Another Folsom Pro Rodeo is in the history book and although officials are still tallying all of the facts and figures, the 62nd annual version of this event was undoubtedly a barn burner, bringing some 22,000 fans into the city over its three-day run.
While the patriotism brings tears and smiles to fans and all of the bull riding, barrel racing, mutton busting and more brings thrills to remember for months, the Folsom Pro Rodeo also brings a boost to the local economy when it arrives each year. Several years ago an economic study told the Folsom Chamber of Commerce this event brought over $1.5 million dollars in extra local spending during the summer in Folsom.
See all of our images from the Folsom Pro Rodeo in an online gallery by CLICKING HERE
With what was one of its biggest crowds yet, that number is likely to grow considerably when the dust settles this year. It’s known as an economic “bull market” for Folsom, all puns aside, as the event boosts business across the city in many forms year after year.
It’s not just the three days that the event takes place, it starts weeks before the event as the community gears up for this summer tradition. Local spending spikes in many way, from more bookings at local hotels for fans and performers, to local dining and shopping. For Handley’s Western Wear, the days leading up to the Folsom Pro Rodeo are some of their busiest of the year, as local and travelers alike flock to the family owned store that is as old as the rodeo to grab their new western threads and hats.
This favorite patriotic event attracts families from all throughout California – especially the Bay Area. Some of these out-of-town visitors spend an extra night or two at Folsom hotels and enjoy other great activities such as water sports or cycling and earmark the community as a destination for future travel. Such was the case for Richard Hennington of Point Richmond who came to the rodeo with his wife Judy and their two boys, David, 6 and Caden, 9.
“We got tickets as a gift over the holidays and planned this weekend back in January,” said Hennington. “This was our first time here and we are hooked. We made it a vacation and spent some time at Lake Natoma and old town and really have been enjoying it, next we’re going to head up to Lake Tahoe for the fourth so this was a perfect stop on our road trip.”
Then Hennington’s visit to the Folsom Pro Rodeo is similar to many in the past, once you come to a Folsom Pro Rodeo you want to make it a tradition thereafter as the event and the city can be very welcoming. During their visit, the traveling family said they enjoyed dinner at Scott’s Seafood in the Historic District one evening and took the boys to Snook’s for ice cream afterwards. They also rented kayaks the second day of their visit and cooled off in the triple digit heat.
“I use to live in Georgia when I was younger, so these temperatures don’t really affect me too bad,” said Hennington. “You all are fortunate around here to not have the humidity on top of the heat like I was use to. The day at the lake was great, we even met some new friends that were coming to the rodeo tonight as well. We’ll be back for sure.”
Over the rodeo weekend, local restaurants we’re filled with diners across town. The parking lots of local hotels were filled with cars and the community with bustling with patriotic spirit long before that American flag descended into Dan Russell arena and long after the final fireworks faded into the night sky.
“Rodeo fans support our economy in many ways while they are enjoying this family-friendly event. They shop and dine while they are here. They take note of the busy event calendar and return other fun events we host,” says Joe Gagliardi, CEO Choose Folsom, the Folsom Chamber of Commerce, who puts the rodeo on each year. “With the support of Folsom businesses, especially our rodeo sponsors we are excited to bring the rodeo to the community each year.”
Over the three days of the Folsom Pro Rodeo, fans enjoyed a variety of different actions and competitions. The cheers were abundant throughout all aspects of the rodeo, making it difficult to narrow down what exactly was the fan favorite, however, there was much ado about mutton busting each and every night as youngsters tested their rodeo skills upon the backs of wayward sheep, destined for either victory or a taste of the good old Dan Russell arena dirt where they still were cheered by some 7,000 plus each night.
Rodeo performer Matt Merritt kept the crowd entertained throughout the three day run, better known as a professional rodeo clown, Merritt has been a fan favorite at Folsom for several years, keeping the crowd entertained as rodeo staff and volunteers prepare for the next act, whether its bull riding, steer roping, barrel racing or speed thrills by the new chuck wagon races or the Flying Cowboys motocross daredevils that closed the evening’s action over all three days just prior to the fireworks that lit up the sky.
Over the duration of the Folsom Pro Rodeo, Folsom Times captured nearly 150 images that portray the thrill and fun this annual event brings to the community of Folsom.
All of those images can be VIEWED at an online gallery right HERE or by visiting www.sullivanimages.net.
2023 marked the first year the Folsom Times and All Town Media LLC was a sponsoring partner with the Folsom Pro Rodeo and we can’t thank the Folsom Chamber of Commerce and Choose Folsom enough for their hospitality during the event as well as their support.
