Nearly 11,000 people packed the Poway Valley Riders Association Arena for the 54th annual Poway Rodeo on Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26, with both evening performances selling out despite temperatures in the mid-90s.

Rodeo chairman Murray Bankhead told the San Diego Union-Tribune that an estimated $9,000 was raised for Sam's Posse, a San Diego County nonprofit that provides custom adaptive bikes to children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. Final totals had not been confirmed as of Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The money came from tips collected at beverage bars throughout the two-day event, according to Sam's Posse. Each custom bike, built by Freedom Concepts, costs between $5,000 and $7,500. Most insurance companies classify adaptive bikes as "recreational," leaving families to cover the expense on their own.

The Poway Rodeo has partnered with Sam's Posse since 2021 to fund the bikes.

"We try to make it an affordable family-friendly event and we succeeded," Bankhead said. "The patrons were extra generous with tips to help Sam's Posse buy adaptive bikes for children with physical disabilities."

The event, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), featured three shows: a Friday evening performance and two Saturday performances. The Saturday afternoon show drew crowds even as heat climbed into the mid-90s, Bankhead said.

Beyond the arena, the rodeo hosted a Sam's Posse Round-Up Rodeo play day on Saturday afternoon for more than 50 children of all abilities, according to the Poway Rodeo website.

The day after the rodeo wrapped, Poway High School football players showed up to volunteer. Interim head football coach Ryan Hernandez posted on X that the players "gave back to the community" on Sunday, Sept. 27.

@CoachRyanFB: "Proud of our players who gave back to the community today! Had a great time helping out for the Poway Rodeo! #BleedGreen #TitanPride #HayBalesAreHeavy"

The rodeo is a 100% volunteer organization. It traces its roots to 1973, when Poway Valley Riders Association members John Walker and Jack Miller, along with the Lions Club and the Poway Chamber of Commerce, staged the first event. This year's theme was "The Legacy Continues."

Each adaptive bike Sam's Posse delivers is custom-built for its rider, and the program serves individuals aged 5 and up across San Diego County.