Started in 1884, the annual “World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo” is a world-famous event that celebrates its 141st consecutive year Aug. 16-17 in Payson.
The first rodeos in Payson provided local ranchers and cowhands a chance to get together and compare their roping and ranching skills during the annual down time before the big fall roundup. There were only a couple of events in those early rodeos but soon cowboys from all over the state and beyond were showing up to compete in new events like bronc busting, bull riding and steer roping.
Early Payson rodeos weren't held in fancy arenas. In fact, the original venue was a meadow near the intersection of Main Street and Highway 87/The Beeline. Wagons and later automobiles created barriers to line Main Street to form the “arena.”
This year’s activities will feature everything from beautiful rodeo royalty to the Shiner’s participation in the annual rodeo parade.
Named the country's “Best Small Rodeo” by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), which sanctions the event, and the “Official Best Small Town PRCA Rodeo in the West” by True West Magazine, the event continues to attract the best rodeo competitors from all over the world to compete for substantial prize money.
Event details
Rodeo performances start at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights and at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon on the weekend of Aug. 16-17. The event takes place at the Payson Event Center, located at 1400 S. Beeline Highway.
Gates open two hours prior to the performances. Friday is the Wrangler Bucking Cancer night that helps raise funds for local breast cancer support groups. Saturday evening is the Patriot Performance that honors our returning, fallen and wounded veterans with a special tribute during the rodeo. Saturday afternoon is Family Day with prizes for kids.
The rodeo festivities include the Rodeo Parade Aug. 17 at 9 a.m. on Historic Main Street in Payson. It includes clowns, rodeo queens and their courts, the Payson High School band, local floats, riders, first responder teams and many other great entries from all over the state.
Join in the fun when real cowboys and cowgirls strut their stuff along with floats, cars, tractors, team bands and units of the El Zaribah Shriners. The parade will go east from Green Valley Park along Main Street to Sawmill Crossing.
Announcers along the parade route will keep attendees posted on the coming entries and provide music for their entertainment. Event organizers recommend that parade attendees bring chairs and water.
Adding to the fun, on Friday and Saturday nights, attendees can kick up their heels at the Payson Pro Rodeo Official Boots & Bling after party and dance at the Payson Rodeo Grounds.
The band will begin playing at 9 p.m. each night and there is no cover charge for rodeo ticket holders. The cover charge is only $5 if you did not attend the rodeo. This is a family-friendly event but those under 21 must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets and more event information can be found at paysonprorodeo.com or by calling 928-295-8109.
