Reno Rodeo: One of Richest in West
Fourth Largest PRCA-Sanctioned Event in United States Brings Thrills
A parade down Virginia Street, all the traditional cowboy competitions with big prize money and performances by country music stars make this a memorable Reno tradition.
For people who like to watch the world’s most skillful cowboys in action, the annual Reno Rodeo is one of the best.
Now in its 89th year, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys of America (PRCA) event is the fourth top prize-money rodeo in the United States. Since the rodeo purse is a big one -- $557,000 in 2007 --the number of entrants is proportionately large (790 last year).
100-Mile Cattle Drive
The 2008 rodeo kicks off with the arrival at the Reno Livestock Events Center (866 N. Wells Avenue) of more than 300 head of livestock, when the 100-mile cattle drive from Doyle California reaches its destination. Wranglers on the drive include both experts and “paying guests,”, each of whom will pony up $1,600. for the privilege of participating in the three-day experience. The route through Sparks and Reno from Clear Acre Lane along Wedekind Road and Sutro Street gives onlookers plenty of room to get a good viewing spot.
The Big Parade
Billed as the “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West,” it's one of Reno's most popular summer events. Excitement begins mounting with a big parade on June 21. Led by a mounted color guard, the parade’s Grand Marshall may be anyone from a Nevada governor or Reno old-timer to a TV star or member of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. The traditional marching bands are out in force on foot, but instead of riding in automobiles, politicians are on horseback or in horse-drawn buggies. Groups of riders from all around the western United States, Miss Reno Rodeo and her attendants, and usually Miss Rodeo America, are among the hundreds of riders.
Rodeo Ring Competitions
Saturday is also the second night of performances in the rodeo arena, which involve first rounds in the saddle bronc-, bareback- and bull-riding competitions, as well as barrel racing. The chutes on the east side of the arena are opposite the main grandstand, insuring that all of the seats are good ones. Ticket prices, which range from $12 to $22, depend on both the specific performance and the seat location. Other arena events include barrel racing and chuck wagon races. Evening rodeo arena performances begin at 7 p.m. and take place nightly through June 28, when the Championship Rodeo Finals are held. There’s also a special Kids Rodeo before the main performances at 6 p.m. on June 22 and 24.
Indoor Events
Other rodeo events, which are held in the Livestock Events Center indoor arena, include steer wrestling, team penning and sorting, the Bob Feist International Team Roping and Perry DiLoretto roping competitions. These events begin each morning at 7 a.m. The indoor arena is also the venue for the performance horse sale on June 24.
Since 1986, when the non-profit rodeo association established the Reno Rodeo Foundation, more than $2.5 million has been donated to community programs and charities.
Added Attractions
A carnival with traditional rides, food vendors booths and midway games (one of the most popular concessions is the mechanical bull) sets up on the Livestock Event Center grounds the day before rodeo performances begin and continues through the 28th.
Other rodeo-related attractions includes a cowboys’ Sunday church service, lots of line-dancing at nightclubs, and performances by country music stars in casino showrooms both in Reno and the adjacent city of Sparks. For more information, contact the Reno Rodeo.
