Get excited because it’s time for the annual PRCA Tucson Rodeo! Pull out your favorite cowboy hat and grab your boots, the Celebration Of The Cowboys kicks off February 19th-27th. Some of the greatest cowboys and cowgirls of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association are headed to town! Don’t miss all the behind-the-scenes action on your favorite Cowboy Lifestyle Network social channel.
The Tucson Rodeo became a PRCA sanctioned rodeo in 1944 but the fun started long before that. In 1925 Leighton Kramar was struck with an idea of how to draw more people to Tucson in the mid-winter months, while also celebrating its western history. That idea has now exploded into one of the most exciting events during the PRCA season, La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros. This rodeo combines western tradition with new-age excitement and has even been inducted into the PRCA Hall of Fame in 2008 for its incredible achievements.
This is a 9- day long celebration for the cowboys and cowgirls competing in the PRCA rodeo events such as bull riding, bareback, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, and barrel racing. There’s a large purse of money to be won, and these competitors are ready to leave it all out on the arena floor!
While in town for the rodeo, visitors can also expect to do some sightseeing between performances. Tucson is home to the Catalina Highway which makes you feel like you vacationed around the country within a 30 mile drive! While driving the scenery changes before your eyes, starting with cacti in the dry desert to reaching the snow dusted town of Summerhaven. There you can catch a ski lift and hang out on the beautiful snowy mountain top!
It is no surprise though that one of the biggest highlights to the community is the beloved Los Vaqueros Rodeo. Rodeo competitors and fans quickly realize how much the western way of life can bring a community together. Businesses around town proudly display rodeo posters, some restaurants add fun rodeo themed items to the menu, and The Tucson School District even gives students days off of school in observance of rodeo week!
Full Schedule of Events
Saturday, February 19th | Tucson Rodeo Opening Day
- 11 a.m. – gates open
- NOON – Coors Barn opens – enjoy live feed of the Tucson Rodeo*
- 12:30 p.m. RAM Mutton Bustin’ and Justin Junior Rodeo
- 2 – 4:30 p.m. ProRodeo Competition, Poster Contest Winner Presentation
- 4 – 8 p.m. Coors Barn Dance – $5 online or at the door; 21 years old and older only. *Access with purchase of a rodeo ticket plus $5 per person; includes admission to after-rodeo Coors Barn Dance.
Sunday, February 20th | Second Performance
- Pink Day – Cowboys & fans wear pink to support breast cancer initiatives. Chicks n Chaps breast cancer research fundraising event returns. Sponsored by Arizona Oncology Foundation. Visit the Chicksnchapsaz.org now.
- 8 a.m. Chicks n Chaps Women’s Rodeo Clinic
- 11 a.m. – gates open
- NOON – Coors Barn opens – enjoy live feed of the Tucson Rodeo*
- 12:30 p.m. RAM Mutton Bustin’ and Justin Junior Rodeo
- 2 – 4:30 p.m. ProRodeo Competition
- 4 – 8 p.m. Coors Barn Dance – $5 online or at the door; 21 years and older only.
- *Access with purchase of a rodeo ticket plus $5 per person; includes admission to after-rodeo Coors Barn Dance.
Thursday, February 24th |
Tucson Rodeo Parade 9 A.M.
Over 200 non-motorized floats are on display down the one and one-half mile parade route beginning at Park Ave. and Ajo Way, proceeding south on Park to Irvington Rd. Tickets for Grandstand seating at Irvington and South 6th Ave, $10 for adults, $5 for kids under 13. Call (520) 294-1280 for grandstand tickets.
Tucson Rodeo | Third Performance
- 11 a.m. – gates open
- NOON – Coors Barn opens – enjoy live feed of the Tucson Rodeo*
- 12:30 p.m. RAM Mutton Bustin’ and Justin Junior Rodeo
- 2 – 4:30 p.m. ProRodeo Competition
- 4 – 8 p.m. Coors Barn Dance – $5 online or at the door; 21 years and older only.
- Access with purchase of a rodeo ticket plus $5 per person; includes admission to after-rodeo Coors Barn Dance. FRIDAY, FEB. 25- TUCSON RODEO, FOURTH PERFORMANCE 11 a.m. – gates open NOON – Coors Barn opens – enjoy live feed of the Tucson Rodeo
- 12:30 p.m. RAM Mutton Bustin’ and Justin Junior Rodeo
- 2 – 4:30 p.m. ProRodeo Competition
- 4 – 8 p.m. Coors Barn Dance – $5 online or at the door; 21 years and older only.
- *Access with purchase of a rodeo ticket plus $5 per person; includes admission to after-rodeo Coors Barn Dance.
Saturday, February 26th – Fourth Performance
- 11 a.m. – gates open
- NOON – Coors Barn opens – enjoy live feed of the Tucson Rodeo*
- 12:30 p.m. RAM Mutton Bustin’ and Justin Junior Rodeo
- 2 – 4:30 p.m. ProRodeo Competition
- 4 – 8 p.m. Coors Barn Dance – $5 online or at the door; 21 years and older only.
- *Access with purchase of a rodeo ticket plus $5 per person; includes admission to after-rodeo Coors Barn Dance.
Sunday, February 27th – Final Performance
- 11 a.m. – gates open
- NOON – Coors Barn opens – enjoy live feed of the Tucson Rodeo*
- 12:30 p.m. RAM Mutton Bustin’ and Justin Junior Rodeo
- 2 – 4:30 p.m. ProRodeo Competition
- 4 – 8 p.m. Coors Barn Dance – $5 online or at the door; 21 years and older only.
- *Access with purchase of a rodeo ticket plus $5 per person; includes admission to after-rodeo Coors Barn Dance.
All events are at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. 6th Ave. unless otherwise noted. Cowboy Lifestyle Network hopes you will join us in celebrating Tucson’s rich history and the rodeo thrills, spills, and excitement at La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros this February! Tickets can be purchased here!
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