Western
100TH APACHE COUNTRY RODEO & PARADE “100 YEARS: OUR WAY”, Springerville | July 4th, 2012 is the 100th consecutive Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo in Round Valley. The annual parade is the morning of the 4th. Community events include free pancake breakfast by the Eagar Fire Department; skateboard competitions, racquetball competitions, art walk with wine and cheese reception, vendors, bicycle racing, educational forums, and two evening dances at the rodeo grounds. (June 29, 2012 – July 4th, 2012)
20TH ANNUAL COCHISE COWBOY POETRY AND MUSIC GATHERING, Sierra Vista| The Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering is celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of Arizona’s statehood as well as our 20th Anniversary of bringing the best Cowboy poetry and music to Cochise County. Our Gathering is considered by many to be in the top 10 Gatherings in the country! (February 3 – 5, 2012)
2011 ROUNDUP & OPEN HOUSE AT THE EMPIRE RANCH, Sonoita| The 2011 Roundup & Open House at the Historic Empire Ranch celebrates 135 years of ranching history, showcasing past and present cowboy and ranch life at the Empire Ranch. Ranching heritage displays and storytelling, cattle and horse demonstrations of roping and riding, branding, horseshoeing are among the more than 70 presenters scheduled. Historic wagons displays, barbecue favorites and old fashioned Dutch oven desserts, auctions and raffles make for fun, family friendly festivities. (November 5, 2011)
ARIZONA COWBOY POETS GATHERING, Yavapai College Campus Prescott, Arizona Yavapai| Arizona has a rich history in cowboy poetry. Many of what is considered to be classic cowboy poetry today can be attributed to leaders and historical figures in Arizona. Over 50 poets and musicians will perform cowboy songs and poetry in seven venues throughout the campus. (September 15-17 2011)
HASHKNIFE PONY EXPRESS, Holbrook, Payson, Scottsdale |Every year, Arizonans gather to honor the days when mail was delivered the old fashioned way – by horse. The 54th Annual Hashknife Pony Express ceremonial trail begins in Holbrook, stops in Payson, and ends in Scottsdale, delivering first class mail along the way. (February 7-10, 2012)
LA FIESTA DE LOS VAQUEROS, Tucson | Tucson’s oldest community event, La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, is celebrating Arizona’s Centennial at their 86th annual rodeo. The nine-day rodeo celebrates the Western heritage and traditions of Arizona’s cowboys and ranchers and brings in visitors from all over the world. (February 19-27, 2011)
PRESCOTT FRONTIER DAYS® 125TH WORLD’S OLDEST RODEO® , Prescott| This annual event, consisting of an eight performance rodeo, parade, and three night dance, has taken place since 1888. In 2012, the event will focus on the historical happenings in and around Prescott and Yavapai County, including ranching and mining. (Rodeo |June 28-July 3, 2012; Parade | June 30, 2012; Dance | June 28-30, 2012)
PRESCOTT WESTERN HERITAGE DAYS, Prescott | The 2nd Annual Prescott Western Heritage Days event will celebrate the western heritage of Prescott and Yavapai County between 1864 and 1912. The event will be held on Whiskey Row, at Sharlot Hall Museum and various nearby venues and will feature the largest historical reenactment group gathering in Arizona. Family activities will include unique photo opportunities, reenactment skits, a period costume contest and fashion show, cowboy music and poetry, present-day rodeo events, a Wild West show and a film festival with Prescott-area movies. (September 15-18, 2011)
TRAVELING THE COWBOY TRAIL: 100 YEARS OF ARIZONA TALES, Flagstaff | Cowboy entertainers will play music, tell stories and read cowboy poetry in celebration of Arizona and the centennial. Tony Norris is a veteran of the cowboy music and poetry festivals. He has appeared on the stages of the National cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, The Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium in Ruidoso, New Mexico and The Arizona Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Prescott, Arizona. (February 12, 2012)
TUCSON RODEO PARADE, Tucson| The Tucson Rodeo Parade is going on their 87th annual Parade. Their parade maintains the spirit and embodies the state heritage every year. (February 23, 2012)
WESTERN CENTENNIAL GALA, Cave Creek| l. Major fundraiser for the library. 2. It is a 501C3 non-profit public library. 3. Receive no tax assistance. 4. Funding for library is by donations and fundraisers. 5. Library is run by 1 full time employee, 6 part-time employees and over 100 community volunteers. 6. This evert is very critical to the operation of the library. The evening will be of a western theme with a sit down catered dinner. Entertainment will be a piano player, guitarist singing old western songs, possibly a mock hold-up, and special guest Bob Boze Bell telling the history of Arizona and the local area. It will be a very fun evening with attendees all dressed in western and early period fashions. (February 11, 2012)
WHITE MOUNTAINS ROUNDUP, | An event that will be celebrating 100 years of Arizona cowboy and ranching heritage through poetry, music and fine arts. (July 15-16, 2011)
WICKENBURG GOLD RUSH DAYS, Wickenburg| Wickenburg will be celebrating Arizona’s Centennial at its 63rdAnnual Gold Rush Days and Rodeo. This celebration of Wickenburg’s ranching and mining heritage includes a rodeo, parade, concerts, arts and crafts, gold-panning, western dance, and other Western entertainment. (February 10-13, 2011)
WINTER RANGE, Phoenix | The Old West will once again come alive as more than 1000men, women and juniors journey to the Ben Avery Shooting Range February 20 – 25, 2012 for the 20th Annual gathering of Winter Range. Winter Range is an exciting 6-day event that provides the backdrop for the Single Action Shooting Winter Range has grown to the largest Western Encampment in the United States. In addition to the competitive events, Winter Range 2011 will feature displays of period militaria, exhibitions of western skills and crafts, and nearly 100 vendors purveying everything from period clothing to antiques and reproductions. Entertainment will be readily available in the form of a number of singers, cowboy bands, trick roping, trick horses and various other forms of cowboy entertainment. A variety of food services are also available – from authentic chuck wagon cooking to hot dogs. Winter Range is truly an exciting event for the whole family. (February 20-25, 2012)
