Prescott Frontier Days ties family with fun in annual sold-out event

Yee-Haul: Prescott Frontier Days ropes in sold-out crowds and ties family with fun

Bobby Kerr took his mustangs and dogs with him after he completed his show at the Prescott Rodeo, also known as the “World’s Oldest Rodeo.” (Photo by Brianna Garcia/Cronkite News)

PRESCOTT – Prescott Frontier Days kicked off at the end of June under wet conditions.

On the second day of the annual rodeo from June 28 to July 4, sold-out crowds dodged raindrops to watch the full slate of competitors in action. Time and judged events included the wild horse race, steer-wrestling, bareback riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, barrel racing and the popular bull riding.

Some cowboys and cowgirls in action wore pink to honor breast cancer survivors during “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” night. The third day of the rodeo drew another sold-out crowd and honored first responders in Prescott before kicking off the scheduled events.

The “World’s Oldest Rodeo” boasts a deep history.

Originally a professional cowboy tournament organized by Arizona merchants and professional businessmen, the first Prescott Rodeo was July 4, 1888. In 1913, the rodeo was renamed Prescott Frontier Days by a committee of the Yavapai County Fair Association. The name “World’s Oldest Rodeo” was registered by the U.S. Patent Office in 1985.

Prescott Frontier Days was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2008 and has since joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to bring professional competitors from the U.S. and Canada.

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