Tag: AZ
Prescott Rodeo Days
It’s one of the most exciting times of the year – Prescott Rodeo Days.
They’re right around the corner beginning June 28 and ending July 4. This year marks the 129th annual World’s Oldest Rodeo event at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds.
Since 1888, this event is highlighted with eight breathtaking performances.
July 4, 1888, became the birthday of professional rodeo when a group of merchants and professional businessmen from Prescott organized the first formalized “cowboy tournament” and offered cash prizes.
A cowboy named Juan Leivas walked off with rodeo’s first professional title and these “cowboy contests” caught on. From then on, rodeo has grown into a multimillion dollar enterprise with more than 700 professional rodeos in 50 states.
The earliest rodeos in Prescott mainly appealed to the local cowboys and ranchers because it gave them the chance to bring their ranch-bred skills to town for people to see. Prescott’s rodeo “arena” was merely a tract of land roped off to keep the broncs from running away after they unseated their riders. Exact numbers of total contestants were often confused but total purses of less than $1,000 were common.
Sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association (PRCA), the World’s Oldest Rodeo consists of both rough stock, or judged events (bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding) and timed events (steer wrestling, tie-down and team roping, and barrel racing).
Each cowboy and cowgirl competes for either the best time or the highest score to ultimately win cash prizes and buckles.
Most performances are held at 7:30 p.m. The exceptions are performances at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday and Monday.
In addition to the shows, there are plenty of acts to keep your family entertained. There will be a dance, a kiddie parade and a rodeo parade, an arts and crafts show, cowboy church and a wild horse race.
For a complete listing of events, visit www.worldsoldestrodeo.com.
It’s gonna be a fun time here in Prescott, so come join us!
Summer Fun at Prescott’s Sharlot Hall Museum
Plan now to attend the 19th annual Prescott Indian Art Market July 9 and 10 at Sharlot Hall Museum. The museum’s garden area will be the host to this Indian-art show featuring exquisite carvings, ceramics, sculpture, paintings, hand-woven baskets, blankets, and distinctive jewelry. Artists producing […]
The Prescott Bluegrass Festival
The Prescott Bluegrass Festival is Approaching Fast
Celebrating its 35th year, the Prescott Bluegrass Festival is set for June 25 and 26.
What started as a fiddle contest dedicated to a local fiddler, took on the form of a traditional bluegrass festival in the mid-1980s. It remains the only free bluegrass festival of its kind in Arizona.
The headliner for the year is Bluegrass Etc. The group is internationally known and tours around the globe. Bluegrass Etc. consists of John Moore on the mandolin, guitar and vocals; Dennis Caplinger who play banjo, fiddle and does vocals; and Bill Bryson on bass and vocals. The band has its roots in bluegrass music, but has evolved over the years into a more dynamic and eclectic acoustic band.
Other performers of the festival include Burning Heart Bluegrass, known for their high-powered vocals and soaring harmonies, they take their repertoire from old and new classics.
Also playing will be James Reams and the Barnstormers, performing their contemporary take on traditional bluegrass. The Old Blue Band will also be performing bluegrass the old fashioned way. They’re focused on bluegrass founders and are dedicated to the preservation of bluegrass music.
The Ping Brothers, consisting of Frank and Doug, grew up on a farm in the hills of Kentucky where their mother taught them their first chords on a guitar. They learned to play at a young age and have performed all over the country.
A schedule of events can be found HERE.
Like so many other festivals in Prescott, this one will be held in the Courthouse Plaza. The Bluegrass Festival stage will be located on Goodwin St. along the south side of the plaza. The festival is free and food and beverages will be on sale at the show.
Bring a picnic and your dog if you like, but alcohol is not allowed. Raffle drawings will also be held for several great prizes and you don’t need to be present to win.
