Tucson: Events: Tucson Rodeo & Parade

Jim Griffith named Grand Marshall of the 2010 Tucson Rodeo Parade

The 2010 Tucson Rodeo Parade will be held February 25, 2010. Entry information for those who want to participate in the Parade may be obtained by calling 520-294-1280 or through www.tucsonrodeoparade.org. Deadline for entry is January 15, 2010.

The Tucson Rodeo Parade starts at 9:00 A.M. at Ajo Way west of Park Ave., and proceeds south on Park to Irvington Rd., west on Irvington Rd. to 6th Avenue, passing the grandstands on Irvington Rd. between 3rd Ave. and 6th Ave.

The Tucson Rodeo Parade is honored to present James “Big Jim” Griffith as its 2010 Grand Marshal.

Tucson Rodeo Parade

Thursday, February 25, 2010 9:00 a.m.

Broadcast live on KOLD-TV channel 13 and Public Access TV

Teacher, founder, anthropologist, author, story teller, award-winning musician, and folklorist all describe the 2010 Tucson Rodeo Parade Grand Marshal, James “Big Jim” Griffith.

For over four decades Big Jim has studied folkways and religious expression throughout the United States-Mexico border region. Griffith’s work as an academic and public folklorist has been extraordinary and his legacy includes founding the Southwest Folklore Center at the University of Arizona and the annual Tucson Meet Yourself Folk Arts Festival.

Jim Griffith was born in Santa Barbara, California, and came to Tucson in 1955 to attend the University of Arizona. He has considered himself a permanent Tucson resident since 1963.

He loves Southern Arizona and has said, “I guess I’ll stay in Tucson as long as it gets worse slower than other places.” He received all three of his degrees from the University of Arizona, the Ph.D. in cultural anthropology and art history in 1973.

From 1979 until his retirement in 1998 he ran the University’s Southwest Folklore Center. He is currently a Research Associate at the Center. With his wife, Loma, he started Tucson Meet Yourself in 1974. The celebration of Tucson’s ethnic and cultural diversity now draws over 100,000 participants annually. Although he retired as director of the festival in 1995, he is once again heavily involved in this project.

Starting in 1985, he wrote and hosted “Southern Arizona Traditions,” a weekly 3- minute spot on KUAT-TV’s Arizona Illustrated program. For 2 years in the late 1980s he wrote a monthly column on “Local Custom” for the now-defunct City Magazine.

He was curator for eleven exhibitions of regional traditional arts, the most recent being “La Cadena Que No Se Corta/The Unbroken Chain: The Traditional Arts of Tucson’s Mexican American Community,” at the University of Arizona Museum of Art in the winter of 1996-7. Griffith has written seven books on Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico folk arts, traditions and religious art.

He has been honored by several literary societies and includes such awards as the 2005 Henry Glassie Award and the 2009 Pima County Library Lifetime Achievement Award. He is currently researching for a book on the religious art of Sonora, and finishing a guide to regional folklore.

Big Jim is also an accomplished and award-winning banjo player. He recorded Dixie Cowboy, a CD collection of bluegrass and folk tunes, and also collected the songs and wrote the liner notes for the CD Heroes and Horses: Corridos of the Arizona-Sonora Borderlands, Jim Griffith’s professional commitment has always been to try to understand the cultures of this part of the border, and to pass along that understanding, as respectfully and accurately as possible, to the general public.

His commitment to the history and culture of the Southwest make Big Jim a natural selection as Grand Marshal.

Cowgirls W/Heart Rodeo Dance

El Casino Ballroom, 437 E. 26th St. (NW corner of 26th St. & 2nd Ave), Tucson, AZ 85713. Contact Person: Diane Storms, 520-954-4355. Time: Doors open @ 6:00 p.m. Band starts @ 8:00 p.m.-midnight. Cost: $10.00 per person All Ages. Under 18 yrs must be accompanied by an adult.

With price of admission a "Chance to Win" a commemorative Montana Silversmith Belt Buckle courtesy of Lady-N-Lace at Silver Hills Trading Company, Tombstone AZ. The Pat James Band (country music artist and songwriter). Full Bar available for 21 and over. Food available for purchase- Chicago Hot Dogs. A portion of the proceeds to Benefit the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum. tickets are purchased at the door. Free parking. Event posted on www.TucsonRodeoParade.com

New Parade Route for the 2010 Tucson Rodeo Parade

There is pre-Parade entertainment in the Grandstand area beginning at 8:00 A.M.

Billed as the country's longest non-motorized rodeo parade, this two-hour spectacle features western-themed floats and buggies, historic horse-drawn coaches, festive Mexican folk dancers, marching bands and outfitted riders. An estimated 200,000 spectators view the parade each year.

Over 200 non-motorized entries are featured. The Parade route begins at Park Ave. and Ajo Way; proceeds south on Park to Irvington Road; proceeds west on Irvington Road to the Tucson Rodeo Grounds at S. 6th Ave. Route is one and one-half mile long.

The Parade day begins at 8:00 a.m. at the Grandstand seating area with pre-parade entertainment. The actual Parade begins at 9:00 a.m.

Grandstand seating is available on a first come basis. To get the best seats, arrive early. Tickets may be purchased at the Tucson Rodeo Parade Office, 4856 S. Sixth Ave., after January 15, 2010, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or at the ticket booths on Irvington Road the morning of the Parade.

Grandstand tickets may be purchased at the Rodeo Parade Office, 4823 S. 6th Ave., online at www.tucsonrodeoparade.org and by phone with a credit card, 520-294-1280. Tickets are $6.00 for adults; $4.00 for children. Tickets may also be purchased Parade morning near the grandstands at $7.00 adults; $5.00 under 12 years. For Rodeo information please call 520-741-2233.

* - During the Rodeo, Feb 21-March 1, 2009 - Museum operates on reduced hours! Call 520-294-1280.

Seating for the Rodeo Parade

Grandstand seating is located at Irivington Road and S. 6th Avenue. Grandstand entertainment begins at 8:00 a.m. and the Parade starts to roll at 9:00 a.m.

Judges and Reviewing stands are located on the south side of Irvington close to Sixth Ave. Grandstand seating is on Irvington Road. Seating in this area requires ticketing which can be purchased at Ticket Booths near the Grandstands or in advance at The Rodeo Parade Office.

Tucson Rodeo Parade Parade Tickets

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children (under 12). Viewing areas along route at no charge. Purchase tickets at www.TucsonRodeoParade.org, or parade tickets can be purchased at The Parade Office at 4823 S. 6th Avenue, or by calling 520-294-1280. Parking is available at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds. Parking rate is $5 per car.

Shuttle service (wheelchair accessible) is provided from area malls on Sun Tran busses. Call (520) 792-9222 for information, or go to www.suntran.com.

2010 Tucson Rodeo Museum Schedule:

Made even more famous by the PBS ANTIQUES ROADSHOW the unique Museum re-opens January 4, 2010 to April 17, 2010* with new exhibits, ADA access and bathroom facilities. Here you can walk among over 125 horse-drawn vehicles and the great displays featuring life as it was in late-1800 Tucson. See this year's schedule at the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum.

Tucson Rodeo Parade Grand Marshals

Tucson Mayor Robert E. Walkup, 2009 TucsonMayor Walkup is the 2009 Tucson Rodeo Parade Grand Marshal

The new Grand Marshall for the 2009 Tucson Rodeo Parade is Tucson's Mayor Robert (Bob) E. Walkup. Mayor Walkup was named during the annual Tucson Rodeo Parade press conference.

Humberto Lopez named 2008 Tucson Rodeo Parade Grand Marshal

A self-made man, Humberto Lopez has washed dishes, dig ditches, worked fields, bagged groceries, and became one of the most recognized members of Tucson's business and non profit communities.

Lopez is recognized as the Tucson Rodeo Parade Grand Marshal for 2008 because he is a mentor, a leader, and a contributor to the community.

When Lopez was 12, his father died unexpectedly and his world changed dramatically. Both his mother and Lopez, who was the oldest of six children, went to work to support the family. Years of poverty followed.

He soon learned that the best way to escape the life of pverty was through education. His success came through hard work, perserverance and life lessons from family. Humberto holds two Public Accountant Certifications and a Bachelor's degree. He is president and co-founder of HSL Properties Inc, which deals primarily in the purchase, investment and development of real estate. He is active in community events, fundraisers and service organizations.

Former Surgeon General Carmona chosen as 2007 Grand Marshal for the Tucson Rodeo Parade

In a "roast style" presentation, former U.S. General Surgeon, and Tucson hero, Richard H. Carmona, was selected as the 2007 Grand Marshal of the 82nd Tucson Rodeo Parade.

Dr. Carmona, who finished his term as 17th Surgeon General of The United States, now serves as the Vice Chairman of Canyon Ranch and the CEO of the Canyon Ranch Health Division.

Originally trained in general and vascular surgery after medical school, Dr. Carmona began a second career in public health that propelled him to receive unanimous confirmation by the Senate in 2002 as theSurgeon General. Dr. Carmona also served as the Pima County Sheriff's Department surgeon and deputy sheriff.

History of the Tucson Rodeo Parade

(from tucsonrodeoparade.org) In 1924, Frederick Leighton Kramer, President of the Arizona Polo Association and later recognized as the Founder of the Tucson Rodeo and Rodeo Parade, gathered a group of local business men to discuss the possibility of having a Rodeo.

This group included C. James and Albert H. Condron, President and Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, respectively. Also Monte Mansfield, a local car dealer, M. H. Starkweather, Architect, "Jack" J.C. Kinny and Bud Parker, local and well respected cattlemen, were present at the meeting.

This was the inspiration and moving force that made it possible for the Tucson Rodeo and Tucson Rodeo Parade to take place on February 21, 1925.In "Progressive Arizona - 1925", Kramer observed, "The City of Tucson excelled itself the day of its first Rodeo Parade called "La Fiesta de los Vaqueros". The first Parade was led by Major Nuestatter, Tucson's veteran Parade Leader, followed by the Band of the 25th Infantry from Nogales.

Next was the Platoon of the Reserve Officers Unit, Polo Players, cowboys and cowgirls, buggies, wagons, Indians and lastly the Band of the 10th U.S, Cavalry from Ft. Huachuca.

Read more about the history of the Tucson Parade. Request copies of The 2006 and 2007 Parades on DVD (100 mins) which includes Grand Marshall Press Conference.

TUCSON RODEO PARADE SPONSORSHIP

Sponsors of the Parade will have their names in front of Arizona's largest single spectator event --- over 200,000 spectators on the Parade route + 'live' Television broadcasting to over 40,000 households. There are a variety of Sponsor programs one of which can fit your needs and budget. Call our office or Bob Stewart at 520-591-9585 for information.

Tucson Parade website: www.TucsonRodeoParade.org

Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee, Inc. P.O. Box 1788 Tucson, Arizona 85702 Phone: 520-294-1280 Museum: 520-294-3636

Tucson Rodeo: www.tucsonrodeo.com

Tucson Parade and Rodeo Index

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Tucson Rodeo Parade & Museum

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