Tucson Rodeo – Tucson, Arizona
Welcome to the world of Rodeo in Tucson. Not only is this a huge event consisting of 6 days of action, beauty and talent but the opportunity to learn more about the rodeo is also available through the museum. Tickets for the Rodeo range from $12 to $19 and can be purchased in advance or at the gate.
There are seven professional rodeo events included in the Tucson Rodeo. Of these events, six are sanctioned by the Professional Cowboys Rodeo Association with women’s barrel racing being sanctioned by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. The six events that are sanctioned by the Professional Cowboys Rodeo Association are, bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, team roping and bull riding.
Although some may think that the animals must be mistreated to enter a rodeo, it is the opposite. These animals are well cared for by those that provide them to the rodeo since they are entered into many different rodeos around the country. A bucking horse or bull earns half the score recorded by the cowboy, so the better the animal performs, the higher the score. The horses ridden in the steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping and barrel racing are those of the competitors and many have been together for many years. They are a team that works together and train together to be the best they can be.
During the Tucson Rodeo week there is the largest non-motorized parade in the nation with western-themed floats and buggies, festival Mexican folk dancers, historic horse-drawn coaches, marching bands and many outfitted riders showing off their beautiful mounts and tack. The route begins at Park Avenue and Ajo Way, continues south to Irvington Rd, then heads west on Irvington Rd to South 6th Ave.
There are grandstands for viewing which are located on Irvington at South 6th Ave. with tickets being $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. You can stand (or bring your own chair) along both sides of the route at no charge. This route is approximately 1 mile long. There are normally about 200,000 people that come out to see the parade.
The Rodeo organizers do provide shuttle service from area malls so you don’t have to fight the traffic or parking issues. Take the shuttle, the cost is around a dollar and saves you lots of grief!
The Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum is located on the northeast corner of S. 6th and Irvington Rd. Here you can see over 100 buggies, wagons and Old West artifacts which will give you a good history of the life of the cowboy in earlier days. There is also a typical western street with various shops, and historical memorabilia of Tucson for you to see.
The Museum is open Monday through Friday during January and February from 9 am to 4 pm and will be opened upon request on Saturdays. If you want to arrange a special time for your tour year round you can contact the museum directly at 520-294-1280 or 520-294-1289.
The tour lasts about 1.5 hours. Included in the tour are vehicles manufactured by Ronstadt, Studebaker, Brewster, Healey and others, and used in films starring Maureen O’Hara, Ava Gardner and John Wayne are among our offerings. Historic vehicles used by Maximilian, Mexico’s ill-fated ruler, and Howell Manning of the Tucson Manning family.
The Tucson Rodeo is held at The Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. 6th Ave., Tucson, Arizona.
Gates open at 11 am most days except for the barrel racing which begins at 8.
Directions
From I-10: take Park Ave. exit South; turn West (right) on Irvington Road
From I-19: take Irvington Road exit East
Related posts:
I would like to know when the 2010 rodeo is.I have company coming Mar 23 to apr 20 and they like rodeos. thank you
The rodeo dates for 2010 are Feb. 20 – 28.