[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For any cowboy or cowgirl who loves the thrills and spills of a good old-fashioned rodeo, Wilcox, Arizona was the place to be from October 1-4. The 64th Annual Rex Allen Days Rodeo, an Old West tradition that residents look forward to every year, brought together some of today’s most popular rodeo stars as well as a variety of exciting events. With media coverage from the Cowboy Lifestyle Network, Earnhardt Auto Road Team, and Ak-Chin Indian Community, this year’s event was bigger and better than ever.
Event History
The Rex Allen Days Rodeo has a rich and varied history. From its beginnings in 1951, what’s known as “four days of fun–Wilcox style” has become an event that generations of families and competitors have enjoyed. Whether it’s the annual Cowboy Hall of Fame banquet or the various activities for children such as Stick Horse Barrel Racing or Dummy Roping, the four-day celebration has always kept people coming back for more. As it has grown through the years, additional activities such as the Rodeo Queen pageant, parade, and showings of old Rex Allen movies have made the celebration a great reason why people flock to Wilcox each October.
Rodeo Events
As is the case each and every year, the Rex Allen Days Rodeo had plenty of exciting competition in numerous events. Some of the events this year included:
Steer Wrestling
Bull Riding
Barrel Racing
Calf Roping
Saddle Bronc
Team Roping
Breakaway Roping
And to add to the excitement of the events, famed rodeo announcer James Horchasitas was at the microphone calling all the action that each cowboy and cowgirl experienced each night. Using his unique style and personality to describe the action, James made the event even more memorable for all in attendance.
Additional Entertainment
Along with the usual bull riding and other events over the four days, there were plenty of other ways people were entertained in Wilcox, Arizona. Rex Allen Jr. made his usual appearance at the festivities, and got to see Boot Barn’s Race to Rex. In addition, Saturday featured the Last-buck Dance with Jed Morrison, with the Singing Cowboy Buck Helton on Sunday doing his best to make each and every cowgirl swoon. So as this year’s event concluded, everyone in attendance was already making plans to be in Arizona next year to enjoy the festivities. And for those who found themselves standing beside the statue of Rex Allen himself, they just might have thought they saw a smile come over his face for a brief moment.
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I grew up on a Midwest farm with dirt under my fingernails and the sound of wind rustling through cornfields. My childhood was all about 4H – raising pigs and horses, learning to bake and sew, and discovering the magic of transforming a garden into jars of summer sunshine. Those years taught me the value of hard work, the thrill of seeing a project through to the end, and the simple joy of creating something beautiful. A country girl with a need for speed and a thirst for adventure. Maybe that's why I love the feeling of wind in my hair – whether I'm cruising down a dusty road on my Harley or tackling a mountain trail on my trusty mountain bike. Some of my earliest memories of rodeo are watching my father compete at small local events. That's also where my love for country music comes in – long car rides listening to 8 tracks. The lyrics and melodies always spoke to my soul. These days, you'll find me cheering on the cowboys and cowgirls at rodeos, two-stepping to my favorite bands, belting out a country tune at a concert or sharing stories and laughter with friends around a bonfire. When I'm not soaking up the country life and getting my boots dirty, I'm a nurse, caring for folks in my community. Follow along for more stories from the heart of rodeo and country life!
