The 2013 Reno Rodeo is Thursday through Saturday, June 20 - 29. Stay tuned for updated information.
For 2012, the Reno Rodeo runs from June 14 through 23. The Reno Rodeo really is wild and rich, and lots of fun too. According to the Reno Rodeo Association, the Reno Rodeo draws over 140,000 fans and gives the local economy a $42 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 a kid's rodeo, PRCA Xtreme Bulls, Western States Drill Team Competition, and the Reno Rodeo Invitational Amateur Team Roping Competition. Look for top notch performances from professional cowboys and cowgirls, all 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 $20 from Scolari's and Sak 'N Save markets.
Reno Rodeo Parade
The Reno Rodeo Parade turns Reno into a colorful display of rodeo pagentry. It starts at 10 a.m. and runs through downtown Reno along Virginia and Center Streets. Come early to get a good viewing spot. The 2012 Reno Rodeo Parade is on Saturday, June 16. To see what it's like, check out my great pictures of the Reno Rodeo Parade.
Before the parade, you can enjoy a Buckaroo Breakfast cooked up by the Reno Host Lions Club. This pancake breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Virginia Street in front of Harrah's Plaza (by the Reno Arch). Pancakes, sausage, eggs, and drink are $4 in advance from the Lions Club, $5 at the gate.
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. If you want to give cow punching a try, read up on what's involved before filling out an application. Saddle seats for the Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive fill up fast. If you want to go, plan on applying a year in advance.
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 Boulevard and Sutro Street, a block north of the rodeo grounds. The 2012 Reno Rodeo Cattle Drive is scheduled to arrive on Thursday, June 14 at high noon. Past experience tells me the time is a mere estimate, so don't try this unless you have time to hang around for a while.
Reno Rodeo Tickets
The Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center is located at 1350 N. Wells Avenue in Reno. 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 vary depending on seating and performance date. There are a variety of discounts available. Same day tickets are $2 extra. 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 getting to the Reno Rodeo and navigating to the parking area at the Events Center.
Note: There is serious construction happening on I80 in downtown Reno, affecting access to the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center. If you aren't familiar with the area, be sure to read the additional information about getting to the Reno Rodeo during I80 construction.
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.
The Reno Rodeo Foundation will be sponsoring a Special Kids' Rodeo in 2012 on Sunday, June 17. Participation is free and open to special needs people under the age of 18.
Source: Reno Rodeo Association.
