Citizen Staff Writer
Parade starts at 9 a.m. Thursday
It’s time to put on those cowboy hats and boots and mosey on over to the 84th annual Tucson Rodeo Parade on Thursday. Thousands flock each year to see the world’s longest nonmotorized parade. It’s all part of how Tucsonans celebrate their Western heritage. The parade is part of La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, which runs through Sunday at the Rodeo Grounds on South Sixth Avenue.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Police will start closing streets to motor vehicles along the parade route at 7 a.m. Thursday and will have all parade route streets closed by 8 a.m.
The parade will begin at South Park Avenue and East Ajo Way, head south on Park to East Irvington Road and then west on Irvington to the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. Sixth Ave.
Grandstand seating is available at Irvington and South Sixth Avenue. Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for kids under 13. Tickets may be purchased Thursday in the grandstand area.
For more information, go to tucsonrodeoparade.com.
Parking
Parking is available near the Rodeo Grounds but is on a first-come basis. Plan to arrive early as grandstand entertainment begins at 8 a.m.
Shuttle
Park at Park Place, in the southeast corner just south of Park Place Drive, or at Tucson Mall, east of American Home Furnishings, and ride the Sun Tran shuttle to and from the parade. Round-trip fare is $1; children ages 5 and younger ride free. People ages 65 and older, with disabilities or with ADA or Medicare cards pay 50 cents for round trip. The shuttles will pick up people at the malls between 7 and 9 a.m. and deliver them to the Rodeo Grounds.
Parade Rules
Spectators
• It is illegal to hold, sell or give out objects that could distract horses at the parade or to do anything that could startle a horse. Horns, balloons and fireworks are explicitly forbidden.
• The law prohibits doing anything to block, impede or interfere with the parade, and moving signs and barricades.
• It is illegal to go onto the roads designated part of the parade route if you are not a participant.
• Sitting on curbs, which will be painted red, is prohibited.
• Vendors are not allowed to walk around after the parade starts at 9 a.m. Thursday.
• Police will begin closing streets to motor vehicles along the parade route at 7 a.m. and will close them all at 8 a.m.
Sources: City ordinance, Tucson police, Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee
The ‘Human Stampede’
A foot race, the “Human Stampede,” will precede the parade about 8:45 a.m. Thursday and will follow the parade route, said Herb Wagner, a parade committee spokesman.
The race’s organizer, Steve Taggart, the owner of Tagg Running Events, said the race will benefit the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum.
By Wednesday, 25 runners had registered. Taggart said he hoped to get at least 50 signed up. Anyone interested in joining the race may get details, including an online registration form, at www.taggrun.com.