Sep 16 2009
The Reno Rodeo really is wild and rich, and lots of fun too. According to the Reno Rodeo Association, the Reno Rodeo draws over 120,000 fans and gives the local economy a $40 million boost. It's a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) sanctioned event with the fourth biggest purse for competitors on the PRCA circuit. It even gets TV coverage on CBS Sports, Fox Sports Net, ESPN, and others.
Reno Rodeo Events
The Reno Rodeo is big time rodeo. It's held at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center and features all the rodeo action you would expect; saddle bronc, bull riding, bareback, women's professional barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, drill team competitions, and team penning and cutting. Special events include PRCA Xtreme Bulls, World's Greatest Roper, and the Reno Rodeo Invitational Amateur Team Roping Competition. Look for top notch performances from professional cowboys and cowgirls, who will be trying to get a share of over $500,000 in prize money. The Reno Rodeo Schedule of Events will fill you in on what is happening and when.Concurrent with the Reno Rodeo, a carnival will be happening on the Events Center grounds. Discount unlimited carnival ride passes are available for $16 from Scolari's and Sak 'N Save markets.
Reno Rodeo Parade
The Reno Rodeo Parade turns downtown Reno into a colorful display of rodeo pagentry. It starts at 10 a.m. and runs through downtown Reno along Virginia St. and Center St. Come early to get a good viewing spot. The 2009 Reno Rodeo Parade is on Saturday, June 20. I have some great pictures of the Reno Rodeo Parade.Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive
Want to experience what it's like to be a real cowboy or cowgirl? Participate in the Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive and you'll find out; heat, dust, dirt, cattle, horses, sore butt, and everything else that goes along with living on the trail and punching cows for five days.The cattle drive starts in Doyle, CA, and arrives at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center five days later. I've watched the arrival and it's really fun to see a bunch of cows being herded through the city streets. One of the best places to watch is the corner of Oddie Blvd. and Sutro St., a block north of the rodeo grounds. The 2009 Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive is scheduled to arrive on Thursday, June 18 at noon. Past experience tells me the time is a mere estimate, so don't try this unless you have some time to hang around for a while.
Reno Rodeo Foundation
The Reno Rodeo is a non-profit organization that supports much more than just bulls, horses, and cowboys. The Reno Rodeo Foundation donates money for literacy programs and scholarships, various children's charities, high school rodeo programs, and Marvin Picollo School Therapeutic Equestrian program.Reno Rodeo Tickets
The Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center is located at 1350 N. Wells Ave., Reno, Nevada. You can purchase Reno Rodeo tickets online or by calling (800) 225-2277. Tickets are available in person at the Pavilion on the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center grounds and at Lawlor Events Center box office on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. There is no service fee on tickets purchased at the Pavilion or at Lawlor. Ticket prices range from $12 to $25, based on seating and performance date. For more information, call (775) 329-3877.Reno Rodeo Parking
Reno Rodeo parking at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center is $6. The Reno Rodeo public parking web page has details on navigating to the parking area at the Events Center.Chalk the Walk Streetpainting Festival - cancelled for 2009
Chalk the Walk will not be held this summer. Visit the website for more about possible future events.Source: Reno Rodeo Association and the RSCVA.
