Pony Express re-ride slated for Folsom Wednesday evening

After being cancelled last year during the pandemic, the National Pony Express is set to ride the the Historic Pony Express Trail once again beginning June 16 and Historic Folsom will be on of its stops Wednesday evening shortly after it departs Sacramento and heads to its final destination of St. Joseph, Missouri, where it will arrive on June 26. 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 which if managed by the National Park Service. After starting in Sacramento Wednesday afternoon, the ride will travel through California before crossing Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and Missuori. Personal mail and commemorative letters will be carried by the multiple horse and rider relays a total of 1966 miles spanning from Sacramento to Missouri. The first rider is set to depart Pony Express Plaza in Old Sacramento at 2nd and J Streets at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday. From there the ride will pass through multiple areas of Sacramento before it gallops into Historic Folsom and makes it's stop at the Folsom Museum at 823 Sutter Street at 6:29 p.m., according to the official schedule from the NPEA. This special visit is a great opportunity for a family outing as youngsters and adults can take a moment to visit with the arriving and departing riders as well as members of the community 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, desert, drinks or do a little shopping prior and following the event. To see a complete schedule of the re-ride, visit www.nationalponyexpress.org.