High-flying freestyle motocross act delivers one last adrenaline rush before the fireworks during the rodeo’s 65th anniversary celebration
Every night at the Folsom Pro Rodeo, there comes a moment when the arena seems to pause. The bucking horses are back in the chutes, the bulls have made their final charge, the last barrel has been turned and the dirt begins to settle inside Dan Russell Arena.
Then, almost out of nowhere, a set of towering ramps rolls onto the arena floor.
Moments later, that brief pause gives way to the unmistakable roar of dirt bikes as the Flying Cowboyz prepare to launch high above the arena, delivering one final heart-pounding performance before fireworks light up the Folsom sky.
Part rodeo specialty act, part extreme sports showcase and part full-throttle finale, the Flying Cowboyz have become one of the Folsom Pro Rodeo’s most daring crowd favorites. Each night, just before the event’s signature fireworks display, the freestyle motocross act brings a jolt of speed, height and modern action-sports energy to one of the region’s most traditional Independence Day celebrations.
For many fans, the timing is part of what makes the act so memorable. By the time the Flying Cowboyz enter the arena, spectators have already experienced a full evening of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competition, patriotic pageantry, mutton bustin’, crowd entertainment and arena action. The ramps roll in near the end of the night, building anticipation for a finale that gives the crowd one last reason to rise to its feet before the fireworks begin.
The Flying Cowboyz are a freestyle motocross specialty act produced by the historic Flying U Rodeo Company, blending Western heritage with the excitement of modern action sports. Instead of climbing aboard bucking broncs or chasing the clock in a timed event, the riders twist throttles and launch their dirt bikes from specialized takeoff ramps, soaring roughly 80 feet through the air before landing on massive receiver ramps on the opposite side of the arena.
It is a dramatic contrast to the traditional sights and sounds of rodeo, where the smell of arena dirt, leather, livestock and barbecue is suddenly joined by the roar of motorcycle engines and the unmistakable scent of two-stroke exhaust. Somehow, despite being worlds apart, the combination works remarkably well, creating one of the most visually dramatic moments of the evening.
Fans routinely witness elite freestyle motocross maneuvers that would feel more at home at an action-sports arena than a traditional rodeo. Superman seat grabs, cliffhangers, backflips and other aerial tricks send riders high above the arena floor as the crowd watches each launch, rotation and landing. The stunts require precision, timing and nerves every bit as real as those needed by the cowboys and cowgirls competing earlier in the night.
That shared sense of risk is part of why the Flying Cowboyz fit naturally into the rodeo setting. Rodeo has always celebrated courage, athleticism, timing and showmanship. Freestyle motocross simply brings those same elements to the arena in a different form, replacing saddles and spurs with throttles, suspension and helmets.
The act also serves as a bridge between generations of rodeo fans. Longtime spectators still get the traditional rodeo experience they came for, from bull riding and barrel racing to roping events and patriotic ceremonies. Younger fans, meanwhile, are treated to the kind of action-sports spectacle often associated with motocross events and extreme sports showcases. Together, the combination gives the Folsom Pro Rodeo a finale that feels both rooted in tradition and built for modern audiences.
The Flying U Rodeo Company has long been known for bringing innovation into the arena while preserving the foundation of Western sports. Led by the Rosser family, the historic company has played an important role in shaping rodeo entertainment for generations, and the Flying Cowboyz are one of the clearest examples of that willingness to push the boundaries of what a rodeo crowd can experience.
By incorporating freestyle motocross into a heritage-rich environment, the Flying Cowboyz have helped expand the entertainment value of rodeos while introducing younger audiences to classic Western venues. The act has become a premier centerpiece at major PRCA events across the country, including the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and the Red Bluff Round-Up, where fans have come to expect the roar of engines alongside the familiar sounds of hooves, chutes and cheering grandstands.
In Folsom, the Flying Cowboyz have found a fitting stage. The Folsom Pro Rodeo has always balanced competition, patriotism and spectacle, making room for both time-honored traditions and the unexpected moments that keep fans talking long after the night ends. The act’s placement just before fireworks makes it feel like a natural final surge of energy, with riders delivering gasps, cheers and a final dose of “wow” before the sky becomes the main attraction.
The performance is not simply about height or speed. It is about atmosphere. As the ramps are positioned inside Dan Russell Arena, fans begin to turn their attention toward the center of the dirt. Music builds, engines rev and the anticipation spreads through the grandstands. Then the first rider accelerates toward the ramp and, for a few seconds, the entire arena looks up.
Those few seconds are what make the Flying Cowboyz so effective. The crowd knows there is no margin for error. The takeoff has to be right. The trick has to be timed. The landing has to hold. When it all comes together, the result is a burst of excitement that cuts across age groups, whether it is a child seeing freestyle motocross for the first time or a longtime rodeo fan who has come to expect the Flying Cowboyz as part of the Folsom experience.
The act brings a different rhythm to the arena, but it does not replace the rodeo’s identity. Instead, it adds to it. The Folsom Pro Rodeo remains centered on the Western heritage, competition and community tradition that have defined the event for more than six decades. The Flying Cowboyz simply help show how that tradition continues to evolve, bringing new energy to an event that has never been afraid to entertain.
This year, that energy arrives during one of the most significant editions of the Folsom Pro Rodeo in its history. The 2026 event marks the rodeo’s 65th anniversary while also coinciding with the City of Folsom’s 80th anniversary and America’s 250th birthday. Against that backdrop, the Flying Cowboyz represent the event’s ability to honor its roots while continuing to appeal to new generations of fans.
For a rodeo built around Independence Day, the combination of Western tradition, patriotic celebration, fireworks and high-flying entertainment gives each night a festival atmosphere. Fans can spend the evening watching classic PRCA competition, cheer on children during mutton bustin’, enjoy the precision of the Painted Ladies Rodeo Performers, laugh along with comedy barrelman Kyle Lamon and then watch the Flying Cowboyz send dirt bikes soaring through the arena before fireworks close the night.
Few acts better capture the “something for everyone” spirit of the Folsom Pro Rodeo. The Flying Cowboyz bring speed for the thrill-seekers, danger for the daredevils, showmanship for the crowd and just enough surprise to make even longtime attendees lean forward in their seats. For those who have watched the rodeo evolve over the years, the act has become a reminder that the event’s long history is not defined by standing still.
The 2026 Folsom Pro Rodeo takes place July 2, 3 and 4 at Dan Russell Arena. Gates open nightly at 5 p.m., preshow activities begin at 6 p.m., and rodeo action gets underway at 7:30 p.m. Fans can expect three nights of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competition featuring bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, breakaway roping and other rodeo favorites.
Returning attractions include the Flying Cowboyz, Bull Jumping, the nationally acclaimed Painted Ladies Rodeo Performers, mutton bustin’ for young riders and nightly appearances by comedy barrelman Kyle Lamon. Each evening concludes with the rodeo’s signature fireworks display above Dan Russell Arena, but not before the Flying Cowboyz provide one last round of high-flying thrills from the arena floor.
Beyond the arena action, guests can enjoy food vendors, merchandise booths and the popular Saloon Under the Stars, which has become a favorite gathering place during rodeo week.
As of Thursday, organizers announced that tickets for the 65th annual event are all officially sold out.
For rodeo fans who love tradition, the Folsom Pro Rodeo will deliver plenty of it. For those looking for speed, height and a final dose of “wow” before the fireworks, the Flying Cowboyz are ready to send two wheels soaring into the summer sky.
Tickets and complete event information are available at folsomprorodeo.com.
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