Ride ’Em Cowboy! exhibit will explore six decades of rodeo tradition, debate and local culture
Folsom History is inviting the community to play a direct role in preserving one of the city’s most recognizable traditions as it prepares a new museum exhibit centered on the story of the Folsom Pro Rodeo.
The upcoming exhibit, titled Ride ’Em Cowboy!, will trace the evolution of the Pro Rodeo from its origins as the Fiesta-Rodeo in 1963 through its growth into a long-standing community institution. Museum officials say the exhibit will explore not only the spectacle and celebration of the rodeo, but also the broader cultural conversations that have surrounded it over the decades, including ethical debates and shifting public perspectives.
In addition to chronicling the rodeo itself, the exhibit will examine the creation of the Dan Russell Amphitheater, now known as the Dan Russell Amphitheater, and the role that venue has played in shaping large-scale community events in Folsom. Organizers say the goal is to present a layered and inclusive history that reflects the many ways residents have interacted with the rodeo.
To accomplish that, Folsom History is asking residents to donate or loan personal items that help tell the story. Museum staff are seeking photographs and photo albums, video or film footage, rodeo clothing such as hats, shirts, jackets, boots, belt buckles or specialized gear, as well as riding equipment including saddles, ropes, spurs and related items. Additional materials of interest include programs, tickets, posters, advertisements, merchandise, souvenirs, trophies, awards, Rodeo Queen and court items, materials connected to the historic cattle drive through Sutter Street, and personal stories, letters or diaries tied to the rodeo experience.
Organizers emphasize that all perspectives are welcome. Whether someone participated as a rider, volunteer or organizer, attended as a spectator, worked behind the scenes, or opposed the event through protest or advocacy, museum staff say those experiences are a meaningful part of the rodeo’s history and deserve a place in the exhibit.
Community members who are interested in contributing items or stories can submit details through an online form athttps://forms.gle/aovg5FUxR4vKu2cn9. Questions about the exhibit or potential contributions can also be directed toinfo@folsomhistory.org.
Ride ’Em Cowboy! is expected to offer a comprehensive look at how the Folsom Pro Rodeo has shaped — and been shaped by — the community across generations, highlighting not just the event itself, but the people, conversations and moments that have defined it.
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