Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo kicks off today
Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo kicks off today, mixes traditions
Organizers of the Yuma Jaycees’ Silver Spur Rodeo are marking the event’s 73rd year by mixing popular fresh events with old standbys in the lineup.
This year, the rodeo will feature the Motocross Versus Barrels competition. The event was only just incorporated a few years ago as part of the rodeo that has been running for over seven decades, according to Greg Gardner, past Silver Spur Rodeo chairman and spokesman for this year’s event.
He notes that the Yuma Jaycees and others decided to keep the competition because it is a “crowd pleaser.”
“It’s an event that most people say ‘How does that fit in the rodeo?’ but the crowd really enjoys it,” Gardner said. “It’s an interesting event that we added about four or five years ago. We opened it to dirt bikes. We set the barrel pattern like the barrel races and they run out to the arena.
“They have to do a pattern on their bikes,” he added. “They get timed and whoever gets the quickest time gets the cash prize.”
The rodeo will take place from Friday to Sunday at the Yuma County Fairgrounds, 2520 E. 32nd St.
Gates open at 2 p.m.,with rodeo performances beginning at 4 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, gates open at noon and the last day’s performance will begin at 2 p.m.
Aside from the motocross event, the other activities slated for the rodeo will adhere to tradition and include bareback and bull riding competitions, barrel racing, tie down calf roping and team roping events.
Gardner notes that the local rodeo attracts professional cowboys from around the western United States to compete in the
events. Another draw for spectators, he added, is the mutton bustin’ event for youngsters.
The Jaycees, along with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) will also show support to bring awareness of domestic violence this year by wearing purple during Friday’s performance. On Saturday, the Yuma Jaycees and others will gear up in pink for “Tough Enough to Wear Pink Day” in support of breast cancer awareness.
On Sunday, red will be worn by rodeo personnel for Military Appreciation Day.
General admission tickets are $15 each pre-sale and $20 each on the day of the show. Discount tickets are $13 each for military personnel, law enforcement officers, firefighters and seniors over 55.
Pre-sale tickets can be purchased in person at the Boot Barn, 242 W 32nd St; the Yuma’s Tractor Supply locations, 2221 W. 32nd St. and 10637 S. Frontage Road; Yuma Feed & Livestock Supply, 2291 E. Palo Verde St. and the Yuma Jaycees’ Clubhouse at the fairgrounds.
Advance tickets can also be purchased online at www.dirtroadtickets.com/events/yuma-jaycees-silverspur-rodeo/
Along with activities taking place at the fairgrounds, the rodeo will also bring its longstanding parade back into town. The theme for this year’s parade is Arizona’s five C’s: copper, cattle, cotton, citrus and climate.
Gardner said the parade route is the same as last year’s and it will assemble on the dirt lot on Maiden Lane. It will get underway Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
“It’s an event that most people say ‘How does that fit in the rodeo?’ but the crowd really enjoys it.”