Dalton McMurtrie competes in the bull riding event at the Smackdown Tour at Fuji Park in Carson City, Nev., on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
After selling out the event for the past two years, the Carson City Smackdown Bull Riding event is returning this year with a two-night show.
“We had 600 people in the parking lot we had to turn away last year,” said promoter and livestock provider Manuel Souza. “We had little kids crying because we had no place to put them. It was terrible.”
The show, which will run June 5 and 6 at Fuji Park, will feature 30 bulls each night along with barrel racing, wild ranch broncs and mutton busting.
“The bull riders we’ve had for the last couple of years are all coming back,” Souza said. “We’ve got some really good guys coming.”
He said it will be a fast-paced show moving through one high-energy event to the other.
“People can’t believe how clickety, clack, clack it happens,” Souza said. “We try not to have any down time.”
Part of the appeal, he said, is the interaction with the crowd. He takes time to mingle with the audience.
“It’s interpersonal,” he said. “They want to know it’s about them. It’s not just about me. We want people to be entertained.”
Families will find entertainment for everyone. Local children are invited to participate in the sheep riding contest, mutton busting. They can also meet and get autographs from the bull riders at the event or after parties at the Casino Fandango, which is sponsoring the event.
“It’s a chance for little kids to see a real cowboy,” Souza said. “My bull riders are really good about talking to people. We want to give families a good place to go.”
Tickets can be purchased at the Casino Fandango, 3800 S. Carson St. or the Carson City Visitors Bureau, 716 N. Carson St. They can also be purchased online at visitcarsoncity.com or on the Visit Carson City app.
Cost is $12 in advance, $15 at the gate or a two-day pass for $20.
Gates open each day at 4:30 p.m., and the show starts at 6. “I think it’s just going to be tremendous,” Souza said. “I’m really excited about it.”
But he reminded those interested to get their tickets early.
“I don’t want anyone left standing in the parking lot,” he said.