Even if rodeo's not your thing, everyone loves a parade.
Payson, Arizona is where rodeo began. Known since its inception in 1884 as “August Doin's”, the Annual World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo is a world famous event that will celebrate its 126th consecutive year in 2010 on August 20-22.
The first rodeos in Payson were held to provide local ranchers and cowhands a chance to get together and compare their roping skills and cow ponies during the annual “down time” before the big fall roundup. There were only a couple of events in those early rodeos, but it was not long before cowboys from all over the state were showing up to compete in new events like bronc busting, bull riding, and steer roping.
Early Payson rodeos weren't held in fancy arenas. In fact, the original venue was a meadow near the intersection of Main Street and Highway 87/The Beeline. Wagons and later autos created barriers to form the 'arena'.
The “August Doin's” is still held the third weekend in August. Named the country's Best Small Rodeo (according to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, which sanctions the event), it continues to attract the best of the best from all over the world to compete for substantial prize money.
Rodeo performances start at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday night and at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Sunday is Family Day. Gates open 2 hours prior to the performances. Also part of this year's event is a rodeo dance on both Friday and Saturday night at the historic OxBow Saloon on Main Street where music featuring Rendezvous inside plus another band outside begins at 9 p.m. Doors open at 5p.m.
The festivities include an old-fashioned parade, several rodeo dances, and of course the four rodeo performances themselves. Tickets are available at the gate and at www.ticketforce.com. Admission is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors 65+, and $10 for kids 8-12. Come on up for the Rodeo and enjoy some fun in our Cool Mountain Town!
Information: 928-474-9440
www.paysonrimcountry.com
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