b"THE WORLDS OLDEST CONTINUOUS RODEO 140th PERFORMANCE P ayson, Arizona is Named the country's Best Small Rodeo (according toyour mountain chair, water, where rodeo wastheProfessional Rodeo Cowboys Association, whichand the kids, and enjoy a great born. Started in 1884sanctions the event and recently named as the Officialmorning with some fabulous the annual World's OldestBest Small-Town PRCA Rodeo in the West by True Westentertainment, antique cars, Continuous Rodeo is aMagazine, it continues to attract the best of the best fromclowns, horses, and help world-famous event thatall over the world to compete for substantial prize money. Rim Country celebrate The will celebrate its 140thWorlds Oldest Continuous consecutive year in2023 Rodeo performances start at7:00 PM FridayandRodeo. For parade on August 18 and 19. Saturdaynightand at 1:00 PM Saturdayafternoon. Gatesapplications, please go to open two hours prior to the performances. Friday is thethe Rim Country Regional The first rodeos in PaysonWrangler Bucking Cancer night that helps raise funds forChamber of Commerce, provided local ranchers andlocal breast cancer support groups. Saturday evening is theor to rimcountrychamber.cowhands a chance to getPatriot Performance that honors our returning, fallen andcom. Applications are due together and compare theirwounded veterans, with a special tribute during the rodeo.by August 1st.roping and ranching skillsSaturday afternoon is Family Day with prizes for kids. during the annual downTickets are available online at paysonprorodeo.com. TicketsAdding to the fun on Friday time before the big fallwill also be available at the gate, but some performancesand Saturday nights you roundup. There were onlysell out early. can kick up your heels at the a couple of events in thosePayson Pro Rodeo Official early rodeos, but it was notThe rodeo festivities include the rodeo parade. It will beBoots & Bling after party long before cowboys from allheld on August 18, starting at 9:00 AM, on historic Mainand dance at the Payson over the state and beyond wereStreet in Payson. The parade is sponsored by the RimRodeo Grounds. The showing up to compete in new events like bronc busting,Country Kiwanis of Zane Gray Country. It includes clowns,band will begin playing at 9:00 PM each night and there bull riding, and steer roping. rodeo queens and their courts, the Payson High Schoolis no cover charge for rodeo ticket holders and families Band, local floats, riders, first responder teams and manyare welcome. Cover charge is only $5.00 if you did not Early Payson rodeos weren't held in fancy arenas. In fact,other great entries from all over Arizona. Join in the funattend the rodeo, all are welcome and under 21 must be the original venue was a meadow near the intersection ofwhen real cowboys and cowgirls strut their stuff, along withaccompanied by an adult.Main Street and Highway 87/The Beeline. Wagons andfloats, cars, tractors, team bands and units of the El Zaribah later autos created barriers to line Main Street to form theShriners. The parade will go east from Green Valley ParkCome join the fun and experience the place wherearena. This years activities will feature everything fromalong Main Street to Sawmill Crossing. Announcers alongrodeo began over 140 years ago in Payson, Arizonasbeautiful rodeo royalty to the Shiners participation in thethe parade route will keep you posted on the comingCool Mountain Town! Event information at: annual rodeo parade.entries and provide music for your entertainment. So, bringpaysonprorodeo.com and 928-295-8109.RODEOPAYSON, ARIZONA &HISTORY & RODEO TRADITIONSF rom a population of 42, Green Valley grew intoto visit, eat, gamble, race their horses, dance, and showTo learn more about Payson and our rodeo traditions Payson and in 1884 it became the home of rodeo.off their cowboy and cowgirl skills. From 1885 to 1926read Rodeo 101 by Jinx and Jayne Pyle. Much of the Today, the Worlds Oldest Continuous Rodeo.most of Paysons rodeos were held in the dirt on Maininformation here is from that book. If you cannot find a Payson was a remote settlement until the completion ofStreet. The celebration lasted several days. copy, check out the Historical Societys museum store in the Beeline Highway in 1958 and a well-kept secret intoGreen Valley Park on West Main Street.the 1950s. Prior to the Beeline in 1935 it took 12 hours toTodays Worlds Oldest Continuous Rodeo brings many get here from Phoenix via Bush Highway. visitors from the Valley and all over the world as farThe Payson Pro Rodeo Committee owns and produces away as Norway, Germany, France, and Australia.Thethe annual Worlds Oldest Continuous Rodeo as The first organizers for the Payson Rodeo wererodeo costs a pretty penny to produce; today to thewell as the spring rodeo, the Gary Hardt Memorial Charlie Meadows and John Chilson, both coming fromtune of more than $100,000. Early Payson rodeos wereRodeo.Their mission is to keep the Western heritage California to Payson. The first rodeo was held in afunded creatively. In the 1920s there were smallerand lifestyle alive here in Rim Country. Through the midtown pasture off Main Street in 1884just southwestcrowds and money was not plentiful. Payson wasproduction of the rodeos, they provide funds for their of the intersection of Highway 87 and Main Street. At thestill a remote mountain town far away from the long501c3 non-profit to supply scholarships for local needy first rodeos, no admission was charged and there werearm of state and federal law enforcement, so rodeoRim Country graduating seniors for both vocational no cash awards, but bragging rights were awarded, andorganizers decided to use gambling to fund the rodeoand academic studies, and to also help local breast plenty of cash changed hands.perfectly legal according to the law north of the Saltcancer and veteran support groups. Added funding Riveras noted by Jinx Pyle in his book Rodeo 101!is supplied to other needs and also local high school The name of the Payson rodeo evolved over the years.Gambling tents, slot machines, roulette wheels, dice,sports activities. An added benefit locally is the It was first called the August Races (horse racing wasand blackjack did a bang-up business between 6 p.m.economic impact of our rodeos. This is the result of a big event in those early years to see whose horse wasand midnight each evening of the rodeo. Most rodeosvisitors to Rim Country at rodeo time. It is estimated the fastest) then later the August Celebration or thetoday, including Paysons, are funded by national,that those visitors produce more than $3,000,000 in August Doins, and finally the Payson Rodeo. It was trulyregional, and more importantly local sponsors.Thesales from rooms, food, and fuel that they purchase. A a celebration for the whole town. It was an opportunitygate proceeds cover a little more or less than 60% ofgood reason for all of us to get behind and support our anticipated by everyone, as much as Christmasa timewhat is needed to put on the show. rodeo tradition here in Payson.ArizonaRealCountry.com August 2023 45"