Author: Kuhl

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.

While all rodeos are special events, there are some that have a uniqueness all their own. Such is the case with the Tohono O’odham Nation Rodeo and Fair, which always draws a great crowd each and every year. This year’s event, the 80th edition, was no exception, as it ran from February 1-4 at the Eugene P. Tashquinth Sr. Livestock Complex, which happens to be located near Sells, AZ.

Offering a variety of events not seen at most other rodeos, this year’s gathering proved to be even more spectacular than in years past. The Cowboy Lifestyle Network, Ak-Chin Indian Community, Earnhardt Auto Centers, and Papa John’s Road Team was in attendance in order to provide this great and content of all things western.

Rodeo Events

Those who attended the Tohono O’odham Nation Rodeo and Fair in Sells, AZ had plenty of fun thanks to exciting events that kept everyone on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Among the events for fans to enjoy was the All Indian, All Indian Junior, and All Indian Masters Rodeos, Team Roping, Steer Wrestling, Wild Horse Race, and the very popular Bull Bash.

Special Events

While the Tohono O’odham Nation Rodeo and Fair in Sells had plenty of great action for cowboys and cowgirls to enjoy, there was also many special events to captivate fans as well.

Some of the most anticipated included a parade, live music, pow wow, arts and crafts, and plenty of food vendors serving delicious food each day. And of course, the gathering would not have been complete without the many traditional performances and games, which allowed fans to experience the unique culture that makes the Tohono O’odham Nation so special.

Make Plans to Attend

If you just can’t wait to attend this great rodeo and fair in Sells with your favorite cowboy or cowgirl, then make plans now to attend this wonderful western event next year in 2019. Whether you’re eager to see the Bull Bash, Wild Horse Race, or eat some of the mouth-watering food while watching the pow wow and other Tohono O’odham Nation traditional performances and games, there’s no doubt finding your way to Sells will be well worth the effort. For fans ages eight to 80, attending this unique western event will indeed be memorable. Be sure to join Cowboy Lifestyle Network for the 81st Annual Tohono O’odham Nation Rodeo & Fair in Sells, Arizona next year!

Horses Help is offering a spectacular educational event on Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies!  Have you ever wanted to know what equine therapy or activities are and how they are beneficial? How does riding or groundwork with horses help youth and adults with physical, emotional or cognitive diagnoses?

Perhaps you have a family member or friend that may benefit from these types of services, you want to volunteer in a program or strive to be a certified instructor or therapist.  Would you like to view videos and learn what services are available and the type of certification facilities and instructors should pursue? Now is your chance!!

Saebra Pipoly is the Program Director for Horses Help, a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center and she is the Path Intl. Region 10 Communications Chair. She will be presenting at Horses Help on Tuesday, November 7th from 6:00-7:30 pm to share her knowledge and experience.  There will be time at the end of the presentation to answer questions you may have on this industry or how to seek out services.

Horses Help is offering this event free to those that pre-register.  Horses Help is located at 2601 E. Rose Garden Lane, Phoenix 85050 (close to 101 X Cave Creek Exit).  Please contact Dr. Pat Evans, Community Education Coordinator, to reserve your seat at pat.e@horseshelp.org.

The PRCA Red Dirt Rodeo at the Tulsa State Fair adds a great deal of entertainment to the Fair, which is the city’s largest event for the whole family and features livestock, carnival rides, fair foods, world-class concerts, and much more. The Fair covers an 11-day span from September 28 through October 8, is held annually starting on the fourth Thursday after Labor Day, and is one of the premier fairs in the United States, having had an estimated attendance of 1,206,000 million in 2016.

A main feature this year is the professional Red Dirt Rodeo that will be held October 6 and 7 in the historic Pavilion, where each seat provides a great view of all the entertainment.

Tickets

Fair Gate Admission for the PRCA Red Dirt Rodeo at the Tulsa State Fair is included with a Rodeo ticket but only for the performance day. However, a weekend pass includes a ticket to both rodeo performances and the State Fair Gate Admission.

Events

With the theme this year of “Take a Spin!” and proudly sponsored by FORD, this Rodeo consists of six PRCA events added to the Grand Entry, the Calf Scramble, and lots of cowboys and cowgirls. Included is bull riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping, and bareback riding.

Calf Scramble

At the Rodeos held at the 2016 Tulsa State Fair, 4-H and FFA members had a chance to “catch a calf.” Ten winners received a certificate for $800.00 to use towards the purchase of an animal to show at the 2017 Fair. Calf Scramble’s goal is for exhibitors to gain knowledge about animal care.

Concerts

Ticket Price: $35.00 for one or $60.00 for both
Each concert will start immediately after the rodeo at approximately 8:30 PM and consist of action and memorable music performances.

Friday, October 6 – Casey Donahew Band

They always strive to give more than what is expected. They put on a show with plenty of energy and a lot of crowd interaction by encouraging singing along.

Saturday, October 7 – Aaron Watson

In the last 15 years since his debut album entitled “A Texas Café”, this singer-songwriter with his Gibson Hummingbird guitar has released about 10 studio albums. His most recent “Real Good Time” that he is touring with made it to number 9 on the US Country Charts. He has the audience singing along from the beginning, dancing, and jumping around.

Media Team

Covering the PRCA Red Dirt Rodeo at the Tulsa State Fair will be Cowboy Lifestyle Network’s Ak-Chin Indian Community, Earnhardt Auto Centers, and Papa John’s Pizza Road Team. The Network is the leading online and community source for everything Western and Country.

California Rodeo Salinas 2017 Highlights Video

The competition began in 1911 and was originally known as the Wild West Show. One year later, 4,000 spectators watched as cowboys and cowgirls from the community attempted to outdo each others time while riding bucking broncos. By 1914, the annual event was renamed the California Rodeo. During the 1940s, celebrity western stars began attending the event. Brahma bull riding was also introduced into the competition. Since that time, the pageantry, the number of events and competitors have gradually increased.