Tucson rodeos celebrate their history as one of the home of the Old West. In February, Tucson hosts a nine-day rodeo extravaganza, the La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (Celebration of the Cowboys) rodeo. This event is such a major celebration, many schools and businesses close on Thursdays and Fridays, the days of the parades and other family-oriented festivities.
Since 1925, the La Fiesta de los Vaqueros rodeo has celebrated the history of the cowboys and ranks as one of the top 25 professional rodeos in North America.
The Tucson Rodeo Parade features nonmotorized vehicles. Mexican folk dancers, marching bands and horseback riders participate in this two-hour event.
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) world champions participate in events. The rodeo features bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronco riding, roping, women's barrel racing and bull riding.
Each day of the rodeos, children participate in events such as the Dodge Mutton Bustin', an event in which 4- to 6-year-old boys and girls don protective gear and ride sheep.
This event at the Tucson rodeo showcases the talents of young riders from ages 5 to 12. They compete in roping, steer riding and barrel racing events.
