Pony Express re-ride gallops into Folsom, Sacramento this week

The National Pony Express is riding the Historic Pony Express Trail from St. Joseph Missouri to Sacramento and once again Folsom will be a big part of it. On Thursday, June 16 Historic Sutter Street will be one of historic route's stops as it travels into Sacramento to conclude its 2022 run. The annual re-ride is a 10-day, 24-hour per day event that will travel the Pony Express National Historic Trail, now a component of the National Trail System that is managed by the National Park Service. After starting in Missouri on June 6, the ride travels through Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada before trekking into California. Personal mail and commemorative letters are being carried by the multiple horse and rider relays a total of 1,966 miles. The Pony Express is set to make its Folsom appearance and rider exchange at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Folsom History Museum at 823 Sutter St. next Thursday before the next rider takes off toward Sacramento where the ride concludes later that same afternoon. The Folsom festivities are set to begin at 11 a.m. with the swearing in of the latest rider, prior to the arrival of their predecessor, who will make their way down Green Valley Road and Over Folsom Dam Road before arriving on Sutter Street. This special visit is a great opportunity for a family outing. Youngsters and adults can visit with the arriving and departing riders as well as community members to learn about the history of the Pony Express and its significance to Folsom and take advantage of photo opportunities as history is relived right where it originated. There is no charge for the event but it is recommended to arrive in plenty of time prior to the estimated arrival of the rider in the event their trek travels faster than expected. With the reopening of the region and lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, it's a great opportunity to make it an evening in Historic Folsom and grab dinner at one of the many restaurants, dessert, drinks or do a little shopping prior and following the event. The ride will conclude in Sacramento at 4:30 p.m. in the area of 2nd and J streets after passing through multiple areas of Sacramento. To see a complete schedule of the re-ride, visit www.nationalponyexpress.org.