Aug. 7, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
The Schuylkill Stampede Rodeo will be back this fall with bull riding, line dancing, goat-snuggling and more.
The gates at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds will open at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. Admission to the festival grounds is free. The rodeo will start at 5 p.m. and requires tickets. See the statement below for details.
Attractions will include mechanical bull riding, a petting zoo, pony rides, free line dancing, food trucks, Yuengling beer and two country bands performing throughout the day.
Here’s the statement from the Pottsville Area Development Corp.:
The Schuylkill Stampede Returns: “This Ain’t Our First Rodeo!”
Bigger. Bolder. Better Than Ever.
POTTSVILLE, PA — Dust off your cowboy boots because the Schuylkill Stampede Rodeo is riding back into town and after a wildly successful inaugural year, this ain’t our first rodeo!
The Schuylkill Stampede returns on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds, promising an action-packed day of western excitement, live entertainment, delicious food, and family fun.
The festival kicks off at 1:00 p.m. with FREE admission to the festival grounds, where guests can enjoy a full afternoon of activities before the rodeo begins at 5:00 p.m.
The highlight of the day will be the professional rodeo featuring heart-pounding events including bull riding, barrel racing, mutton bustin’ and other crowd favorites as talented cowboys and cowgirls compete in true western fashion. Whether you’re a lifelong rodeo fan or experiencing your very first Stampede, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience.
But the excitement doesn’t stop inside the arena.
Throughout the day, festivalgoers can enjoy:
● Mechanical Bull Riding
● Petting Zoo
● Pony Rides
● Goat Snuggling
● Free Line Dancing
● Country-Themed Marketplace
● Local Artisan Vendors
● Delicious Food Trucks
● Yuengling Beer
● Two Live Country Bands performing throughout the day
New for 2026! Grab your boots and hit the dance floor as the Schuylkill Stampede adds two hours of FREE line dancing to this year’s festival from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Beginners and seasoned dancers alike are welcome to join the fun and learn some classic country dance moves before the rodeo begins.
Rodeo Tickets Available
While festival admission beginning at 1:00 p.m. is FREE, tickets are required for the professional rodeo beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Guests may choose from:
● General Admission Rodeo Tickets
● VIP Tickets, which include preferred seating, food, beverages, and the best views of all the rodeo action.
“This Ain’t Our First Rodeo” is this year’s theme, celebrating the success of last year’s inaugural event and inviting everyone back for an even bigger and better Schuylkill Stampede.
Bring your family, invite your friends, and put on your cowboy boots for a day of rodeo excitement, great food, live music, and fun for all ages.
For rodeo tickets, VIP packages, vendor information, and event updates, visit www.downtownpottsville.com or follow Schuylkill Stampede on Facebook.
For Sponsorship opportunities email Info@PAD-CO.com
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 