The 54th Poway Rodeo opens Friday, Sept. 25, with three Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association performances across two days. This year's theme honors the people who founded the event in 1973.

Rodeo chair Murray Bankhead said the overarching theme, "The Legacy Continues," honors past, present and future generations who have kept the rodeo going. Each of the three performances carries its own tribute: Friday evening's "Honoring the Legends" will recognize families of the rodeo's founders. Saturday afternoon's "The Future of Rodeo" spotlights young competitors. Saturday evening's "Today's Trailblazers" salutes the stock contractors, volunteers and organizers who run the show, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

"Most of them are no longer with us, but we will be bringing their families here in recognition of what they started," rodeo secretary Darci Van Meter said of Friday's founders tribute.

All three performances take place at the Poway Valley Riders Association Arena, 14336 Tierra Bonita Road. Friday's show starts at 7:30 p.m., with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Saturday performances are at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Events include bull riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping, bareback riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding and team roping. Junior barrel racers who qualified for the competition follow the professional barrel racing at each show, with buckles awarded to the three fastest times.

Mutton bustin' is sold out for all three performances. Twelve riders per show, each weighing 50 pounds or less and at least 4 years old, will try to ride a sheep bareback.

Sam's Posse and Fund-A-Bike

Before the Saturday afternoon rodeo, the Sam's Posse Roundup Rodeo begins at 10 a.m. The free event is open to children ages 5 and up with intellectual and physical disabilities and their parents. Children experience rodeo activities using specially modified setups in a safe environment, according to the Poway Rodeo website.

Sam's Posse, a Vista-based nonprofit founded by Buck and Deorah Burt in memory of their late son Sam, also partners with the rodeo on a Fund-A-Bike fundraiser. The rodeo's sponsor page states the partnership provided custom bicycles to three children in need in 2026.

The rodeo supports several charities, including the Poway Community Foundation, Rady Children's Hospital, the Golden Circle of Champions, the Poway High School Booster Club and the Warrior Bonfire Program. More than 250 volunteers run the entirely volunteer-staffed event, which organizers say draws 12,000-plus attendees.

Rodeo royalty and entertainment

Poway Rodeo Queen Kate Richardson, 19, of Imperial Valley, and Junior Queen Riley Kirkland, 15, a Ramona High School student who has logged more than 200 volunteer hours in 2026, will appear throughout the weekend. Rodeo clown Danger Dave Whitmoyer brings crowd-interactive slapstick comedy to each performance.

Boot Scootin plays live and hosts line dancing from when gates open until 7 p.m. both nights. After each evening show, Patrick Howard Trampus and the Honky Tonk Nights perform from 10 p.m. to midnight. The after-party is free with a rodeo ticket and is a 21-and-older event.

Tickets and parking

Evening general admission is $35, with preferred seating at $40. Saturday afternoon prices are lower, starting at $20 for adults. Kids Buck Day during the 1 p.m. Saturday show offers $1 general admission and Kids Zone rides for children 12 and under with a paying adult. A Poway Kiwanis-sponsored Kids Fun Zone with inflatables and an obstacle course opens at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

All sales are cashless. Tickets are available only at powayrodeo.com. Off-site parking is $10 at the Circle K and Trinity Church lots on Twin Peaks Road. VIP on-site parking is $30, and ADA parking is $20.

Coming up

  • Thursday, Sept. 17: Local Hero Storytime about the Poway Rodeo, 10:30 a.m., Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road.
  • Thursday, Sept. 17: Pre-rodeo mixer hosted by the Poway Chamber of Commerce, 5:30–7:30 p.m., Pedder Ram commercial truck center, 13864 Poway Road. Registration at Poway.com.
  • Friday, Sept. 25: Rodeo performance, 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sept. 26: Sam's Posse Roundup Rodeo, 10 a.m. Rodeo performances at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.