There are two major events happening in the Tucson area this week. Many visitors from all over the world are expected to blow into town. Tourists, fans and even celebrities! The two events I'm speaking of are the 84th Annual Tucson Rodeo and the Accenture Match Play Championship.
Here's a little history about the famed Tucson Rodeo, aka Fiesta De Los Vaqueros. It all started in 1925 when a man named Leighton Kramer decided to put together an event that would attract visitors to town as well as showcase Tucson's "wild west" roots. Oddly enough, Leighton was also the president of the Arizona Polo Association. Even though this was during the prohibition era and many local businesses didn't support the idea, the first Tucson Rodeo was a huge success. The rodeo parade was led down the middle of town on the dirt streets viewed by more than 300 people. The headline in the local paper in 1925 read, "cowboys are asked not to shoot up the town". The University of Arizona declared it a holiday and to this day school children in the area enjoy two days off for the rodeo.
We've come a long way since 1925 and the popularity has soared. Today the Tucson Rodeo is in the top 25 professional rodeo events in North America. The parade is now viewed by more than 200,000 fans. Rodeo prize money now exceeds $320,000. The rodeo and the grounds have been featured in many Hollywood movies. Since 1962 the rodeo has been broadcast on national television. You will even notice many business men and women walking around wearing jeans, boots and even cowboy hats in honor of this Tucson tradition. As a matter of fact, I will be dusting off my cowgirl had and chaperoning a class field trip to the rodeo this week!
As well as Trevor Brazile (currently the star of the rodeo circuit) being in town this week we will also be host to Tiger Woods (the star of the golf circuit). The Accenture Match Play Championship is actually held in Marana, just north of Tucson. And this year it will be played on the brand new Ritz Carlton Golf Course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Sixty four of the world's top golf players will be visiting our little spot in the desert and battle it out for the Walter Hagen Cup.
Fans all over the golf world have much to say about this course. Touted as the longest course on the PGA tour with tricky greens. Not to mention that ticket sales have been through the roof! People are expected to come from all over to see if Tiger can come back from his recent injury or if it is someone else's turn to shine.
Now personally, I'm not a golf fan. But I do live on the same side of town as the golf tournament. And let me tell you for the few days that the event will last this town will be buzzing! "Tiger sightings" are heard of all over town. Though they could become commonplace soon since he just completed construction on his custom home here in Marana.
So after the tourists, rodeo fans, golf fanatics and celebrities have moved on we will be left to resume our humble desert living. But the good news is the local economy will benefit greatly and maybe Tucson and Marana will gain a little notoriety and become known as pretty cool places to be even if we are in the middle of the desert.
By the way if you want more information about these events you can visit these websites:
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