Wickenburg Parade and Senior Pro Rodeo

One day in February 2024 was a busy day in Wickenburg, Arizona.   In the morning, it was the Gold Rush Days Parade in downtown Wickenburg.   Then, in the afternoon it was action at the Senior Pro Rodeo.

Before the morning parade, we saw trick roper and shooter Will Roberts.   Will is also an actor.  If you can remember seeing Ozympic commercials, you would have seen him doing roping tricks.  He also plays General George Marshall in the movie "Oppenheimer."  

The parade featured local politicians, fancy and old cars, and of course horses, cowboy, and cowgirls.  

For more images from the parade, click HERE

Now, on to the rodeo at the rodeo grounds.  It's the senior pro rodeo.   These feature cowboys and cowgirls up to, believe it or not, 70 years old.  And they are good.

These folks might be legends, but they still have to pay the entry fee.  And losing or not qualifying means they are out that money and need to go to the next rodeo.

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

For images from the Wickenburg Gold Rush Days Senior Pro Rodeo, click 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

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!

 

Wickenburg and Team Roping at Rancho Rio 29 January 2022

Less than an hour to my northwest is the little town of Wickenburg, Arizona.  And Rancho Rio is the world capital of team roping, which is why I came up... to photograph some team ropers.

But first, it was time for breakfast and the choice this day was the Horseshoe Cafe.

Before that, I parked in front of Anita's Cocina and saw an interesting display window.   Next time, I'll visit wearing my Trump hat! 

Then it was off to Rancho Rio and fun photographing team roping.    

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

Click on the Image Below to See All My Images from Wickenburg

Team Roping at Rancho Rio in Wickenburg

Did you know Wickenburg, Arizona is the capital of team roping?  I didn’t.  Last Saturday I went to Rancho Rio in Wickenburg to find out what was going on.  

It was qualifying time on Saturday 14 April and there was money at stake.  These folks put up their own money to enter and hopefully can get some of that back and more. 

I’m used to photographing rodeos where team roping is one of the many events.  There’s just team roping here.  And there is an association involved in team roping, too.  It’s the NTR or National Team Roping.  

A surprise and a pleasant one that that is that many of the two person teams included women!  I’m guessing father/daughter, husband/wife teams.  And I suspect I saw some father/son teams, too.

The finals of the 14 April event are here!

If you want to learn more about team roping and the culture around it, the Team Roping Journal called the Phoenix area a team roping paradise.  Some of these people are transplanted from other areas of the country, come out to visit Rancho Rio, and eventually make it their part or full time home.

The good news for me is that from the north side of Phoenix, it’s a short under an hour drive.  

Until My Next Adventure,

See You On Down the Road!

Jim Patterson

… and all the photos!

Late addition:

I took five of my images and did some selective coloring.  I hope you enjoy.

Neal McCoy in Wickenburg Arizona

A few years ago I saw Neal McCoy at Country Thunder.  I was so impressed.  He had a string of hits in the 90s so I knew his songs.  But he is also funny and did I say talented?

So we went to Wickenburg, Arizona on 4 March 2018 to see him.  I had never driven to Wickenburg, a town about an hour northwest of me.  It’s close enough to Phoenix and yet far enough away to keep it’s western ways.  

Neal and his band performed in the lovely Del Webb Center for Performing Arts on the campus of Wickenburg High School.  Marvelous facility!  As a side note, I bought a beer there for TWO DOLLARS.  

Neal has also done many USO shows for soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, and coasties.  

He sang his hits, but also sang old standards from the likes of Frank Sinatra, showing off his multi-talented skills.  Along with that, he sang the theme song of the Beverly Hillbillies television show RAP STYLE!  

During one song he notice there was an empty seat in the front row.  He stopped the show and asked the gentleman there why the seat was empty.  He said his wife.. was tired.  So Neal said “call her up and give me the phone.”  And he had a nice chat with her on the phone during the set!  It was hilarious.  

Neal's currently popular song is his reaction to NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem called "Take a Knee Kiss My Ass."  He got a standing ovation for that and I have the tee shirt!

I know Neal will be at Country Thunder Arizona coming up in April.  If you get a chance, go see him.  You will love it!   

Until My Next Adventure,

(The Parada del Sol Rodeo in Scottsdale!)

See You On Down the Road!

Jim Patterson

… and all the photos!