The Sac-Town Rodeo is back at the Cal Expo Rodeo Arena this Saturday from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The two-day event promises bull riding, bronc riding, mutton bustin’for the younger competitors, and the crowd favorite cowboy poker, all billed as“where tradition meets tribute.”
That tribute is the heart of the whole thing. Proceeds benefit The Firefighters Burn Institute, which supports burn victims, their families, and firefighters throughout Sacramento and Northern California. Executive producer David Halimi says he and his brother founded the rodeo to honor the heroic actions of local firefighters, and the first event sold out, turning a one-time idea into an annual tradition.
The cause traces back to one of Sacramento’s darkest days. In 1972, a jet crashed into the Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor, killing 23 people and leaving many with serious burn injuries. At the time, Sacramento had no burn unit. Fire captain Cliff Haskell founded the Burn Institute in December 1973, and by 1974 the region finally had the burn care it needed. Tickets for this weekend are available at sactownrodeo.com, and you can learn more about the Burn Institute at ffburn.org. So, who are you bringing to the rodeo this weekend?
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
