Three years ago, a group of Flagstaff locals banded together to form a committee to bring the rodeo back to Flagstaff. “We wanted to preserve our western heritage,” says Kristen Daulton, president of the Flagstaff Pro Rodeo. “I grew up going to the rodeo. It was one of my favorite things to do with my family each summer. When it went away, I really missed it.” The committee succeeded, and after five years without a rodeo, Flagstaff was once again hosting bucking broncs and rodeo queens. The Flagstaff Pro Rodeo returns for its third year June 23-25, 7-9 p.m., to the Coconino County Fairgrounds at Fort Tuthill County Park. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned event features bull riding, barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, tie-down roping and steer wrestling.
There will also be mutton busting for children younger than 8 each evening at 6 p.m., and wild horse races every night. Thursday is Tough Enough to Wear Pink night featuring a ball-toss fundraiser for breast cancer patients in the rodeo arena. Proceeds benefit the Shadows Foundation. Tickets are also buy one, get one free on Thursday. The rodeo will honor local first responders on Friday night, and on Saturday everyone is encouraged to dress in red, white and blue for Patriotic Night. Saturday morning will see the inaugural Buckaroo Brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Geared toward young kids, the brunch includes breakfast, a meet and greet with rodeo queens and clowns, stick-horse barrel racing and dummy roping. The brunch costs $5 per person. Also on Saturday the Wells Fargo stagecoach will make an appearance, and the Chad Freeman and Redline Band will close out the rodeo with live music and dancing in the arena from 9 p.m. until midnight. (The Museum Club of Flagstaff hosts a rodeo after-party on Thursday and Friday nights.)
More than 6,000 people watched 300 contestants at last year’s rodeo. Contestants are primarily from the Southwest, though last year’s winners were from all across the U.S. “We’re adding new events each year, but we won’t grow too fast,” Kristen says. – Erika Ayn Finch. Photo by Ric Andersen.
SEDONA CALENDAR: Events, activities, shows, happenings
