My husband and I recently returned from our annual get-out-of-the-heat summer trip to Payson, Arizona. While we didn’t attend this year, I have gone to the Payson Rodeo more times than I can count—which usually takes place the same week as our traditional trek to the area. The Payson Rodeo claims to be the oldest continuous rodeo in the world. Interestingly, the not very far away Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo has a similar claim: the World’s oldest rodeo. Records are a little sketchy as both rodeos were taking place unofficially before 1888 when the US Patent Office granted Prescott Frontier Days, Inc. a registered trademark as the World’s Oldest Rodeo.
But as it turns out, both claims are likely true (which is quite a feat for a state that is the youngest of the “lower 48”). By all accounts, the Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo started earlier than the Payson rodeo (both around the mid 1880s) but the difference is in the word continuous. Payson wins out over Prescott on that one point as it hasn’t missed a single year. That’s quite an accomplishment when you think about it. First called the August Races because horse racing was a big part of rodeos back then, it was later renamed the August Celebration or the August Doings, and finally just the plain old Payson Rodeo. Dances were a big part of those first rodeos, too. Cowboys do like to twirl the ladies around the dance floor to the music of a toe-tapping band. These days, however, rather than a neighbor picking the guitar or playing a fiddle, big name acts are brought in to delight the crowds. Payson’s rodeo committee spends an entire year planning and organizing the event, and their hard work shows in a first-rate event.
Most of us know that rodeos started as a way for cowboys to entertain themselves, blow off steam, and hone their skills. And, yes, a little wagering was going on, too, in addition to the prize money to be won. In the sweltering heat of Arizona summers, what better place for cowboys to come together that than the cool pine country of Payson? In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the locals were so enthusiastic about the Payson Rodeo, it was said to have rivaled Christmas in celebration. It wasn’t until 1958 when the Beeline Highway was paved that people from all over started pouring into Payson for the rodeo, and that included tourists as well as competitors. Today, the residents of Payson take great pride in their rodeo, and the entire town pretty much comes to a standstill for the entire week.
If you happen to be traveling through Arizona during the third week of August, I highly recommend checking out the Payson Rodeo. Who knows, hubby and I might just run into you. And wouldn’t that be great!
Rodeos (to my knowledge) aren’t a thing in Maryland where I grew up right outside Washington, D.C. Now we’re California residents but dust and horses don’t appeal to my husband, so we aren’t likely to attend one. Enjoy when you attend, Cathy!
I get that rodeos don’t appeal to some, Mary. My late mother-in-law didn’t like “the smell” of horses 🙂 But I admit, I love them.
Harford County has a rodeo at the Farm Fair.
Love Payson, although I haven’t visited the rodeo there.
(That was supposed to be my response to Cathy!) Mary, I recall attending a rodeo at the Cap Center (is that still there?) sometime in the last century. Cowboys travel the country to compete wherever they can. Also caught a small, local affair in Oklahoma as we were driving through.
Good morning Cathy! Rodeos are a thing in Florida! Crazy huh? Ocala is known for their horses! When I was younger I went to a few local ones. It is dusty! It wouldn’t be my thing now! LOL
I understand about the dust. They do sometimes show rodeos on TV now. At least bull riding. Which is kind of fun to watch.
I find rodeos fascinating. I have only been to a few but would like to go to another.
They are quite fun and interesting. There was a time I’d go to several a year, but now it’s only about one every other year 🙂
Being an Arizona native, I have attended many of the rodeos that take place around our state. Payson and Prescott were the “biggies” when I was growing up and my Grandpa would take me nearly every year to one or both. He was not an Arizona native but he loved horseback riding and all things related to horses. He was a member of both the Verde Vaqueros and the Cactus Caballeros and would go on trail rides every year.
I was born in Arizona and have lived here for a bit over half of my life. I love our state and its many events, but rodeos will always be on the top of my list. Thank you, Cathy, for bringing those good memories into view for folks who may not be able to see them firsthand.
Both rodeos are great, Karin. Being an Arizona native, have you ever been to the Parade del Sol? I started attending that one when I was just a kid and have been countless times.
I love rodeos. of course I grew up on a farm and we always had them. for fun among the surrounding towns and the fairs. I was in the the barrel racing on our horse Goldie. I now live in a suburb of Chicago with my husband. (kids are married and gone). but I love to read about them and watch on tv. thought I will be honest, the ones on tv are just not as I remember them growing up. thank you for the wonderful post today.
You barrel raced. That’s great, Lori. And on a horse named Goldie. I love it! Thanks for sharing.
I don’t attend rodeos very often.
I don’t attend like I used to, but they are still fun to go once in a while. Kind of like watching live sports. You just can’t beat the energy from sitting in the stands!
What fun and interesting information about rodeos. I’m still learning all this west stuff as I write in Marietta, Montana, and I’m always ready to gain some new insights. Thanks, Cathy!
Thanks for the kind words, Nan, and best of luck with your writing 🙂
I live less than 100 miles from Payson and have attended the rodeo numerous times. Always a fun day.
Yes it is, Joye. Payson is such a pretty part of the state!
How fun. Have been to a local rodeo but never a big one like that.
They have a rodeo each year at the county Farm Fair here in Maryland.
They have rodeos in Virginia.
One award-winning regional rodeo is South Jersey’s Cowtown Rodeo. They have a huge cowboy outside, Muffler Man. It’s the longest-running professional weekly rodeo in the USA.
I will have to research the Cowtown Rodeo. Sounds like fun.
Have never been to one even though I grew up about 30 miles from Cheyenne, WY. We stayed away from Cheyenne because of the crowds.
I’ve visited Cheyenne but not to attend a rodeo. I can imagine it’s very crowded!
Although we are an easy drive to Pendleton or Ellensburg I have never been to either of those big time rodeos. Many of the contestants also compete at the Moses Lake Roundup and the Othello Rodeo which we have attended regularly. Our local fair has a Northwest Pro Rodeo which is a level similar to minor league ball. It’s just as much fun to watch and who knows, that young bronc rider or roper may soon be a PRCA star or you may be watching someone who decided to stop traveling as much as he once had.
That sounds like a great time, Alice. I used to live near a small rodeo and would love to watch the youngsters practice.
Our first experience with rodeo was in 1982 or so when we moved to Colorado Springs, CO. Our girls were on a float with Girl Scouts in the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Parade. We went to the Little Britches Rodeo that year and our Eastern greenhorn girls participated in a couple of events. We have been to quite a few rodeos since. For many years we were volunteer ushers at our community’s arena and worked the rodeos and bull riding competitions You can now find rodeos just about anywhere. We’ve had local rodeos in TN quite often the past few years. There is even a rodeo venue in New York near the Canadian-NY-VT border.
You are right, Patricia, about rodeos being everywhere 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and sharing your memories. I loved reading about them 🙂