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Loading ...PAYSON RODEO
ARIZONA RODEO
The 125th Payson Rodeo, the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo, takes place in Payson, Arizona over the third weekend of August 2009.
Dating from 1884, it has had to concede the title of OLDEST to Prescott, Arizona whose 1888 event has claimed the title on a technicality in that its first rodeo was a formalised event with admission charges and prize monies. Unable to use the word oldest, the organisers of the Payson Rodeo settled for the title of The Oldest Continuous Rodeo.
Payson in Gila County sits at the geographic centre of Arizona. The area around the town is now known as Rim Country rather than an earlier name of Zane Grey Country. The famous author first arrived in 1918, bought land and was a prolific author and film maker.
The first Payson Rodeo in August 1884 saw local ranchers and cowboys testing their roping and bronco riding skills against each other. Early schedules included silver dollar pitching, Cock Fights, greased pig contests and foot races. A timed event from horseback involved pulling up a chicken buried up to its neck in the street. Contemporary animal welfare organisations might not approve of this today.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association which sponsors the 2009 event believes it is the Best Small Rodeo in The World.
The 2009 Doins Rodeo includes all the traditional events, in four separate performances, such as Barrel Racing, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Bull Riding and Team Roping. Mutton Bustin is for the kids under six years of age to last 6 seconds riding on a sheep.
Unusual and unique is the Tough Enough To Wear Pink, benefit evening, in aid of Breast Cancer research. First introduced at the 2004 Wrangler Finals, where most contestants actually wore pink shirts. The idea is to bring a cancer survivor along with the family for an evening of fun.
The 2009 August Doins Rodeo Roundup Parade takes place on 15th August. The parade will march down historic Main Street to Sawmill Theatres. Local businesses, civic groups, Rodeo Queens and clowns will please young and old.
If you have time after the weekend, visit The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park which has the world’s largest Travertine Natural Bridge. Have a flutter at The Mazatal Casino which is operated by the Tonto Apache Reservation or join the rock hounds around Payson looking for quartz crystals, geodes, agate and onyx stones.
The 125th Worlds Oldest Continuous Rodeo will delight the whole family, so head on down to the Payson Rodeo.
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