The Western Web

Arizona - Worlds Oldest Rodeo in Prescott

Tucson - Fiesta de los Vaqueros (The Tucson Rodeo)

Team Roping competition at Tucson’s Fiesta de los Vaqueros.Another popular event held in February, which is early spring in Tucson, is the Fiesta de los Vaqueros, or rodeo week. While at its heart the Fiesta is a sporting event, it includes what is billed as the world’s largest non-mechanized parade. The Rodeo Parade is a popular event for families as most schools give two rodeo days off instead of Presidents Day. Western wear is seen throughout the city as corporate dress codes are cast aside during the Fiesta. The Fiesta de los Vaqueros marks the beginning of the rodeo season in the United States. Unlike other sports such as baseball and football which have their biggest and most important events at the ends of their seasons (the World Series and the Super Bowl, respectively), Fiesta de los Vaqueros, the premier event of the rodeo year, is held at the beginning of the rodeo season.

Colorado - National Western Stock Show in Denver

Florida - Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee

Missouri - American Royal

The American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri is a livestock show, horse show and rodeo held each year in October and November in the West Bottoms next to to Kemper Arena.

It is a not-for-profit 5013 organization founded in 1899 celebrating the region’s rich agricultural heritage through competition, education and entertainment. As a not-for-profit community volunteer based organization, the American Royal raises funds to fulfill its vision and mission though endowments, contributions, sponsorships and event revenues.

As an organization dedicated to youth and education, the American Royal reaches over 55,000 students with educational programs and events yearlong through the American Royal Museum, school tours KALF (Kids Agriculture Learning Fest) and other programs. The American Royal also grants over $300,000 annually to students in the form of scholarships and educational awards.

The American Royal, one of Kansas City’s premier fall events, annually hosts the World’s largest barbecue contest, one of the Midwest’s largest and oldest livestock exhibitions and professional rodeos, prestigious horse shows and is home of the National Championship American Saddlebred horse competition. The American Royal Rodeo was voted one of the top five rodeos in the country in 2004 by the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) and was the National Championship horse show was voted best horse show in the country in 2002, by the UPHA (United Professional Horseman’s Association).

During October and November, more than 250,000 people visit the American Royal grounds. In addition, over 100,000 people will attend The American Royal Parade or will watch the parade on television.

The American Royal began in a tent in the Kansas City Stockyards as a national Hereford (cattle) Show. This show has grown into the annual American Royal Livestock show drawing owner/breeders, future business and agriculture leaders (high school and collegiate) and animal enthusiasts from a 33 state region.

The name of “American Royal” was inspired by a 1901 editorial in beef industry publication The Drovers Telegram entitled “Call It The American Royal.” The original home of the American Royal was destroyed in a Valentines Day fire in 1925. It was rebuilt in time for the event that year and served as the center for events until the American Royal complex was built across from Kemper Arena in 1992. During World War II the Royal complex was converted into a glider factory.

The first American Royal horse show was added in 1907, and has grown to include five shows (Quarter Horse, Hunter-Jumper Horse, Arabian Horses, American Saddlebred and a Youth Show). The horse shows draw horse-enthusiasts, owners, trainers, grooms and riders nationwide from 36 states and Canada.

American Royal Rodeo events have grown to include a Youth Invitational Rodeo, A PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) Rodeo and the CBR (Champion Bull Riders) and SuperBull Finals. The first Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) sanctioned rodeo was added in 1976. The American Royal PRCA Rodeo was voted one of the top five rodeos in the country in 2004, and the American Royal was honored at the annual PRCA Convention and National Finals Rodeo. The American Royal annually hosts some of the country’s top music entertainers in conjunction with its rodeo events and has recently presented : Shania Twain, Keith Urban, Trace Adkins, Trick Pony, Darryl Worley and Chris LeDoux.

The American Royal Barbecue contest has continued to grow as a prestigious culinary event and is now nationally known as the largest Barbecue Contest in the world with world-wide competitors attending. In 2004, the American Royal partnered with the Kansas City Blues Society to develop a Blues Music Festival during the American Royal Barbecue Contest.

The American Royal continues as a well-loved Kansas City tradition, supported by the Metropolitan Business Community, Nationally recognized sponsors and a 600+ membership base (American Royal Governors), who represent a cross section of the Kansas City Metropolitan community.

Montana - NILE Rodeo
Chase Hawks Memorial Rough Stock Rodeo

[This post will be continued later on, starting with Nevada and the National Finals Rodeo], admin.