Event Dates: May 20, 2011 - May 22, 2011

The Penn Valley Rodeo is attended by those interested in rodeo, cowboys, horses, good clean family fun, and an interest in the Old West and the way things used to be. In 2010, attendance to the rodeo over the three days was 5,000 rodeo enthusiasts. Each year the attendance grows as the rodeo becomes more well known.

Friday evening and Saturday afternoon performances are full rodeos featuring saddle bronc riding, bare back riding, bull dogging, team roping, barrel racing and the highlight of any rodeo-bull riding. Sunday afternoon is the Keith Wilson Memorial Junior Bull Ride. There is always a rodeo clown, intermission performances and this year we are adding our very own Penn Valley Drill team. We have at least two food venues on site run by local service groups. The Cook House serves BBQ tri tip meals with all the fixin's and the Snack Shack purveys hot dogs, soda, chips, in short-all American food. Our Beer Garden has several brands of beer on tap and we also serve wine for those with a more refined taste!

The Penn Valley Community Rodeo was originally started by the Penn Valley Fire Department Corporation in 1956 to raise funds for the fire department. The rodeo event remained under the fire department until 1994. In 1995, when the association was disbanded by the community, the rodeo was turned over to the Penn Valley Hi-graders Lions Club. After financial restrictions prevented the 47-year-old event from being held in 2004, a group of Penn Valley residents organized an effort to bring the rodeo back in 2005. Thus, the Penn Valley Community Rodeo Association was formed.

The Penn Valley Community Rodeo Association, a non profit corporation, actively supports the community. Each year during the Rodeo, any community service club that would like to have a booth to raise funds for their organization is welcomed. Additionally, the Penn Valley Community Rodeo Association gives a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior from either of the local high schools. In 2010, we were fortunate as one of our sponsors, Nor-Cal Beverage, matched our scholarship with another $1,000! The association also donates or supports a service group or individual that presents a need to the association and actively supports the Penn Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The Penn Valley Rodeo is 7 miles west of Grass Valley on Highway State Route 20. Take Interstate Hwy 80 east or west to Hwy 49 to Grass Valley. When you come to Hwy 20 head west to Penn Valley. We are at 10513 Spenceville Rd. Behind the Fire Department.

Admission fees have been the same for the last few years. Advance tickets have been $10, available at almost all businesses in Penn Valley and several businesses in Grass Valley and Nevada City. Tickets at the door are $15. School age children are always free with a paid parent ticket.

In order to participate, you must pay the admission price and be willing to have fun and enjoy a bit of our western heritage.