Author: Taryn Cantrell

A celebration rich in history and culture, Casa Grande’s Cowboy Days and O’odham Tash festivities are back again for the new year! Mark your calendars folks because Casa Grande’s annual celebration is right around the corner. Cowboy Lifestyle Network hopes you will join us this February 16th through the 24th for this year’s Cowboy Days and O’odham Tash in Casa Grande, Arizona!

Celebrating Arizona’s western and Native American heritage, The Casa Grande Cowboy Days and O’odham Tash celebration brings in visitors from across the beautiful state of Arizona and beyond. Located at the Casa Grande Rodeo Grounds, this year’s two-day, All-Native American rodeo, featuring members of the Ak-Chin, Gila River, Salt River, Pima, and Tohono O’Odham Nations, will sport the best of the best ropers, barrel racers, and beyond. The action is non-stop all week as cultural events, rodeo action, carnival rides, musical entertainment, and annual parade take the community of Casa Grande by storm.  

The action kicks off February 16th at 10am sharp with the O’Odham Tash Parade. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to get the best view of the parade possible. The action hits the rodeo arena next for the first rodeo performance of the weekend. Rodeo gates open at noon and the performance will begin at 1pm. Sunday’s rodeo performance will follow the same schedule.

Throughout the weekend and following days a variety of cultural events, arts festivals, live musical performances and more will take place. For a full list of activities, visit casagrandecowboydays.com.

While the O’odham Tash Rodeo takes place opening weekend, the rodeo action doesn’t stop there! The Mike Cervi Memorial Roping event will take place February 19th and 20th, A Ranch Rodeo will occur February 23rd and 24th, and a community Barrel Race on February 23rd. The Central Arizona College Rodeo Team in conjunction with the Casa Grande Elementary School District will host the 3rd annual, Exceptional Rodeo for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Harry Luge will be bringing in the post-rodeo entertainment at the Harry Luge Rodeo Dance and Concert on February 22nd.

We hope you join Cowboy Lifestyle Network and the city of Casa Grande as we indulge in the history and culture Casa Grande has to offer! Come on out and help kick off the festivities at this year’s Cowboy Days and O’odham Tash Rodeo!

Ticket Admission is as follows:

O’odham Tash Rodeo

Adults: $15.00

Children 12 and Under: FREE

Mike Cervi Memorial Roping

General Admission: $15.00

Ranch Rodeo

Adults: $10.00

Children 12 and Under: FREE

Harry Luge Concert & Rodeo Dance

Admission: $12.00

(This event is 21+)

Tickets can be purchased here.

Since its inauguration in 2011, Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek has become an integral part of Queen Creek, Arizona’s ranching and agricultural community. Beginning as a two-day event with an estimated 8,000 guests, Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek has expanded to become one of the fastest growing event extravaganzas in Arizona! Now boasting four days of non-stop action, Roots N’ Boots proudly welcomes well over 15,000 spectators to Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre where the festivities take place each year.

2019 Roots N’ Boots activities will begin Wednesday, March 13th and will run until Sunday, March 17th. Each day is packed to the brim with activities the entire family will enjoy. Some of the activities included are a carnival, after-rodeo dances, horsemanship clinics, petting zoos, Mutton Bustin’, live musical entertainment, mounted shooting, and even a cornhole tournament! A full list of activities can be found here!

Rodeo action will commence on Friday night with Cancer Awareness Night. Rodeo guests and competitors are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness and research. Gates will open at 5pm and the PRCA Pro Rodeo performance will begin at 7pm sharp. The fun continues Saturday night with the rodeo theme, Queen Creek Heritage Night. A rodeo dance will follow both Friday and Saturday night performances. Your last chance to catch the rodeo will be 3pm on Sunday. Gates will open at 1pm. Sunday’s performance is all about our Armed Forces. Make sure to wear your red, white, and blue!

While the PRCA Pro Rodeo brings the action to the rodeo arena each year, another event is a staple and favorite of the Roots N’ Boots celebrations, the Special Kids Rodeo (SKR.) Presented by Elite Community Services, L.L.C., the SKR is a free event for children aged 5 through High School with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The SKR is chock-full of fun, hands-on activities for kids to explore. From touching and learning about different types of livestock feed, cowboy tools and tack to participating in rodeo event games, there is plenty to look forward to at this year’s Special Kids Rodeo! More information about this wonderful event can be found at the Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek Special Kids Rodeo Facebook Page and at rootsnboots.org.  

Make sure to saddle up and join Cowboy Lifestyle Network in celebrating the 2019 Roots N’ Boots rodeo this March!

Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek is proudly presented by Banner Ironwood Medical Center and is hosted by both the Town of Queen Creek and Friends of Horseshoe Park. Friends of Horseshoe Park is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization chartered to support Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre (HPEC) and to promote the rural heritage of Queen Creek. For more on all the great partners of Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek, please see their Facebook page or website.

 

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Saddle up for the Annual Parada Del Sol Parade Saturday, February 9th. Over 30,000 people attend this Wild West Parade. For all info, click on our Bio!

A post shared by Cowboy Lifestyle Network (@cowboylifestylenetwork) on Feb 7, 2019 at 9:02am PST

Looking for something exciting to do with the family this weekend? Well look no further because the 66^th Annual Parada del Sol Parade is right around the corner! This Saturday, February 9^th, Scottsdale, Arizona is bringing the wild west to the streets of downtown Scottsdale. Bringing in over 30,000 spectators each year, Scottsdale’s Parada Del Sol Parade, Western Week, and Trails End Festival are sure to entertain as they provide audience members with a way to peer into the days of the old west as well as an opportunity to enjoy local shopping and dining, live musical entertainment, various community floats, stagecoaches, school bands, equestrian teams, and much more!

While the parade will begin at 10am sharp on Saturday, February 9^th, the action will have begun stirring well before then. Leading up to parade day is Scottsdale’s, Western Week. Packed full of entertainment, educational opportunities, and cultural presentations, Western Week has become a staple in Scottsdale’s Parada del Sol celebrations. Luckily for you, the excitement isn’t over yet! For a full list of remaining activities, click here!

When parade time comes this Saturday, it is all hands-on deck in Scottsdale! Downtown will transform into a Western Wonderland as visitors from around the state of Arizona come to see what Scottsdale has in store for this year’s celebration. With thousands of spectators expected to attend, there is no doubt that food vendors, restaurants, shopping, and live entertainment will be bountiful. Pre-parade entertainment will begin at 9am and includes performances by the famous Spanish Cabalgando X Arizona Dancing Horses & Espinosas Group and the Scottsdale Fire Department Honor Guard Pipes and Drum Corps.

The 2019 Parada del Sol Parade theme is “Arizona Heroes.” This year’s parade will honor late Arizona Senator, John McCain. In an interview with Wayne Schutsky of Scottsdale Progress, Parada del Sol President Wendy Springborn stated,

“Once we had the theme, we started brainstorming about who to invite. Senator McCain had recently passed, so the committee decided it would be our great honor to recognize him as our grand marshal, and who more appropriate than his wife Cindy to represent him in our parade?” (www.scottsdale.org).

Make sure to stick around after the parade for the Parada del Sol Trail’s End Festival. From 12pm-4pm, block party action will take place with kids play areas, petting zoo, live music, dance performances, western reenactments, food trucks and vendors, as well as shopping! Plan for an entire day of family fun and excitement as you participate in the 2019 Parada del Sol Celebrations!

Wickenburg, Arizona, a modern town with an abundant historical past is proud to welcome you to the 71st Annual Wickenburg Gold Rush Days this February 7th-February 10th. Throw on your boots and dust off those cowboy hats because it’s time to hit the trail to Wickenburg, “where the west is still wild!” This February enjoy the thrills of the wild west at the 71st Annual Wickenburg Gold Rush Days. A town known for its cowboys and culture, Wickenburg is proud to bring its western heritage to the forefront as it celebrates 3 ½ days of ranching, rodeo, and gold mining history.

Founded 71 years ago, Wickenburg’s Gold Rush Days has remained an integral part of Arizonan history. In fact, the event is so significant that it is recognized by the United States Library of Congress as one of America’s Living Legacies. Part of that legacy being Wickenburg’s rich past in rodeo and the western lifestyle! The National Senior Pro Rodeo Association (NSPRA) is proud to bring rodeo action to Wickenburg this February. NSPRA rodeo events include Bareback & Saddle Bronc, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding, Tie Down Roping, Ribbon Roping, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, and Ladies and Men’s Breakaway Roping.

Activity kicks off on Thursday, February 7th with the opening of Wickenburg history exhibits at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum at 10am. The fun continues when the Brown’s Amusements Family Carnival opens its gates at 4pm and continues throughout the weekend. Nashville country artist Tracy Bird can be found singing away at the Del. E Webb Center on both Thursday and Friday evening at 7:30pm.

February 8th marks day 2 of activity. Friday morning kicks off early at 9am with classic car shows, an artisan’s fair, arts and crafts for the kids, and lots of high flying carnival rides. Opening ceremonies will officially commence at 10am followed by gold panning and other historical activities and performances.

Saturday, February 9th marks day one of rodeo action! Start your day off bright and early with the Gold Rush Parade, the 4th largest parade in Arizona. The Gold Rush Parade was also named #3 in Arizona Adventures, “Top 10 Parades in Arizona.” Equestrian teams, school bands, various community organizations, and many more will be present at this year’s parade. Gates at the Everett Bowman Arena will open at 12pm. Come ready to shop and grab a bite to eat before the rodeo action begins. The rodeo will officially kick off at 2pm. Throw on your cowboy hat and come support your favorite human and animal athletes!

Historical and modern activities alike will continue Sunday, February 8th. Rodeo ground gates will open at 12pm and the final rodeo performance will start at 2pm. Finish off the evening with a Desert Stagers Melodrama at the Saguaro Theater!

Come join Cowboy Lifestyle Network as we celebrate 71 years of wild western action in Wickenburg, Arizona!

Rodeo ticket pricing is as follows:

Adults:                            $15.00

Seniors (60+):             $12.00

Students (13-17):     $5.00

Child (5-12):                 $3.00           

Under 5:                          FREE

For more information, visit: www.outwickenburgway.com

Come one, come all rodeo fans as we saddle up and head to Arizona’s wild west for a weekend full of rodeo action and community thrills as the 74th Annual Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo takes the stage at the Yuma County Fairgrounds. With 73 years of history beneath them, Silver Spur Rodeo, Inc. is proud to bring PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) action to the desert once again. This year’s rodeo is presented by Rain for Rent®, a world-wide recognized “leading provider of temporary liquid handling solutions including pumping filtration and spill containment” (www.rainforrent.com).

From bucking bulls to bucking broncs and all that falls in-between, the 74th Annual Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo has all your favorite PRCA rodeo events. With three rodeo dates to choose from, come on down and enjoy the show!

The action starts on Friday, February 8th when gates open at 2pm. Come out early and enjoy shopping and a bite to eat before the rodeo! The show will begin at 4pm and is themed “Man Up Crusade Day.” Wear your purple rodeo shirts to support a cause that is bringing awareness to and fighting against domestic violence. The party continues at the Yuma Silver Spur Rodeo Dance hosted by Whiskey Road Saloon from 9pm till 2am.

Saturday, February 9th marks day two of rodeo fun. Enjoy the cool morning air as you attend the Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo Parade featuring various floats, school bands, equestrian groups, and other organizations. Hit the rodeo grounds early at 2pm and prepare for another high-flying, action packed rodeo performance at 4pm. This rodeo performance is all about Tough Enough to Wear Pink. Wear your pink rodeo shirts to support the fight against breast cancer! The after party resumes at Whiskey Road Saloon that evening.

The final day of rodeo will take place Sunday, February 10th. Gates will open at 12pm and the rodeo performance will commence at 2pm. Sunday is Military Appreciation Day, wear red, white, and blue to support our military heroes. Championship rounds will take place and the top cowboys and cowgirls from the weekend’s activities will be awarded their trophy buckles.

Since the 1940s Yuma, Arizona has been celebrating and preserving Arizona’s western heritage through the Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo. Through service, donation, and involvement in the community and its youth, this tradition has continued and grown throughout the years. Join Cowboy Lifestyle Network in celebrating the 74th Annual Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo!

For ticket pricing and information, make sure to check out: www.dirtroadtickets.com  

With The 2019 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo right around the corner, San Antonio proves once again that “Everything is Bigger in Texas!” Mark your calendars rodeo fans for 18 days of wild western action this February 7^th through the 24^th.

With over 2 million visitors each year and over 6,000 volunteers, it is no understatement that the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is one of the largest and most well-known events in San Antonio, Texas. Established in 1949, The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo was a labor of love for Texan volunteers, ranging from ranchers and cowboys to business men and sports-fans who all desired one thing: a coliseum that could be used to facilitate several large community events. Under the direction of Joe Freeman, the movement began. As community support and funding grew, construction of the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum became a reality for San Antonio. Construction began in January of 1948. Today this coliseum is home to The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.

It is thanks to strong community support and involvement that has allowed The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo to make such a momentous impact in the community year after year. “With community, donor and volunteer support, the organization has donated more than $198 million to the youth of Texas through scholarships, grants, endowments, junior livestock auctions, youth western art auction, calf scramble program and show premiums” (www.sarodeo.com). Now that is something to celebrate!

This year, The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is sure to make a splash as they raise the bar for another year of show-stopping pro rodeo, world-class concerts, exhilarating carnival rides, shopping, horse shows, educational presentations, and much, much more! With 18 full days of activity, now is the time to plan your 2019 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo adventure! A full list of events can be found at: www.sarodeo.com.

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo staff are not the only ones preparing for 18 days of action. Rodeo contestants are laying it on the line as they compete for the chance to take home a portion of over $1,500,000 in prize money. This PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) Rodeo is bringing in the best of the best human and animal athletes alike for this spectacular event. Luckily for the audience, entertainment doesn’t end when the rodeo is finished! After each rodeo performance, an award-winning artist will take the stage. Some of the artists performing at this year’s San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo include: Lady Antebellum, Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, and Darius Rucker.

Year after year The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo takes great pride in protecting and promoting the western way of life. The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo mission statement reads, “a volunteer organization that emphasizes agriculture and education to develop the youth of Texas.” Through community education and involvement, The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is active in preserving an integral part of Texas’ history.

Whether your interest lies in the rodeo arena, stock show, concerts, or shopping, there are various opportunities to explore the activities that make The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo such a hit each year! Join Cowboy Lifestyle Network as we saddle up for another larger-than-life adventure in The Lone-Star State!

 

 

 

Saddle up rodeo fans because the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo® is right around the corner! Celebrating 61 years of wild western action, Rapid City, South Dakota is rearing to go as they prepare for the 2019 Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo®. Occurring January 25th through February 3rd, Rapid City encourages rodeo and stock show fans alike to come on out and “Do Big Things!”

With a history rich in farming and ranching and originating from an idea to protect and honor agriculture communities, the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo® was born. With humble beginnings in 1958, members of the Rapid City Chamber Ag Committee aimed to combine the rural lifestyle with the quickly growing urban community of Rapid City. Starting out as a stock show showcasing only three breeds of cattle (Angus, Hereford, and Shorthorn,) the “Winter Show,” as it was originally called, made a splash in Rapid City and continued to grow and thrive. Each year saw great improvement as more breeds of cattle were added to the lineup. In 1966, the Winter Show received the new name, The Black Hills Stock Show® when ownership of the event was passed on to Central States Fair, INC. It wasn’t until 1978 that the first “Winter Rodeo” occurred in conjunction with the stock show.

Since its conception in 1958, the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo® has blossomed into a full-fledged extravaganza. While the stock show itself begins January 25th, the fun begins much earlier. The celebrations commence on January 11th with the Black Hills Stock Show® Press Social & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. In the following days, various events will entertain audiences. Some events leading up to the stock show include National Reined Cow Horse Association competitions, 2019 Best of the West Roping Futurity, and the American Quarter Horse Association Winter Classic. However, this is not all! From live music to the 2019 North American Sheep Dog Trials, there is something the entire family can enjoy. A full calendar of events can be found at https://www.blackhillsstockshow.com/events.

With such success over the years, it’s no surprise that the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo® has made a positive impact in its community.

“In 2012, an economic impact study indicated that Black Hills Stock Show® has an economic impact of $21.9 Million dollars, with a direct economic impact of $15.2 million” (https://www.blackhillsstockshow.com/about.aspx).

Not only does the Black Hills Stock Show® send money back into the community, it also provides job/internship opportunities for locals and scholarship opportunities through the Central States Fair Foundation, “a 501 (c) 3 organization geared to supporting youth, agriculture and long term capital improvements to the Central States Fairgrounds” (https://www.blackhillsstockshow.com/p/about/151).  

Rapid City, South Dakota is proud to invite you to the 61st Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo®.  As stated on their website, “we offer everything western and a little extra too. You won’t have to leave the blacktop to see the real west as we bring it all to you in Rapid City.” We hope you will join Cowboy Lifestyle Network as we head to Rapid City to share in one of the largest celebrations in South Dakota!

Hop online to https://www.blackhillsstockshow.com/p/34 to buy tickets and book your stay at a Rapid, City Hotel.

Since its conception in 1955, Miss Rodeo America, Inc. has provided young women with the opportunity of a lifetime: represent the United States of America as the official spokesperson of professional rodeo. As an ambassador for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA,) rodeo educator for the community, and purveyor of the western way of life, Miss Rodeo America is given the unique opportunity to travel some 100,000 miles across our beautiful country as she attends up to 100 rodeo performances and makes various community appearances throughout the year.

An opportunity such as this one to be cherished and celebrated and it is no wonder that many young women have dreamed of becoming Miss Rodeo America since childhood. However, achieving such a title does not come without hard work and extreme dedication. Each year the Miss Rodeo America Pageant is held in conjunction with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada. State queens from across the country flock to Vegas for a weeklong competition. These empowered, driven young women compete in a variety of areas such as horsemanship, public speaking, personal interview, rodeo, and equine knowledge, current event awareness, and modeling. The Miss Rodeo America Pageant allows the girls to showcase their unique personalities and know-how as the judges work hard to determine who will be the next representative of professional rodeo. 

This year’s competition was nothing short of exciting as 28 state queens from across the country gave it their all for the competition. Wranglin’ in the coveted title of Miss Rodeo America 2019, is Mississippi’s very own pride-and-joy, Miss Taylor McNair.

As the third Miss Rodeo Mississippi to wear the Miss Rodeo America crown, Taylor is making the Magnolia State proud. At 23 years old Taylor has accomplished a great deal. Not only did she represent her home state as the 2018 Miss Rodeo Mississippi, but she also earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business with a concentration on Policy and Law from Mississippi State University. With success in the rodeo arena and in the classroom, Taylor plans to honor her agricultural upbringing by pursuing a Jurisprudence Doctorate  Degree with a Master of Law in Agricultural and Food Law.

Taylor made a splash during the MRA pageant winning awards in personality, appearance, and written test. However, that wasn’t all. Taylor also received the winning Chap Award and the Sherry Smith Memorial Scholarship.

Following in the footsteps of 2018 Miss Rodeo America, Keri Sheffield, and a proud list of former First Ladies of Rodeo, Taylor McNair will travel across America promoting rodeo and the western way of life. In an interview with Kimber Laux of Las Vegas Review Journal, Taylor expresses her platform of encouraging individuality. She states,

“I have always just said, be you. Be yourself. God only made one of you and he gave us each unique skills and each unique talents. Use that; don’t compare yourself to others. Be incredibly and uniquely you, and embrace that in everything you do” (www.reviewjournal.com).

All of us here at Cowboy Lifestyle Network would like to congratulate Taylor McNair on being crowned the 2019 Miss Rodeo America. We wish you a successful and exciting year as you travel “from sea to shining sea” representing America’s oldest sport, rodeo!

There is no doubt that the world of rodeo is marked by a strong sense of comradery. Whether that teamwork is depicted between a cowgirl and her horse in the barrel racing arena, or displayed between a pair of team ropers chasing a steer, the teamwork portrayed by human and animal athletes alike is what propels and preserves the success of rodeo. Because of this strong sense of comradery and family across the rodeo community, when a team member is lost, the entire community gathers together to honor their legacy. 

        Wyatt Althoff, a beloved Arizona cowboy, lost his life August 17th, 2013 when he was involved in a boating accident on Roosevelt Lake. In his 26 years of life, Wyatt made a great impact on his rodeo community. Born into rodeo, Wyatt was an instant success in the arena, winning countless rodeos and championships. In 2008 Wyatt’s success continued when he was named the College National Finals Rodeo “All Around Champion.” Wyatt’s passing shocked the rodeo community. In the years since his passing, the rodeo community has been honoring the legacy of this young cowboy who impacted so many.

        The Grand Canyon Professional Rodeo Association (GCPRA) is proud to present the 2019 Wyatt Althoff Memorial Rodeo. Occurring Friday, January 11th and Saturday, January 12th at 7:00pm at the John Volken Academy in Gilbert, Arizona. This GCPRA rodeo is sure to entertain the entire family as it features all rodeo events, including Bareback, Steer Wrestling, Breakaway Roping, Tie Down Roping, Saddle Bronc, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, and Bull Riding.

The John Volken Academy is located at 26601 S. Val Vista Drive, Gilbert, AZ 85298. Rodeo admission is $5.00 per ticket. Parking on-site is $5.00 per vehicle.

        As a Lead Sanction GCPRA Rodeo, community members interested in competing must first purchase a GCPRA membership. Online entries will open January 5th and will close January 7th at 10:00 pm. More information for entries can be found at www.gcpra.net .

        The Grand Canyon Professional Rodeo Association and the John Volken Academy are proud to honor the legacy of beloved, Arizona cowboy Wyatt Althoff. Cowboy Lifestyle Network hopes that you will join us January 11th and 12th as we celebrate the cowboys and cowgirls like Wyatt Althoff that have made such a lasting impact on our rodeo community.