Historic snail race, dunk tank and festival atmosphere draw big crowds
The snails may have moved slowly, but Saturday’s celebration moved at full speed as crowds filled Folsom City Lions Park and the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary to mark the city’s 80th birthday.
From the moment the event began, families, residents and visitors streamed into the park, creating a steady flow of activity throughout the day as Folsom celebrated eight decades since its incorporation with a lively mix of tradition, entertainment and community pride. The atmosphere built quickly and remained constant, with a steady hum of laughter, music and conversation echoing across the park as neighbors gathered, reconnected and shared in a milestone moment for the city.
At the center of it all was the long-awaited return of the Great Folsom Snail Race, a quirky and beloved tradition that hadn’t been seen on this scale in decades.
Originally launched in 1981, the snail races became a staple of Folsom life throughout the 1980s and 1990s, bringing together families, businesses and civic leaders for a competition that was never really about speed, but about creativity, laughter and hometown spirit. On Saturday, that tradition came crawling back to life, drawing participants and spectators eager to see which competitor would claim the Grand Champion trophy that had generated so much buzz leading into the event.
Throughout the day, racers competed in youth, general and business divisions, advancing through heats and rounds as crowds gathered around the course to cheer on their chosen competitors. The youth division featured many participants who had taken part in pre-event races held across the community, while local businesses and residents brought their own energy to the competition.
While speed may not have been the defining factor, enthusiasm certainly was.
In addition to the races themselves, creativity was on full display in the event’s specialty categories, including Best Presentation, Best Named and Best Dressed Snail Handler. From cleverly named competitors to themed displays and spirited costumes, participants embraced the playful nature of the event, adding another layer of entertainment for spectators.
As the races progressed and finalists emerged, anticipation built toward the crowning of the day’s champion, with the trophy standing as a centerpiece symbol of the event’s return and a visual reminder of the tradition’s revival.
“It’s been 26 years since we’ve had a snail race in Folsom,” Mayor Justin Raithel said during the celebration, reflecting on the moment as the tradition returned. “And the nostalgia was apparent from the throwback T-shirts on display to the stories from parents about their snail’s success back in their day.”
That nostalgia was visible across the park, where longtime residents shared stories of past races while a new generation experienced the event for the first time.
“Many parents brought their kids out to have some small-town fun like they had back in the ’80s and ’90s,” Raithel added, describing the cross-generational appeal that helped define the day.
While the snail race anchored the celebration, the event itself stretched far beyond the race course, transforming Lions Park into a full-scale community festival that carried the unmistakable feel of an old-fashioned country fair or traditional founders day gathering.
The main stage remained active throughout the day, beginning with a morning kickoff that introduced a rotating lineup of performances and presentations. Appearances followed from community leaders, drawing crowds toward the stage area as attendees paused from activities to take in the program.
Mid-morning presentations included remarks from community leaders, while representatives from Assemblyman Josh Hoover’s office and Sen. Roger Niello also took part in the program, presenting official resolutions honoring the City of Folsom on its 80th anniversary. The recognition added a ceremonial moment to the celebration, underscoring the city’s legacy and continued growth.
Later in the morning, the celebration reached one of its most symbolic moments as the crowd joined together for a community-wide “Happy Birthday” singalong marking Folsom’s 80 years. Immediately following the song, attendees made their way toward the Dessert Walk area where complimentary birthday cake was served, adding a festive and memorable touch to the milestone occasion.
Performances throughout the day featured a diverse mix of local talent, including Sutter Street Theatre, Lit N’ Fit, Leighton Dance Project, Hawkins School of Performing Arts, Adhya Shrestha, Flipside, Farley Court and Michael Sean Miller, ensuring there was always something happening on stage and keeping the energy high across the event.
One of the most popular interactive attractions proved to be the Dessert Walk itself. Participants gathered in timed rounds, circling a numbered layout as music played before quickly claiming spots when it stopped. Winners were announced each round, earning cakes and baked goods donated by local businesses, which were later picked up at the Folsom Public Library.
Across the park, the festival atmosphere was unmistakable.
Carnival-style games dotted the landscape, with children and families moving eagerly from booth to booth, trying their luck, collecting prizes and soaking in the lively environment. The sounds of bells ringing, laughter echoing and music drifting from the stage blended together into a vibrant backdrop that carried throughout the afternoon.
Train rides circled through the park, offering families a chance to take in the celebration from a different vantage point, while lines formed at food trucks serving everything from quick snacks to indulgent treats.
Inside the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, visitors explored educational exhibits and animal encounters, with docents stationed throughout the grounds offering biofact displays and interactive learning opportunities near key exhibits. The zoo remained a steady draw, particularly with free admission offered to the first 500 children 12 and under with a paid adult, drawing families eager to extend their experience beyond the park.
One of the day’s most interactive—and easily one of the loudest—attractions came in the form of the Leadership Folsom dunk tank fundraiser, which quickly became a centerpiece of laughter, friendly rivalry and crowd participation.
From the moment the event began, a steady stream of attendees gathered around the tank, many eager to make a donation for the chance to take their best shot. For some, it was all in good fun. For others, it was a playful opportunity to “settle the score” with their favorite—or perhaps least favorite—local leader.
Each throw brought anticipation, followed by cheers and laughter when a well-placed toss sent another familiar face plunging into the water.
Mayor Justin Raithel proved to be one of the most popular targets, drawing a strong line of participants and taking more than a few splashes to the delight of the crowd.
For Taryn Grows, the moment turned especially memorable when her own boss stepped up. Choose Folsom CEO Joe Gagliardi connected on his third pitch, sending Grows into the tank.
Also taking their turn in the hot seat throughout the day were Folsom Police Chief Adam Green, Lt. Lou Wright, Assistant Fire Chief Brian Beck, Folsom High School Principal Howard Cadenhead, Jim Snook of Snook’s Candies & Chocolate Factory and Choose Folsom Ambassador Chair Reese Punter, each drawing their own mix of cheers, laughs and well-aimed throws.
Beyond the fun, the dunk tank supported improvements to the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, adding a meaningful purpose to one of the day’s most popular attractions.
Dozens of local organizations and businesses contributed to the celebration with interactive booths, engaging with attendees and reinforcing the community-centered nature of the event. Among them was Folsom Times, joining fellow community partners in celebrating the city’s milestone day and connecting with readers throughout the event.
Additional activities, including tug-of-war competitions benefiting local youth programs, added to the day’s participation-driven atmosphere, with people of all ages joining in and contributing to the lively, inclusive feel of the event.
Saturday’s celebration marked a milestone rooted in Folsom’s history. The city officially incorporated in 1946 following a 285-168 vote, with Eugene Kerr serving as its first mayor. From its beginnings as a Gold Rush settlement known as Granite City and Negro Bar to its growth as a railroad hub following the arrival of the Sacramento Valley Railroad in 1856, Folsom has evolved into the thriving community it is today.
As the event unfolded, it became clear that the celebration was about more than marking 80 years—it was about bringing the community together in a way that felt authentic, familiar and deeply rooted in shared experiences.
From the slow crawl of snails racing toward a championship trophy to the splash of local leaders hitting the dunk tank and the laughter shared across the park, the day delivered something that can’t be staged—a true hometown experience that felt unmistakably like Folsom.
And for those who attended, it was a celebration that moved at just the right pace.
Official tallies of the money raised for the Folsom Athletic Assoication, the main benefactor from the event as well as the amounts for the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary project were still being totaled Saturday afternoon and were expected to be a good amount from Saturday’s turnout at the long planned event. More to come on that!
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