Rodeo originated from the practice of the 16 th century, the Spaniards and their Mexican ranch hands; Vaqueros, mixing cattle disputes and bullfighting in sporting competition. These events were very popular in New Spain, and can be found at the Fairgrounds and race tracks across the region. The very first contest of professional rodeo in the United States was held in Prescott, Arizona on July 4, 1888. A group of local business people are offered cash prizes for the winners’ cowboy competition. Participants and spectators consisted of local farmers and their families, because it gives them a chance to show and compete with developed skills, the ranch.
Prescott rodeo began to gain popularity in 1933, celebrities such as Andy Devine, Will Rogers, Jimmy Winerton in attendance. Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater had participated in many events in his early days. In mid-1930’s, rodeo was moved to its current location at the Yavapai County Fairgrounds, with funding from the federal government. In 1940, a group of volunteers called the 20-30 club retained a rodeo going on, despite the temporary loss of many of its members in connection with their participation in the Great Patriotic War. In 1979 Prescott Frontier Days was formed. This group of hardworking volunteers host rodeo Prescott and make sure to maintain and continue the legacy of the old rodeo USA.
Today, professional rodeo has become a multibillion-dollar industry spanning across 750 different locations in the United States. People come from all over the south-west to come to Prescott with a nice cool weather and the west that is the charm of Northern Arizona real estate can offer. This event is for all family members with the fine arts and crafts, parade, children’s parade, exciting events, rodeos and a wonderful fireworks display at the end of the evening.