Casa Grande Cowboy Days and O’odham Tash Rodeo and events continue long-standing traditions

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The Casa Grande, Az Cowboy Days, and O’odham Tash Rodeo events offered thrilling competition and fun activities in February for all to enjoy.

Photo courtesy of Casa Grande, AZ Cowboy Days and O’odham Tash

Part of Casa Grande, Az for over 100 years, Cowboy Days and the O’odham Tash Rodeo celebrate the area’s rich Indian American heritage. The city of Casa Grande transforms into a colorful festival full of rodeo events, Indian American arts and crafts, carnival fun, and more.

Photo courtesy of Casa Grande, AZ Cowboy Days and O’odham Tash

The O’odham Tash Parade took to the streets of downtown Casa Grande on Saturday, February 15, complete with floats and entries on horseback. Ak-Chin Indian Community Tribal Council Chairman, Robert Miguel, was honored to serve as parade Grand Marshall. Miguel grew up on a small ranch in the Ak-Chin Indian Community, and as a child, he attended the O’Odham Tash parade, rodeo, and other events every year.

Photo courtesy of Casa Grande, AZ Cowboy Days and O’odham Tash

Ak-Chin Indian Community is mainly of Akimel O’odham and Tohono O’odham tribes and is one of the major sponsors of the O’odham Tash Rodeo activities. Gila River, Salt River, Pima tribes, along with the O’odham tribes, are the most celebrated tribes during this 100+ year-long event.

Photo courtesy of Casa Grande, AZ Cowboy Days and O’odham Tash

Ray Champ served as the O’odham Tash Rodeo announcer. Champ is originally from the Crow Reservation in southern Montana. He belongs to the Professional Bull Riders Association, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Indian National Finals Rodeo, and the Northern Rodeo Association, among others. Champ divides his time between professional rodeo announcing and raising cattle and quarter horses on his family’s ranch in Montana.

Photo courtesy of Casa Grande, AZ Cowboy Days and O’odham Tash

Pony Express riders delivered formal invitation letters from the Mayor of Casa Grande to several neighboring dignitaries on horseback, encouraging them to attend Casa Grande Cowboy Days and the O’odham Tash Rodeo. It’s an annual tradition for many in the community and surrounding areas.

Photo courtesy of Casa Grande, AZ Cowboy Days and O’odham Tash

Rodeo competition began Friday, February 14, with breakaway and tie-down roping. Then the full slate of rodeo events happened February 15-16, showcasing top rodeo athletes. Donovan Yazzie was the Men’s All-Around Champion, and Devyn Dennison was the Women’s champion.

Photo courtesy of Casa Grande, AZ Cowboy Days and O’odham Tash

If you missed this year’s fun, make sure you head on down to next year’s Casa Grande Cowboy Days and O’odham Tash Rodeo!

Carolyn Sostrom

Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle. She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*. With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower. She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix. Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.