PRESCOTT FRONTIER DAYS®, INC. GEARS UP FOR 131st ANNUAL WORLD’S OLDEST RODEO®
by Tricia Lewis, Lewis Marketing
Prescott is known as an exciting and celebratory Western destination during the summer months, especially over the Fourth of July. The weather is amazing as the annual monsoon rolls in and the evenings are somewhat cool. The Western culture and tradition that Prescott is known for shines during Prescott Frontier Days week.
Prescott Frontier Days®, Inc. is home of the World’s Oldest Rodeo® and is Prescott’s most anticipated event of the year, held June 28 through July 4. This annual event boasts eight heart-pounding and world-class rodeo performances, a rodeo dance and parade (Arizona’s second-largest), kiddie parade, an arts and crafts show in downtown Prescott and fun for the entire family!
Rodeo fans and spectators come from all over the United States as well as 20 different countries. Visitors and residents alike embrace Prescott’s beloved Western heritage.
Prescott is “everybody’s hometown” over the Fourth of July. If you are not from here, but attend or participate in any of these events, you will feel right at home.
To capture and celebrate this warm welcome, Prescott Frontier Days®, Inc. has proudly dedicated the 2018 rodeo to its Western roots with the theme “Stay Cowboy.” This theme, now a registered trademark with the state of Arizona, represents the simple way of life, and we are proud to “hang our hat” on it.
“Stay Cowboy” hopefully comes as a friendly reminder of back in the day when people treated each other with kindness and embraced business decisions with a simple hand shake. It represents the simple way of life but also has significance in the rodeo arena that stems back to the early 1900s when cowboys were encouraged to “Stay Cowboy, Stay,” meaning to stay in the “well” (a.k.a. the saddle) while riding a bucking horse. The competition required an 8-second ride in order to qualify for cash prizes and possibly a title.
The term “stay cowboy” was also used as an advertising slogan (or tagline) in the early 1900s by Santa Fe Railroad to bring people from all over the West Coast (Arizona, New Mexico and California) to watch the Prescott Frontier Day® rodeo (the original name).
Since 1888, Prescott has been home to the World’s Oldest Rodeo® and has entertained thousands of rodeo fans at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. Each year, this rodeo draws not only the best rodeo enthusiasts from around the world, but also the best rodeo contestants (cowboys and cowgirls) who find it an honor to participate in this historic event.
With record attendance last year and record contestant participation, you can bet Prescott Frontier Days®, Inc. is gearing up for the most exciting year of rodeo yet. It is an honor and privilege to be a part of this amazing community, and we hope each of you enjoy the World’s Oldest Rodeo®!
To Know:
For the very first time, Prescott Frontier Days®, Inc. will strictly enforce a new enhanced security measure throughout the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. The safety of everyone is paramount at each performance, before and after each rodeo. To ensure safety and efficiency, a clear bag policy will be in effect at all eight rodeo performances and is consistent with industry standards nationwide. To learn what is permitted at the rodeo, please visit the website worldsoldestrodeo.com and click on the “Know Before You Go” policy.
Stay Tuned:
Please join us on our social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to keep up with us and share your rodeo photos and engage with Prescott Frontier Days®! We are very active on social media, so keep your eyes peeled for some new and exciting promotions with awesome giveaways coming soon! We will use the hashtags #staycowboy, #westernheritage and #WOR131, so include us and feel free to tag us on your posts during rodeo week! We love hearing the stories of our rodeo fans and encourage activity and participation especially as rodeo week arrives.
Attendance Information:
Tickets and information are available at worldsoldestrodeo.com or by calling the ticket line at 928-445-4320. Matinee performances begin at 1:30 p.m. and evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., but gates open two hours prior at 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. People are welcome to come early, visit the vendors and shop from some very unique collections. Rodeo tickets are now available and early ticket purchases are strongly encouraged as performance sellouts are expected. No refunds or exchanges.
See you at the R-O-D-E-O!
