4 Final Visits to Turf Paradise in 2022 and 2023

Many of us had suspected for some time that the owner of Turf Paradise in Phoenix wanted to sell.  News of that broke by September of 2023.  At this point, nobody is sure if there will be a buyer as one deal fell through.   Nor will we know if any new buyer will want to continue horse racing, which began here in 1956.   That also means an end to the off track betting they had in well over 30 locations.  

Horse racing in Prescott Valley at Arizona Downs also cancelled their summer season.   

A darn shame.   Rillito Park
in Tucson, however, says they will continue. I do remember they had meets around the county fair in Cochise County.   So we'll see what happens with that.

I loved photographing the race horses.  I grew up near a sulky track in Michigan so I was familiar with horse racing.   

But it looks like horse racing might be finished in Phoenix.  

*UPDATE!  It now appears new owners are going to take Turf Paradise!   Read more here:  https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Additional_details_emerge_on_would_be_Turf_Paradise_buyers_123

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

Images from 11 March 2023 HERE

Images from 30 January 2023 HERE

Images from 4 November 2022 HERE

Images from 16 March 2022 HERE

Wickenburg Party in the Desert 13 March '22 and 25 March '23

Ben and Noel Haggard on 13 March 2022

The Flying E ranch in Wickenburg Arizona was host to two of the latest "Party in the Desert.

Neal McCoy on 13 March 2022

March 2022 they hosted a few country acts including Ben & Noel Haggard and Neal McCoy.  Neal McCoy has been a favorite of mine for years.  Neal doesn't work with a set lineup, so his backup band has to be ready for anything!

Party in the Desert in 2023 showcased House Whiskey, Chancey Williams, and Josh Turner

House Whiskey 25 March 2023

Chancey Williams and the AMAZING Brooke Latka 25 March 2023

Headliner Josh Turner 24 March 2023

My unexpected favorite was unknown to me, Chancey Williams.   

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

Images from Party in the Desert 2023 are located HERE

Images from Party in the Desert 2022 are located HERE

Buckeye Arizona AirFair 19 Feb 2023 and 20 Feb 2022

 

Buckeye, a city west of Phoenix, hosts a yearly air show each year in February.   Here I share with you images I captured from both 2022 and 2023.

I captured images with both the Canon EOS R6 and Canon EOS R6 Mark II.   

Before the main show, there was an air race of smaller yellow planes that were highly maneuverable.  

After the air races, they opened the show with parachutists.

A variety of planes made an appearance.  The vast majority were propeller planes.  

One interesting plane had both propellers and a jet engine and was made with two aircraft, surplus from the old Soviet air force.

The 2024 air fair will run from 16 to 18 February.  I will be there with camera, of course! 

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

Here are all of my images from the 2022 and 2023 Buckeye AirFairs!

Wickenburg Arizona Gold Rush Days Parade and Senior Pro Rodeo - 12 February 2022

 

Wickenburg is a city about an hour northwest of Phoenix.   They bill themselves as the world capital of team roping and from October to April, there are lots of arenas showcasing just that.

The Gold Rush Days parade is in the morning.   It features horses, carriages, clowns, cars, and more.   

For information on future Gold Rush days parade and Senior Pro Rodeo just click on the photo on the left! 

This might be the biggest parade in Arizona.  It's got a real small town feel.   It reminds me of the parades I remember, especially on the 4th of July, in Concord, a small town in south central Michigan.  

Wickenburg is a small town with small town values and I like it. We got to Wickenburg early, stopped at the Horseshoe Cafe for a big breakfast, then walked over to a good viewing site.   We left our chairs there and I asked a local if it was ok to leave our chairs...  He was a bit surprised at my question and said.. most of these chairs were set up last night.  In other words, nobody will steal them.  

Right after the parade, it was time to make our way to the rodeo arena for the afternoon competition.   By the way, rodeo folks are very patriotic, and that's a good thing obviously.   

Bull riding seems to be the most popular event.   If there are lots of contestants, you might find the rodeo that day will open with bull riding and conclude with bull riding.  Most rodeos I've seen put the bull riding at the end of the day.   And before the bull riding, you'll see the ladies of rodeo in barrel racing. 

 

It's a pretty simple event to watch.  The lady rider will enter from one side of the arena, tripping the electronic timer.  She has three barrels to get around.  Knock over a barrel and it's a five second penalty. Typical scores are 17 seconds and up.  I've seen faster, though.  

That's a quick view on the Wickenburg Arizona Gold Rush Days parade and senior pro rodeo.  By the way, there are always a few participants in this rodeo in their 60s and 70s!  

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

Click HERE to see parade images.   And, click HERE for rodeo images!