according to the Folsom Chamber of Commerce.
