It is showtime in Redding, California as things kick off with the Xtreme Bulls Wednesday night and the town is hopping, according to Rodeo President Bennett Gooch.
“The town is going nuts everyone from sponsors, to people who want to attend, our fans, contestants are starting to roll into town. A lot of big things, a lot of lead up events to this rodeo for the 75th anniversary,” Gooch said. “We’ve broke records in sales and attendance...Pretty exciting to see that kind of activity.”
With this year being a milestone year for the Redding Rodeo, the Hall of Fame rodeo started a Hall of Fame of its own on Tuesday.
The inaugural class includes one of the rodeo’s original founder John Balma, specialty act John Payne, 1987 World Champion Bull Rider Lane Frost and 1987 PRCA Bull of the Year Red Rock.
“It only seemed fit to have our Redding Rodeo Hall of Fame this year and we’ll carry the tradition on,” Gooch said.
The Redding Rodeo is one of two PRCA Playoff Rodeos in Northern California in the span of a few weeks, alongside Red Bluff, something Gooch said is great from the sport.
“Two of the top rodeos in the nation within a few weeks of each other and then everyone can go off and graduate high schools and colleges and enjoy their summertime. I think that helps with both of these rodeos selling out, it just creates a frenzy,” Gooch said.
The action begins Wednesday at 10 PM ET and continues nightly on The Cowboy Channel and Cowboy Channel+ through Saturday.