If you were at the Redding Rodeo Grounds prior to nine o’clock on the morning of May 11, 2026, you would have seen a stream of of those bright yellow school buses, from several local school districts, bringing in dozens of special kids to participate in Special Kids Day and get a thrilling dose of what it’s like to be a Cowboy, atop a marvelous, tame and powerful horse, firmly secured by several Redding Rodeo Association and Asphalt Cowboys members. According to Redding Rodeo

The 78th annual Redding Rodeo, ranked as one of the “60 best rodeos in the country,” kicked off with a high energy, family friendly Launch Party, held smack dab in the middle of the Redding Rodeo Grounds, featuring live music, country and line dancing by Better in Boots, plus Tri tip sandwiches served by the Redding Rodeo Auxiliary Association, more commonly known as the “The Ladies Behind The Red Shirts” who’ve been assisting the Redding Rodeo Association since the ‘50s. Fr