Tucson Rodeo Parade: A Slideshow!
On a perfect February morning, we went to the 2014 Tucson Rodeo Parade. The parade celebrates the annual rodeo known as La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros. The parade was created back in 1925 and is said to be the largest non-motorized parade in America. I can believe it. The procession of fine antique carriages & wagons lasted 2 hours & 14 minutes. They were pulled by an assortment of amazing horses, mules, and oxen; some of the largest I had ever seen.
We went early and got a curbside place for our folding chairs only a block from where the parade starts at Ajo and the RR tracks. Soon a couple hundred thousand kids and adults lined the parade route. For the past 89 years, they have let the kids out of school so they can attend the parade and rodeo. The City officials back then must have known that no one would show up at school and miss the fun.
The parade was colorful & exciting. The marching bands were awesome! But to me, the most interesting participants were the magnificent old carriages and wagons. At other times of the year, you can see them at the Rodeo Parade Museum located on the Rodeo grounds. Watch this slideshow for a few of the 800 images I captured. Here is the Website for the Tucson Rodeo.
