If you have a yen for yesteryear, rassle your Wranglers and head to Queen Creek this weekend for Roots N’ Boots.
The three-day event includes three professional rodeo performances, a carnival midway, live music and a free family rodeo complete with stick horse races, a non-greased pig contest, mutton bustin’ for kids 3-8, a calf scramble for kids 6-13 and lawn mower races. The races, sponsored by the Arizona Lawn Mower Racing Association, run from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, and are a spectator favorite.
New this year, you can pre-register for the Ranch Dressing Contest, where teams of three dress and parade a small animal before a judges’ panel.
The carnival midway opens at 3 p.m. Friday and runs all weekend. Professional rodeo performances are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Registration for the family rodeo opens at 9 a.m. Saturday, with events beginning at 10 a.m. and running throughout the day. On Sunday, participants are welcome to join Pastor Billy Van Camp for Cowboy Church at 9 a.m. before activities begin at 10 a.m.
Details >> 3 p.m. to 10 p.m Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Center, 20464 E. Riggs Road, Queen Creek. Free general and family rodeo admission, $5 parking; PRCA performances are $25 for box seats, $15 for adults, and $7 for children 12 and younger; $40 for a family of four. All-day ride tickets are $18 if pre-purchased or $28 the day of. Tickets available at Saba’s, 21158 S. Ellsworth Road Loop, Queen Creek; Higley Feed, 3091 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert; and Crazy Horse Saddle Shop, 1484 W. Apache Trail, Apache Junction. www.rootsnboots.org.
