Every year, several weeks
before the annual Tucson Rodeo Parade, the Grand Marshal is named to
host the parade. The Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee, Inc. is a non-profit
organization that plans and organizes the annual Tucson Rodeo Parade
and operates the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum, a collection of horse-drawn
vehicles and Western memorabilia.
Descendants of Rodeo and Parade Founder to Serve as Grand Marshals for 2025 Centennial Parade
Photo: Frederick Leighton Kramer
In 1925, a transplanted New York polo player, Frederick Leighton
Kramer, proposed to Tucson businessmen the idea of holding a rodeo to
help fund an Eastern trip for the local polo association, of which he
was president. Even though many local leaders thought the idea was
a waste of time, the idea took hold. The rodeo would be held at the
polo fields at Kramer’s Rancho Santa Catalina Ranch, located near the
current site of the University of Arizona hospital.
To kick off the three-day rodeo, a parade would wind through downtown
Tucson. Many businesses sponsored entries, and all rodeo participants
would be required to join the procession. The parade featured two
military bands, mounted cowboys, cowgirls, Native Americans, mounted
police, the old Butterfield stagecoach, local Native artist Lone Wolf
(who created the artwork for the first Rodeo Poster), and the University
of Arizona polo team. Prizes were awarded for Most Typical Cowboy and
Cowgirl, Prettiest Horse, Biggest Hat, Most Typical Prospector, and
Fattest and Skinniest Horse. Prizes included a 75-pound block of
ice, 100 pounds of potatoes, western wear and tack, and a “Big Cactus”
ham.
In honor of the founder of La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, the Tucson Rodeo
Parade Committee is proud to have descendants of Frederick Leighton
Kramer as Grand Marshals for the 100th Tucson Rodeo Parade.
Eleven direct descendants are being honored: two grandchildren, Hilton
McCabe and Mary Jean Marsh; four great-grandchildren, Scott McCabe, Mary
Ray, Carrie Albro, and Debbie Buterbaugh; three
great-great-grandchildren, Jordan Ray, Morgan Juntunen, and Sarah Rich;
and three great-great-great-grandchildren, Elijah Juntunen, Aaron
Juntunen, and Tiberius Rich. Most will ride in the 2025 Rodeo Parade.
The direct ties of this year’s Grand Marshals to the birth of the Tucson
Rodeo and Parade bring this year’s Rodeo Parade full circle with the
first “Celebration of the Cowboys.”
About the Tucson Rodeo Parade and Committee
The Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee, Inc. is a non-profit organization
that plans and organizes the annual Tucson Rodeo Parade and operates the
Tucson Wagon and History Museum, a collection of horse-drawn vehicles
and Western memorabilia. The 2025 parade will be on February 20 at 9
a.m. For more information about the Tucson Rodeo Parade, visit www.tucsonrodeoparade.org or call (520) 294-1280.
Tucson Rodeo Past Grand Marshals
2009: Mayor Bob Walkup
The new Grand Marshall for the 2009
Tucson Rodeo Parade is Tucson's Mayor Robert (Bob) E. Walkup was named
during the annual Tucson Rodeo Parade press conference.
2008: Humberto Lopez
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.
2007: Former Surgeon General Carmona
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.
For more information about the Tucson Rodeo Parade, visit www.tucsonrodeoparade.org or call (520) 294-1280.
The Legends and Treasures of the Santa Catalina Mountains
Discover the forgotten history and legends of
the Catalina Mountains– the lost Iron Door Mine, the lost city and the
lost mission; the history of Oracle and Buffalo Bill Cody's gold mines
in the Catalinas. Copies available at Tucson Rodeo Museum. By local
Tucson author Robert Zucker.
Read sample chapters, download FREE PDF and order online: Treasures of the Santa Catalina Mountains.