Young Kids Take on
an Old Rodeo
For 76 years the historic town of Florence, Arizona, has been the scene of its annual Junior Parada on Saturday and Sunday on the late November holiday weekend.

This Florence Junior Parada is the oldest sanctioned youth rodeo in the United States.  It pits the youngest of riders against the oldest of venues to showcase their youthful cowboy skills. The rodeo attracts youngsters ages five to 18 from across the Southwest. Over the years, some of these youngsters have gone on to compete nationally. The rodeo is held Saturday afternoon and Sunday.

The Saturday morning rodeo parade evokes times past with stagecoaches, mounted posses and young and old on horseback. However, adding to the parade are vintage vehicles, clowns, line dancers, and more so everyone who wishes is included. Through the many years of the Parada, celebrities such as Gene Autry, Ken Curtis of Gunsmoke fame, and other notables have led the parade down Florence’s historic Main Street as Parade Marshals.

This year the parade down Main Street will be led by Grand Marshal Adolfo “Harpo” Celaya. Celaya was a young sailor during World War II, stationed on the U. S. S. Indianapolis when the ship was sunk in the Pacific.  Celaya was one of the few who survived the shark-infested waters. Florence is honoring this naval hero this Junior Parada Weekend, November 29th and 30th.

While for many attendees, the Florence Junior Parada is a yearly must-see event, newcomers to the area and visitors who haven’t spent much time in the Old West will catch the “Cowboy Spirit” and enjoy their time spent in Florence, the “Cowboy Cradle of the Great Southwest.”

The Junior Parada is a charity event sponsored by the Town of Florence, Pinal County Mounted Posse, and the Pinal County Historical Museum.  Proceeds benefit youth programs across Pinal County. Don’t miss this unique slice of Western life that combines the best of young rodeo talent and an authentic old West town of many historic adobes of the 19th Century. If time allows, visit the historic district, museums, fine restaurants and stores in Florence to round out your Western experience.

Chris Reid from the Pinal County Historical Museum was interviewed about the rodeo on our online history radio show, Way Back When, on October 3, 2008. To listen to the entire, unedited show, please click here. To listen to Chris' interview, please double click on the Play Button below.