The 2018 Gold Rush Days is an annual GCPRA Wickenburg Rodeo, which was held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 9 through 11, 2018, at the Everett Bowman Memorial Rodeo Arena in Constellation Park. The first rodeo performance was on Saturday, February 10, at 2:00 PM, and the second performance was on Sunday, February 11, at 2:00 PM.
This event was a celebration of being a town popular for gold mining and ranching in long-ago days.
The event began 70 years ago and draws many thousands of visitors these years for all the exciting action. Wickenburg, Arizona is known for legendary team roping competitions and cowboy culture. It has evolved into something really special and is a mecca for rodeo competitors and fans across the nation.
The Library of Congress recognizes the Gold Rush Days as one of America’s Living Legacies.
Parade: “Ropin’ the West” was the main theme, and the parade was on Saturday, February 10, at 10:00 a.m. This event proved to be, yet again, one of Arizona’s largest with more than 100 entries including 1,000 horses, floats, classic automobiles, marching bands, and youth groups. This annual event was named the Number 3 Parade by Arizona Edventures’ for their “Top Ten Arizona Parades to Attend.”
Opening Ceremonies: Opening ceremonies occured on Frontier Street on Friday, February 9, at 10:00 AM with stuntman and gunslinger Joey Dillon together with GCPRA officials and members.
Competitions: The rodeo events at the Gold Rush Days at GCPRA’s local Wickenburg Rodeo displayed Bull Riding, Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Tie Down Roping, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, and Breakaway.
Classic Car Show: Fans of the event even enjoyed a car show this past Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Frontier Street that displayed all kinds of classic cars and automotive attractions.
Old Fashion Melodrama was presented by The Desert Stagers on February 9-11, which started at 7:00 p.m. in the Saguaro Theater.
Artisan Fair: 150 arts and crafts exhibitors was held in the historic district on Valentine Street for a carnival, an art show, gold panning, free entertainment, and more.
Carnival: Brown’s Amusements Carnival opened in downtown with plenty of rides, food and fun!
Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo Association (GCPRA) is the largest professional rodeo association in Arizona and is actually in four states. Hundreds of members also belong to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), and the top cowboys and cowgirls from western states compete in their rodeos.
Media Team
Along with coverage of the 69th Annual Gold Rush Days And Senior Pro Rodeo In Wickenburg, AZ by the Cowboy Lifestyle Network, the leading online source for everything Country and Western. Additional coverage will be handled by the CLN, Ak-Chin Indian Community, Earnhardt Auto Centers, and Papa John’s Pizza Road Team next year during the 71st Annual Gold Rush Days Celebration and GCPRA and Senior Pro Rodeo in Wickenburg, AZ.
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