78th Redding Rodeo Returns May 13–16: Buckin’ by the River in Shasta County
- Kari Chilson
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Redding’s signature Western celebration is saddling up once again. The 78th Redding Rodeo kicks off this week at the historic Sheriff’s Posse Grounds, bringing four days of professional rodeo action, family-friendly events, and community tradition to Northern California.
What began as a small-town idea from Sheriff John Balma has grown into one of the region’s premier rodeo traditions. Rooted in the ranching and farming heritage of extreme Northern California, the event reflects the independent, hardworking spirit of the North State. After World War II, local veterans and law enforcement helped launch the rodeo, which moved to its current Redding location in 1948. Today, it stands as a Hall of Fame PRCA-sanctioned event with a purse in the hundreds of thousands of dollars— a far cry from the $175 purse of its earliest days.
A Full Week of Western Fun
The rodeo isn’t just about the arena. This year’s lineup includes:
Special Kids Day – Celebrating children with disabilities in the community.
Heritage Day – Hands-on education for K-4 students on ranching, horsemanship, responsibility, and local history.
Redding Rodeo Steak Feed – The popular pre-rodeo party under the stars that evolved from a simple Saturday night dance.
Asphalt Cowboys Pancake Breakfast – Billed as the nation’s biggest, served Friday morning with the group’s signature yellow shirts visible throughout the grounds.
Support from longtime volunteers including the Redding Rodeo Association Auxiliary, Redding Women’s Rodeo Association, and Redding Junior Rodeo Association.
The Queen program continues to represent the rodeo proudly at events across the North State. All proceeds and volunteer efforts help fund scholarships and donations to local nonprofits—true to the “Cowboy Way.”
World-Class Rodeo Action
Fans can expect high-stakes competition across all the classic PRCA events:
Bull Riding – The crowd favorite, where fearless riders take on 2,000-pound animals for eight seconds using only one hand and a braided rope.
Bareback Riding – Often called the most physically punishing event, riders mark out the horse and spur while enduring intense jolts.
Saddle Bronc Riding – The classic event emphasizing grace, timing, and synchronization with the horse.
Team Roping – Header and heeler working in sync to catch and secure a steer.
Steer Wrestling – Explosive speed and strength as cowboys slide from horseback to take down a steer.
Tie-Down Roping – Precision ranch work turned rodeo skill.
Barrel Racing and Breakaway Roping – High-speed women’s events that never fail to thrill spectators.
The grounds sit alongside the Sacramento River, giving the event its “Buckin’ by the River” nickname and a unique scenic backdrop in Redding.
In 2023, the 75th anniversary drew record crowds of over 20,000 and featured the inaugural inductions into the Redding Rodeo Hall of Fame. Organizers hope to build on that momentum this year.
Tickets and Info
The 78th Redding Rodeo runs May 13–16, 2026. For tickets and the latest details, visit ReddingRodeo.com or contact the ticket office at tickets@reddingrodeo.com.
Whether you’re a longtime rodeo fan or looking for a fun family outing, the Redding Rodeo delivers authentic Western excitement, community pride, and plenty of dust-kicking action. See you at the Posse Grounds—let’s make it another record-breaking year. 🤠