Historic tradition would follow newly reimagined evening hometown parade on July 1, kicking off 65th annual Folsom Pro Rodeo
One of Folsom’s most iconic western traditions could soon thunder back onto Historic Sutter Street, as community leaders work to revive the Folsom Cattle Drive for the first time in more than a decade.
The Folsom Historic District Association, in partnership with the Folsom Chamber, is leading the effort to bring back the high-energy western spectacle on Wednesday, July 1, as the grand finale to the Historic Folsom Hometown Parade. In a notable change from years past, when the parade traditionally took place in the morning, this year’s event is shifting to a prime-time evening celebration, scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. The cattle drive is planned to follow immediately after as the night’s grand finale, bringing a dramatic and close to a reimagined community tradition under the summer sky at a time of day when temperatures are cooler and safer for all involved.
If successful, the return would end a hiatus that dates back more than a decade. The event was canceled in 2013 and again in 2015 due to extreme heat, and in the years that followed, it never returned—until now.
Now, organizers say the community has made it clear: they want it back.
Get ready, Folsom—the Cattle Drive is BACK and bigger than ever. After hearing from so many in the community, organizers say they are thrilled at the opportunity to bring this beloved tradition home as the grand finale of the Historic Folsom Hometown Parade. There’s nothing quite like the sight of longhorn cattle making their way down Sutter Street, bringing Folsom’s western roots to life in a way that is both powerful and unforgettable.
With so much to celebrate—250 years as a nation, Folsom’s 80th birthday, and 65 years of the Folsom Pro Rodeo—this year’s potential return of the cattle drive is being positioned as more than just an event. It’s a milestone moment that ties together generations of tradition, heritage and community pride into one signature experience. Organizers have even dubbed the effort a full community “MOO-vement,” reflecting both the spirit of the event and the grassroots push to bring it back.
The Folsom Cattle Drive itself has long been one of the most anticipated and visually striking elements of rodeo week, historically serving as the official kickoff to the Folsom Pro Rodeo. Featuring longhorn cattle driven by cowboys through the heart of Historic Folsom, the event blends authentic western heritage with community celebration, complete with wagons, local officials and rodeo personalities.
It is a tradition deeply rooted in the identity of Folsom—one that transforms Sutter Street into a living piece of the Old West, drawing thousands of spectators each year when it was last held.
But bringing it back will take more than nostalgia—it will take community support.
Organizers have made it clear that the return of the cattle drive is entirely dependent on securing the necessary funding by April 30. Without reaching that goal, organizers say the cattle will not return to Sutter Street this year.
Bringing this iconic experience to life takes what organizers describe as “a whole herd” of community support. Whether it’s local businesses, families, or individuals who have long cherished Historic Folsom traditions, every contribution plays a role in making the event possible.
From small contributions to larger community backing efforts, each level of participation helps ensure that the cattle once again make their way down Sutter Street. Organizers say it’s more than just supporting an event—it’s an opportunity to be part of something truly special, to show community pride, and to help create a shared experience that thousands will remember for years to come.
Those looking to get involved in the fundraising effort or learn more about how to participate can find additional information atwww.historicfolsom.org.
Local fundraisers already underway to support cattle drive return
Efforts to bring the Folsom Cattle Drive back to Historic Sutter Street are already gaining momentum, with local businesses and community leaders stepping up to help meet the critical funding deadline.
One of the first major fundraising events is set for Monday, April 20, as the Folsom Hotel hosts a special “Bartender Takeover” from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will feature guest bartenders Katie Chacon, Brian Wallace, Amber Felts and Evangeline Scott, each stepping behind the bar to serve drinks in support of the cause.
In a unique and interactive twist, 100 percent of the tips collected during the event will go directly toward funding the return of the cattle drive. The bartender collecting the most tips will earn the opportunity to serve as a judge for the Historic Folsom Hometown Parade on July 1, adding a competitive and community-driven element to the evening.
The fundraiser blends community spirit with a hands-on way for residents to contribute, offering an opportunity to support the revival of one of Folsom’s most cherished traditions while enjoying an evening in the heart of the Historic District.
Set against the backdrop of the historic Folsom Hotel, the event also serves as an early signal of the broader community effort underway. Organizers say additional fundraising events and opportunities are expected in the coming weeks as the April 30 deadline approaches, further building what they continue to call a community-wide “MOO-vement.”
With the return of the cattle drive dependent on reaching its funding goal, events like the Bartender Takeover highlight the grassroots support building behind the effort—one tip, one contribution and one community moment at a time.
The Historic Folsom Hometown Parade itself remains a cornerstone Fourth of July tradition, scheduled for July 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. along the 600–900 blocks of Sutter Street. The parade begins at Coloma and Sutter streets and travels through the Historic District to Reading Street, filling the corridor with floats, marching groups, music and patriotic celebration before culminating in the cattle drive as the grand finale of the evening.
From colorful floats and marching groups to creative entries from local businesses, nonprofits and community organizations, the parade celebrates everything that makes Folsom unique. Thousands of spectators line the streets each year, bringing chairs, gathering with family and friends, and enjoying dinner and drinks from Historic District restaurants while taking in the festivities.
Community members interested in participating in the parade are encouraged to submit entries, with organizers welcoming creative involvement from groups, nonprofits, businesses and organizations. Entry fees are set at $25 for community groups and nonprofits and $100 for business entries, with a submission deadline of June 1, 2026, or earlier if space fills.
If funding is secured, the cattle drive will immediately follow the parade, transforming the conclusion of the evening into a dramatic and unforgettable western showcase that sets the tone for the days ahead.
Together, the parade and cattle drive would launch a full week of celebration across the city, leading into the 65th annual Folsom Pro Rodeo—one of the region’s most celebrated and longstanding summer traditions that continues to draw visitors from across the region and beyond.
For now, the return of the cattle drive remains contingent on meeting the April 30 funding deadline. But with early fundraising efforts already underway and strong community interest building, organizers remain optimistic that the tradition will ride again.
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