Rodeo Time
One of the teachers I work with is a barrel racer. She competes in rodeos all over the country and she’ll be attending, and hopefully competing at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas in December. She’s an inspiration to everyone that knows her, having beaten non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She always credits her passion for the rodeo for keeping her focused and in shape as she battled the disease. Along with her several of my other colleagues regularly attend rodeos, including the NFR.
This past weekend was the local rodeo and everyone there seemed to have a blast. There was another BIG event in Phoenix this past weekend and it served as a reminder of how important it is to purchase tickets to big events as early as possible. While I’ve never been to the NFR before, I think it would be a great experience to attend, especially since it is in Las Vegas this year. WNFR Tickets are available now and it is a great time to plan for the event. It runs from Thursday December 4 through Sunday December 13. With so many days available, scheduling the trip and getting the tickets should be a breeze. Who knows…maybe I’ll be able to see my friend there competing as well.
I went to a rodeo once. long ago. it sounds very exciting.
Hi Sue!
As a former rodeo “follower”, I can tell you first hand that the rooms book VERY FAST and tickets sell out quickly to National Finals Rodeo. So if you are even entertaining the thought of attending … book early. I know that tickets can go for upwards of $2000.00 for the last day of competition (finals).
(By the way, the NFR has been held every year in Las Vegas since 1985)
Arizona’s biggest rodeo is the Parada del Sol in Scottsdale (put on by the Jaycees) and will be held this year Friday, February 29th through Sunday, March 2nd, 2008 at Westworld of Scottsdale. It is prefaced by the Parade del Sol Parade which will be held on Saturday, February 23rd, 2008 at 10:00 am. and goes down Scottsdale Road.
Another great rodeo is held mid-February in Tucson called La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. It too, has a parade but with a heavy Spanish/Mexican influence.
Of course, both are PRCA events.
Anyhow, since I am an old, former cowgirl … I thought that since you enjoyed the small, local rodeo … you might like to know about the larger events in Arizona.
Have fun!
Oops … that’ll teach me to type before my fingers wake up …. the rodeo parade in Scottsdale is the PARADA DEL SOL PARADE.