Riding into Scottsdale to the beat of horses’ hooves is the 54th annual Parada del Sol festivities. The longest-running public event in the history of “The West’s Most Western Town,” the parade and rodeo draw upwards of 170,000 people.
This is the latest start in the year for Parada del Sol; the Scottsdale Jaycees are through competing with pro golf and high-dollar auto auctions. Also, the parade’s new date is designed to no longer conflict with high school band competitions. The fun begins Saturday morning with the famous parade, and three days of rodeo starts March 2. Shine those spurs, dust off your Stetson and party until the cows come home.
Parada del Sol Parade
Scottsdale loves a parade, and Parada del Sol delivers. Anticipated this year are 100 entries, including marching bands, floats, dancers and nearly 1,000 horses. Special guests include Phoenix Suns legend Tom Chambers, Western artist JD Challenger, KMLE (107.9 FM) morning host Dave Pratt, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the Hashknife Pony Express. Afterward, there’s the Trail’s End celebration, a huge block party with music, food and drink, an art show, cowboy skills demonstrations, pony rides and games.
Bucking broncs, raging bulls and little dogies gittin’ along. The Parada del Sol’s rodeo is three days of the greatest show on dirt. This competition features events pitting man against beast. If a beast gets the upper hand, clowns and barrel men will protect the ropers. This event, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, will feature five performances at WestWorld of Scottsdale’s Equidome Arena. Following the events on March 2 and 3, there will be dances and concerts.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: scottsdalejaycees.org/paradadelsol/
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Parada del Sol Parade
WHEN: Saturday at 10 a.m.
WHERE: The self-proclaimed World’s Largest Horse Drawn Parade heads north on Scottsdale Road from Oak Street to Indian School Road and features western pageantry, clowns, floats and nearly 1,000 horses.
COST: Free
IF YOU GO
WHAT: 54th Annual Parada del Sol Rodeo
WHEN: March 2-4
WHERE: See cowboys, rodeo clowns, cows, bulls and horses at the Equidome at WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road (Loop 101 and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard).
COST: $14-$20 for adults, $12-$20 for kids. Tickets available at the gate or in advance atwww.ticketmaster.com
