Fortuna Rodeo

July 15 through 21, 2013

This years theme "Ridin with the Red, White and Blue" kicks-off this years rodeo.

BULLS, BANDS, & BREWS is a new event this year at the Fortuna Rodeo. The action will take place Saturday night in Rohner Park at the Fortuna Rodeo Grounds. There will be two bands playing for your entertainment along with a rip roarin’ bull riding competition and a game of Cowboy Poker.

The two featured bands are the Roadmasters and the Renegade Outlaws. They will offer up a mix of country music along with rock and roll for your listening enjoyment. They will be performing from 7:00-8:00 PM and then intermittently between the bull riding sets as well as finishing out the evening.

The bull riding will consist of 30 of the top riders in Northern California, Nevada and Oregon. They will be trying to make an 8 second ride on the exceptional bucking bulls provided by the West Coast Rodeo Company. There will be three qualifying sets of ten riders, followed by a short go of up to 10 riders. The purse is estimated at over $3000.00! It’s gonna be WILD!

To top off the evening there will be a hand of Cowboy Poker. A table with up to 10 chairs will be set up out in the arena; players will ante up $25.00 and will be dealt a hand of Texas Holdem’ then an angry bull will be turned out. The bull will make sure no one is bluffing and clear out the players who are. The last player sitting in his chair at the table will be the winner and go home with $500.00! Sounds like a train wreck!

The gates will open at 7:00 PM and the cost of admission will be $5.00 per person. So come on down Saturday night and enjoy yourself at Fortuna Rodeo’s

Come enjoy small town Americana. The good old days are still happening every year at the Fortuna Rodeo. Held in Fortuna since 1921, the Fortuna Rodeo has evolved into a fun-filled week of activities for the entire family that culminates in the California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association (CCPRA) Finals.

President's Message:

Welcome to the 2013 Fortuna Rodeo Week. It’s been 92 years since the first edition and it just keeps getting better. We have a fun packed week planned, with something for everyone. The Fortuna Rodeo Association Board of Directors strives each year to put on a week of activities that everyone in the community can afford and enjoy. This years Grand Marshal is Shirley Bartow and he will be honored as part of the parade.

As you can see, we have a lot going on this week, and we could not do it without a tremendous amount of community support. All the local businesses that sponsor the rodeo with their contributions deserve a “BIG” Thank You! So please make a note of our sponsors and let them know you appreciate what they’re doing for our local community.  The Fortuna Rodeo would be impossible to pull off without the cooperation and help of the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department, Fortuna Chamber of Commerce and the City of Fortuna. They all work tirelessly to make the Fortuna Rodeo a success and show off “The Friendly City”.

Lastly, I would like to comment on the positive economic impact the Fortuna Rodeo has on our local economy. Literally thousands of people descend on Fortuna and the Eel River Valley during rodeo week. These people spend money in Fortuna and the surrounding communities that they otherwise would not. This influx of money not only helps local retailers, but also many area nonprofit organizations and the City of Fortuna. All profits from the Fortuna Rodeo can only be used to improve Rohner Park and is so stipulated in the Association’s bylaws. To date, the Fortuna Rodeo Association has contributed tens of thousands of dollars on park projects. Rohner Park is a gem and we are proud that we have been a big part of keeping it shined up.

So bring the family down during Fortuna Rodeo Week and help us celebrate “Ridin’ with the red, white and blue!” You won’t be disappointed.

Happy Trails,

Shannon McWhorter, President