Tucson Rodeo

Great fun we’ll run event part of being a Tucsonian! I love a well organized event, and this is one of them. They start on time and there is little down time and the contestants are all extremely good at what they do. Bull riding and bronco busting are my favorite and I like to sit right across from the shoot, to get the full picture of what could be 8 seconds and a great score, or getting thrown off and stomped. I know people poo poo on the rodeo as inhumane, but if I was a stock animal and could choose I would rather end up in the rodeo versus your plate. I will keep going to the rodeo it is a part of history and the West.

Huge blank spots. Half a block or more with nothing. Not recommended.
Many people left early. Boring for kids and adults.
Needs better organization.

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros! Tucson rodeo.
Pretty fun little rodeo. Went for the full day on parade day. Have seen better, local rodeos up in VT of all places… The best part of the rodeo were the pick-​up men and the high quality of their horsemanship!

Some important points (imho):
1) Get there early. Parking can be a challenge if you are even a little late. It’s one of Tucson’s largest annual events.
2) Be prepared to spend about $ 18 – 22 for seats.
3) Eat beforehand. Food is your typical… hot dogs, brats, hamburgers. Nothing special, and as with many special events, overpriced.
4) If you tend to be PC, close your ears at some of the comments/​jokes made by the commentator.
5) Bull riding is a sight to see and is usually at the end of the day. Horse racing is pretty exciting, as well.
6) It’s not all just country music. I heard some rock, as well.
7) I’m surprised this event is not bigger. There are only a few events Tucson celebrates that embraces its Southwest heritage.
Overall, while you are in Tucson in February, I recommend watching it for its Southwest spirit.

A great place to meet up with cowboy idiots who drive gas guzzling trucks, have a rifle on their truck rack, & blast lousy country music. Most cowboys are tuggin their girlfriends, who are stuck inside too tight cowboy jeans.
The only positive side is that when the Rodeo animals get revenge, it’s fun to watch a cowboy get tossed around like a bale of hay or his nuts crunched by a hoof.
Oh, the place smells like crap, so you snobs might want to avoid it.
Hee Haw!
Urban Struggle lyrics by The Vandals (The Vandals were an early punk band) (1982 EP Peace Thru Vandalism)
I want to be a Cowboy
I got to be a Cowboy
I’m born to be a Cowboy
I want to be a Cowboy
A Cowboy! Uh-​huh
Tonight we’re taking me fast car
Were gonna go down to the Cowboy bar
I’m gonna wait till the club is full
and I’m gonna ride the mechanical bull
Cowboy look is the one I sought
Can’t change now cause the clothes are bought
To be a true Cowboy was my fate
I can’t help it if I was born late
All the Cowgirls in their Stetson hats
and their tight fitting jeans so they don’t look fat
We’ll all be listening to the Cowboy tunes
and stomp around like a bunch of goons
Cowboy look is the one I sought
Can’t change now cause the clothes are bought
To be a true cowboy was my fate
I can’t help it if I was born late
We’re all OD’d on the Olden West
seein’ who’s Cowboy clothes look the best
I can ride that phony bull so damn good
Sometimes I think I’m Clint Eastwood
Cowboy look is the one I sought
Can’t change now cause the clothes are bought
To be a true cowboy was my fate
I can’t help it if I was born late
I know I’m a Cowboy deep inside
My hat band’s made out of synthetic rattle snake hide
After a couple shit kickin’ Cowboy movies
I’ll check out the Cowboy scene down at Zubie’s
Cowboy look is the one I sought
Can’t change now cause the clothes are bought
To be a true cowboy was my fate
I can’t help it if I was born late
Find out who all fights the best
We start fights with them punks at the Cuckoo’s Nest
Those damn punks are crazy (though)
and meaner than a bull at a rodeo
Cowboy look is the one I sought
Can’t change now cause the clothes are bought
To be a true cowboy was my fate
I can’t help it if I was born late
You call me an Urban clone of course
A big deal if I’m afraid to ride a horse
With a broken nose and a fucked up knee
Maybe this Cowboy scene just ain’t for me
Cowboy look is the one I sought
Can’t change now cause the clothes are bought
To be a true cowboy was my fate
I can’t help it if I was born late
Yee Haw
Cowboy look is the one I sought
Can’t change now cause the clothes are bought
To be a true cowboy was my fate
I can’t help it if I was born late
(I couldn’t make it as a Punker)

For real, this has not been Unilocaled yet? Okay, well I don’t know what I was expecting. I have never been to a Rodeo. This exceeded expectations. It starts at 12:30 when the children compete. Unbelievable! These tiny little people on gigantic horses throw themselves off to rope a goat?!? I did not believe my eyes. At 2:00 the Big Boys come out, literally. There are roping competitions, the bucking broncos, and of course they end with the bulls, the finale. The caliber of people competing seems pretty high. I guess these are the same cowboys and cowgirls you would see at the PBR Rodeo, which I think is the big championship one. Whatever, you can tell I don’t know what I am talking about.
The downsides are that the booths around the grounds are not very interesting. Also, the food is overpriced and not that great of a selection. You should be able to bring your own coolers, like Nascar races! One last note, the banter between the announcer and the rodeo clown was of the Abbott and Costello variety… funny, slapstick humor, rather low-​brow. However, sometimes I felt it was borderline racist. It is one thing if Chris Rock says it, it is quite another when the Texas dude in a cowboy hat says it.