Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: The Day family and others dress the part for the Pioneer Days Parade in 2019. While most festivities are still canceled this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Pioneer Days Rodeo will take place Friday, July 23, at the Vard Lines Memorial Arena in Pima, starting at 7 p.m.
Staff Reports
PIMA – While other festivities for Pioneer Days have been canceled due to uncertainties and restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pioneer Days Rodeo will still go on for those who want to cowboy up and have a hootin’ and hollerin’ good time.
The rodeo will take place on Friday, July 23, at the Vard Lines Memorial Arena in Pima, starting at 7 p.m. Event signups will be held from 6 – 6:45 p.m.
Events include:
Grand Entry – anyone with a horse can participate
Boot Race – Age groups include 6 and under, 7 – 10, 11 – 13, and 14 and up. Don’t forget to bring your boots!
Stick Horse Race – Same age groups as the Boot Race. Bring your own stick.
Cowhide Race – A horseback rider will pull a rider on a cowhide down the arena around a barrel and back. This event is limited to 40 teams with each person allowed two runs.
Grease Pigs/Wild Chickens Grab – Pigs and chickens will be released into the area for children to catch. Age groups include 6 and under, 7 – 10, and 11 – 17.
Cowboy Musical Chairs – Riders will start at the top of the arena, all sitting on a chair while holding their horse. When the music starts, riders will mount their horses and race to the bottom of the arena, dismount, and locate a chair to sit. The last rider not able to find a chair is out. A chair is removed after each run until only one winner is left. Divisions include youth 17 and under, female division, and an open division for adults.
Ribbon Roping – A roper snags a calf out of the chute and muggers hold the calf while the other member of the team grabs a ribbon off the tail of the calf and races back to the top of the arena. This event is limited to 30 teams of male/female combinations only. Each person is allowed two runs.
Mormon Team Roping – A header on horseback ropes the steer’s head and turns it for the heeler who is on foot to rope the steer’s feet. This event is limited to 30 teams with two runs per person.
For more information contact Troy Judd at 520-507-7000.
