Prescott, Arizona, comes alive every summer with the excitement and pageantry of Prescott Frontier Days, the World’s Oldest Rodeo. Established in 1888, this historic event has become a beloved tradition, drawing visitors from near and far to celebrate the rich heritage of the American West. From thrilling rodeo competitions to a festive parade, Prescott Frontier Days offers a week of entertainment, history, and community spirit.
We stumbled upon it during our trip research and each year we have tried to participate in a July 4th parade. We knew there was no way we were missing this one!
The World’s Oldest Rodeo
The centerpiece of Prescott Frontier Days is the rodeo, a heart-pounding spectacle that showcases the skill and bravery of cowboys and cowgirls. Events include bull riding, bronc riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing, all performed by some of the best rodeo athletes in the country. The rodeo grounds buzz with excitement as spectators cheer on their favorites, witnessing firsthand the daring feats that have made this sport a symbol of Western culture.
We were staying in Sedona, AZ the week of the rodeo and though we tried to get tickets, it was quickly sold out. It’s also expensive but seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so we would have bought them if they were available!
Prescott Frontier Day’s Parade
One of the highlights of the celebration is the Prescott Frontier Days Parade, a vibrant procession that winds through downtown Prescott. The parade features an array of floats, marching bands, equestrian units, and historic reenactments, reflecting the town’s deep-rooted connection to its frontier past. Participants dress in period costumes, and the streets are lined with spectators eager to catch a glimpse of the pageantry. And when I say lined with spectators, they are sitting in their chairs 6, 7, and 8 people deep, or even more!
The parade is held at the end of the week as the rodeo wraps up, so even though July 4th was on a Thursday, the parade took place on Saturday the 6th. The streets are transformed into a lively scene of celebration. Local schools, businesses, and organizations take part, showcasing their creativity and community pride through elaborately decorated floats. Marching bands fill the air with rousing tunes, while equestrian units demonstrate impressive horsemanship, paying homage to the town’s cowboy roots.
Historic reenactment groups add an extra layer of authenticity to the parade, bringing to life scenes from Prescott’s storied past. The sight of riders in traditional cowboy attire, stagecoaches, and even an old-timey fire engine display an appreciation for the history that shaped the community.
And of course, there is plenty of candy and other trinkets being thrown to the kids as they line the streets. This is a parade not to be missed!
The Boot Race
After the parade has concluded and the streets have been cleaned up, the boot race gets underway in front of Whiskey Row. The annual race is a 100-yard dash (50 yards for youth) that requires the contestants to wear cowboy boots during the race in keeping with the western atmosphere of Prescott and the Frontier Days festivities.
Final Note:
We arrived at the parade early enough to find parking a few blocks from the main parade route. What we were unprepared for was the vast number of people already set up with their chairs in place. We did find a spot close to the start of the parade where there weren’t many chairs, but also in direct sun. This proved to be a problem as we ran out of water quickly and the kids complained of overheating. Additionally, we were some of the only people without chairs. At most parades we have been to, people are standing along the street as the parade passes by. Here, it appears that etiquette is to stay seated in your chair. We missed that memo and probably had plenty of comments thrown our way as we stood in the street with our girls. But ultimately, they loved it and so did we!
