|By Amanda Oien, Photography by Kristen Brockel

Since the Prohibition Days of 1925, cowboys and cowgirls have been kicking up dust at Tucson's rodeo grounds during La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, Spanish for "the cowboy party."

Frederick Leighton Kramer, a winter visitor, gave the Old Pueblo it's renowned rodeo and parade in an effort to draw visitors to Tucson during the winter months. Back then, 25 cents would get a family of four a ride from downtown to the rodeo grounds.

Now, the week long affair means kids get a few days off from school for "Rodeo Break," with most younger kids either taking part in or attending the Rodeo Parade, which is known to be the largest non-motorized parade in the country.

Events at the rodeo grounds include bull riding, women's barrel racing, team roping, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and bareback riding as well as some kids events like mutton bustin'.

This year, the Tucson Rodeo has been postponed to February 19-27, 2022, due to Covid. But in the meantime, reminisce with us with these photos from the 2020 Tucson Rodeo.