Enter today to be placed in the lottery for 2nd annual event coming for Dan Russell Arena
FOLSOM — With the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Rodeo less than a month away, parents now have the chance to sign their little cowboys and cowgirls up for one of the event’s most beloved traditions: mutton busting. Ten lucky young riders will be selected for this year’s competition, set for Saturday, October 4, when the rodeo returns to the Dan Russell Rodeo Arena in Folsom.
Parents can now submit their children’s names for the limited-entry lottery, which opened Tuesday, September 8, at 8 a.m. and runs through Tuesday, September 16, at 5 p.m. Entries must be made online at the official registration page.
From the pool of entries, 10 riders will be randomly selected during the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Rodeo Queen Coronation Dinner on Thursday, October 2. Winners will be notified by email and announced publicly on Friday, October 3.
To qualify, each child must weigh no more than 60 pounds fully clothed and will be provided with a helmet and protective vest. Parents are welcome in the holding area, though only participants and officials are allowed behind the gate and chute. A dedicated viewing area will give families a clear view of their little cowboy or cowgirl’s ride. Importantly, all participants must have a valid rodeo ticket—general admission or higher—at the time of entry, and organizers recommend the Family Ticket Package for those bringing the whole crew.
Mutton busting has long been one of the most beloved family events of the rodeo, as children bravely hang on to the back of a sheep for as long as they can, cheered on by a packed arena. “It’s fun for the kids and a fan favorite every year,” rodeo organizers note. “These spots will go fast, so don’t miss the chance to enter.”
This year’s Sacramento County Sheriff’s Rodeo promises an even bigger and bolder night than its successful debut in 2024. Alongside the mutton busting thrills, fans can expect crowd-pleasing action including bull riding, breakaway roping, barrel racing, the Sheriff’s Stampede, and the debut of the Rodeo Queen Contest. The evening will begin with a patriotic grand entry and end with a live music performance and fireworks over the Folsom sky.
Beyond the entertainment, the event raises vital support for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Foundation. Proceeds benefit scholarships, youth outreach, gang and drug prevention programs, and resources for local officers and their families.
With cooler fall weather, no service fees on ticket purchases, and an entertainment lineup designed for all ages, the second annual Sacramento County Sheriff’s Rodeo is shaping up as one of the season’s must-see community events.
Tickets are available now, and mutton busting entries will remain open until September 16. For more details, ticket information, or to sign up your child for the lottery, visit the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Rodeo website at www.sacsheriffsrodeo.com or the official sign-up link here.
Copyright © 2025, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
