Cave Creek Rodeo Days are here! Taking place March 23rd-26th get ready for Cave Creek Arizona’s annual rodeo, “A Western Tradition since 1977!”
Located at the Cave Creek Memorial Arena, the Cave Creek Rodeo Days is a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo that has made quite an impact in its community since its inauguration in 1977. Consisting entirely of volunteers, the non-profit Cave Creek Rodeo Days, Inc. has been the key to the great praise and success the rodeo receives each year.
With goals to preserve the past, present, and future of Cave Creek’s western heritage, the Cave Creek Rodeo Days rodeo has created an avenue for philanthropy in the community. With thousands of visitors each year and help from volunteers, patrons, sponsors, and the community of Cave Creek. From breast cancer awareness organizations, and domestic violence awareness organizations, to veteran aid assistance, many charitable donations have become a reality thanks to this annual rodeo extravaganza.
As stated on the website, the organization’s mission is to “support scholarship avenues, exposing our western heritage to youth and continue the tradition of giving back to the local community and state charitable causes, through the wonderful exciting sport of a PRCA Professional Rodeo.”
The western celebration kicks off at 9 am on Saturday, March 18th with the Cave Creek Rodeo Days Parade sponsored by Sanderson Ford. Make sure to bring out chairs as you sit and enjoy colorful floats, equestrian teams, musical acts, and more! Following the parade, make sure to head back to the Cave Creek Memorial Arena, located at 37201 N 28th St. Cave Creek, AZ 85331, at 1 pm for Mutton Bustin’! This event is for the little cowboys and cowgirls in the family.
The fun continues Thursday, March 23rd at 5 pm when the gates open for the All Bulls, All Night event, which is a night full of everyone’s favorite event, bull riding! While the gates and vendors open at 5 pm, the first bull bucks at 7:30 pm so make sure to grab your tickets.
PRCA action will kick off on Friday, March 24th with gates opening at 5 pm and the performance starting at 7:30 pm. If one night of rodeo isn’t enough, make sure to come back Saturday, March 25th for performance number two. Gates will open at 5 pm so you can show up early and grab a bite to eat before the show at 7:30 pm. Stick around for the post-rodeo dance at 9 pm sponsored by Harold’s Corral. Rodeo fun will come to an end on Sunday, March 26th with the final rodeo performance. Gates will open at 12 pm and the performance will begin at 2 pm.
Whether you are at the parade, rodeo, or both, make sure to stop by and say hello to the recently crowned 2023 Cave Creek Rodeo Days Royalty Court, Queen Mary Norton, and Teen Queen Isabella Schofield.
The 2023 Queen of Cave Creek Rodeo Days, Mary Norton is 21 and was also the 2019 Miss Teen Rodeo Arizona, during which time, she developed her platform “Every Moment Matters”. In and out of rodeo, she uses this to inspire everyone she meets that even the small moments are just as important as the big and exciting ones. She hopes to have the opportunity to continue this with the Cave Creek Rodeo Days throughout this next year.
The 2023 Teen Queen of the Cave Creek Rodeo Days, Isabella Schofield, is 15 and a sophomore at Cactus Shadows High School. Isabella has lived in Cave Creek for 12 years and is currently competing in the Queen Creek Junior Rodeos. Isabella’s little sister and two older brothers have taught her a lot about working with horses and roping. Isabella also learned from her father who worked on a ranch as a teenager and competed in rodeos in college.
As dedicated horsewomen, students, community members, and much more, Mary and Isabella will be busy visiting rodeos across the state of Arizona and representing Cave Creek on their journey. Make sure to catch them light up the rodeo arena as they welcome you to this year’s Cave Creek Rodeo Days celebration!
For more details on Cave Creek Rodeo Days and how you can purchase tickets, visit the Cave Creek Rodeo Days website, CaveCreekRodeo.com.
A Note On the Cave Creek Rodeo Days Board President, Mike Poppenwimer
A business owner from Colorado, Mike has experience in not only restaurant management and operations, but also in event planning. Mike also volunteered in a sub-committee for Cheyenne Frontier Days and planned and operated live bull riding in his Fort Collins, Colorado business. Mike believes in preserving the western lifestyle and heritage that is so cherished and revered in Cave Creek, Arizona. On a personal note, Mike is married and has 3 children and 2 grandchildren, and lives in Carefree, Arizona. Mike enjoys spending time with his family, horse activities, hiking, and is an avid supporter of our Cave Creek community through volunteerism.
Mike was the past president of the Kiwanis Club of Carefree and volunteers in several other community events. Mike Poppenwimer believes in the importance of remembering and appreciating our American Western heritage. “Our western heritage is part of our American Identity,” says Poppenwimer. “We can help to preserve and enjoy this heritage by honoring the tradition through our Cave Creek Rodeo Days. The Cave Creek Rodeo brings our community together to embrace the western way of life through volunteerism and western events.”
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