Picture courtsey of Tucson Rodeo Parade Site

A reporters 1925 account of the first Tucson Rodeo Parade

"It was Saturday, February 21, 1925 and in Tucson, Arizona, excitement was everywhere. This community of 34 thousand souls was getting ready for a thing called La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, the Celebration of the Cowboys. Thousands of visitors had arrived for the festivities and rooms were as scarce as snowdrifts. Cowpokes drifted in to pay their entrance fees, parade contestants turned up to register and long lines of prospective spectators waited to buy tickets for the western show. The sun had just begun to peek through gray skies raising the mercury to a comfortable 68 degrees. An eager crowd lined the route and 300 persons waited to fall into procession. Gear was checked, horses calmed, hats adjusted, drumheads tightened. The signal was given promptly at 10:30 and the La Fiesta de los Vaqueros parade moved out onto Congress Street and headed east."

Each February since 1925, Tucsonans have enjoyed La Viesta de los Vaqueros, "the Celebration of the Cowboys," spotlighted by The Tucson Rodeo Parade, held on the Thursday of Rodeo Week. The Tucson Rodeo Parade is one of the city's favorite events and is a great exhibition of the Old West. Schools and many local businesses are closed on Parade Day each year in order to participate. 200 plus floats are entered in the parade.  Each year,  over 200,000 people enjoy the western parade and floats,  horse-drawn bugies, school marching bands, Mexican folk dancers and western riders. None of which are motorized! This years event will be held Feb. 16-24, 2008,  the 83rd Annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. The Parade is held on Thursday February 21, 2008 and there is grandstand seating on Irvington and South 6th for $6 for adults and $4 for children or you can view along the route for free, just bring a chair! This is an event to see. You can get more information regarding the parade at www.tucsonrodeoparade.com.

Arizona host many Rodeo's, the Phoenix Rodeo, the Prescott Rodeo, the Sonoita Rodeo and Tucson's own Rodeo, "La Fiesta de los Vaqueros,", this year being held Feb. 16-24 at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. 6th Ave.  Log on to www.tucsonrodeo.com, to find out schedule of events and prices.