For the eighty-third time, cowboys, cowgirls and rodeo fans streamed into the Tucson Rodeo grounds at 4823 S. 6th Avenue for the La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo.

The rodeo, which began in 1925, kicked off this year on Feb. 16 and ended with the championship round on Sunday, Feb. 24, with a sell-out crowd of 11,000 people packing the stands.

The La Fiesta de los Vaqueros is a Tucson tradition. Children are let out of school on Thursday and Friday before the final weekend of the rodeo to attend the final four days of the rodeo as well as the rodeo parade, which organizers say is the longest non-motorized parade in the world.

The rodeo is a treat for spectators young and old, and families are a common sight to see among the stands.

“It's a good rodeo,” said David Lesiak, who has attended several rodeos with his son, Dylan, but said the Tucson Rodeo is one of the best in the area. “They get some of the top money and top bull riders and contestants in the Southwest.”

Frank Rojel and his family have been coming to the rodeo for the last 10 years and don't foresee an end to their attendance or the rodeo.

“We'll bring our grandkids out here,” Rojel said.

Why? To see riders from all over the world compete for a share of the $500,000 dollar prize purse offered by the La Fiesta de los Vaqueros rodeo. The top money winner was Saddle Bronc rider Billy Etbauer of Edmond, Okla., who won $9,526.

This year 646 contestants entered at least one of the seven events which include Bareback Riding, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Tie-Down Roping and Team Roping.


The rodeo provided spectators with fast pace action and sometimes life threatening competition, but Australian Saddle Bronc rider, Anthony Bello, said there is more to the rodeo than the action.

“You can never forget where you come from,” Bello said. “One hundred years ago they were doing the same stuff we're doing today.”

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