Folsom History Museum planning free celebration before and after riders make stop on their 1,900-mile journey in Sacramento
The sound of hoofbeats will once again echo through Historic Folsom later this month as riders retracing one of America’s most legendary journeys make their way down Sutter Street carrying a traditional Pony Express mochila on the final day of the 2026 National Pony Express Re-Ride.
For local residents, history enthusiasts and families looking for a unique summer outing, June 25 will offer a rare chance to witness a living piece of American history in the very community that once served as an important stop along the famed Pony Express route.
Riders participating in the annual relay are expected to arrive at the Folsom History Museum, 823 Sutter Street, at approximately 11:30 a.m. on that Thursday. The arrival will feature a traditional mochila exchange in Historic Folsom before the riders continue west toward Sacramento for the official conclusion of the cross-country journey.
To celebrate the occasion, the Folsom History Museum will host activities for all ages, historical exhibits and opportunities to meet the modern-day riders who are helping keep the Pony Express legacy alive. The museum will also offer free admission from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., inviting visitors to explore exhibits highlighting Folsom’s transportation, railroad and Gold Rush history while enjoying one of the city’s most unique annual historical events.
The arrival in Folsom comes during the final hours of an extraordinary 10-day relay that began June 15 at the historic Patee House in St. Joseph, Missouri. From there, volunteer riders set out on horseback carrying a traditional leather mochila filled with 1,570 commemorative letters, beginning a nonstop journey of more than 1,900 miles across the American West.
Operating 24 hours a day, the relay follows the original Pony Express route through Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California before concluding in Sacramento.
The modern re-ride mirrors the spirit of the original Pony Express service, which operated from April 1860 until October 1861. Although the original service lasted only 18 months before the completion of the transcontinental telegraph, it became one of the most celebrated stories of the American frontier.
At a time when communication between California and the eastern United States could take weeks, Pony Express riders dramatically reduced delivery times by racing mail across nearly 2,000 miles of mountains, deserts and plains. Young riders often traveled in dangerous conditions, braving extreme weather, rugged terrain and the constant pressure of delivering mail on schedule.
Folsom played a direct role in that historic network.
As riders crossed the Sierra Nevada into California, they traveled through relay stations that connected Placerville, Mormon Island, Folsom and Sacramento. The route through the foothills and into the Sacramento Valley became an important link in the chain that connected California with the rest of the nation during a pivotal period in American history. That local connection is one reason the annual re-ride continues to attract spectators throughout the region.
Earlier on June 25, riders are expected to make a traditional horse exchange at the historic El Dorado “Y” at Highway 50 and Pony Express Trail. Scheduled for approximately 8:08 a.m., the stop will provide spectators with a glimpse of one of the most iconic scenes associated with the Pony Express era as riders quickly transfer the mochila and continue westward.
From there, the relay will descend through the foothills toward Historic Folsom, where the arrival on Sutter Street is expected to draw visitors, photographers, local history enthusiasts and families eager to witness the event.
The Folsom stop is expected to be one of the most visible public viewing opportunities in the Sacramento region before the relay reaches its final destination later that afternoon.
This year’s re-ride carries additional significance as it coincides with America 250 celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
An America 250 highlight associated with the event will take place June 24 in Carson City, Nevada, where the National Pony Express Association will partner with the Carson City Historical Society to present “Saddle-Up Carson City,” featuring historical presentations and educational programming focused on the Pony Express and its role in helping connect a growing nation.
“Community support is what keeps this tradition alive, but tying this year’s ride into the America 250 celebration adds a profound layer of pride,” said Petra Keller, corresponding secretary for the National Pony Express Association. “The Pony Express exemplifies the enduring American spirit of perseverance and connection.”
The National Pony Express Association, a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the history of the Pony Express, conducts the annual re-ride as both an educational experience and a tribute to the original riders whose courage helped shape the American West.
Today, the event serves as a reminder of how dramatically communication has changed while honoring the determination and grit of those who once carried messages across some of the most challenging terrain in North America.
After departing Historic Folsom, the riders will continue toward the official conclusion of the 2026 Re-Ride at Pony Express Plaza in Old Sacramento at Second and J streets.
The final rider is expected to arrive at approximately 4:30 p.m., where members of the National Pony Express Association, local officials, historical reenactors and members of the public will gather for a ceremony celebrating the completion of the journey.
The event will honor both the original Pony Express riders and the volunteers who have spent the past 10 days traversing eight states to keep the tradition alive. The ceremony is expected to include historical presentations and recognition of the riders who carried the mochila across the country.
For residents of Folsom, however, the most accessible and intimate opportunity to experience the event may be right in the heart of the Historic District.
As riders gallop in and depart on Sutter Street carrying the mail through the same corridor once traveled by their 19th-century predecessors, they will bring history to life in a way few events can. For a few moments on June 25, the sights and traditions of the Old West will return to Historic Folsom, reminding visitors of the city’s enduring connection to one of America’s greatest frontier legends.
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