Grab those cowboy boots and head on down to Queen Creek's Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre this weekend for the inaugural Cowboy Christmas.
Starting at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, and at noon on Saturday, Dec. 10, Friends of Horseshoe Park is hosting the event, which will feature 120 vendors, Santa Claus and a viewing party for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Entry and parking will be free.
“A lot of people go to Vegas just for the shopping during the National Finals Rodeo,” said Jon Wootten, president of Friends of Horseshoe Park. “(We had the idea that) wouldn’t it be great, because of high gas prices and people not traveling to Vegas just to shop, if we put on a shopping extravaganza here and televised the National Finals Rodeo in the arena?”
The National Finals Rodeo is the summation of the rodeo season with the top 15 contestants competing in multiple events for the glory and prize money. Cowboy Christmas attendees will be able to watch the televised event at the arena.
As for the shopping extravaganza, vendors vary in type but have one common theme: the Wild West. For those looking for western-themed holiday gifts, or perhaps just a really great hat, Cowboy Christmas is the place to be this weekend. Vendors include Yippee Ki-Yah Creations, Scentsy and Mountain Man AZ.
Friends of Horseshoe Park, the nonprofit hosting the event, advocates for the Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre and its mission for educating and preserving the agricultural and equestrian heritage of Queen Creek. It also hosts the annual Roots N' Boots rodeo as a way to keep the country lifestyle alive in town.
“The other aspect (Roots N' Boots) is to continue to give an opportunity to town residents to be around the equestrian, agricultural and ranch lifestyle,” Wootten added.
Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre is located at 20464 E. Riggs Road. For more information, visit rootsnboots.org/cowboy-christmas.
