Cave Creek Rodeo Days in March

Cave Creek Rodeo Days celebrates 43 years with two weekends of fun! Sponsored by Sanderson Ford, the popular event kicks off on Saturday, March 21 starting at 9 a.m. with the festive Cave Creek Rodeo Days parade through town. The fun continues that day at The Buffalo Chip Saloon with Mutton Bustin’ at noon (sign up is at 11 a.m.). The Buffalo Chip Saloon is also sponsoring the Kick-Off Dance that night. On Tuesday, March 24, the Cave Creek Rodeo Days Golf Tournament will take place at Rancho Mañana Golf Club in Cave Creek. Rodeo performances will take place at Cave Creek Memorial Arena March 27-29 with three thrilling PRCA rodeo performances featuring topranking Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) contestants. New this year: A breakaway roping for women competition on Friday, March 27. Breakaway roping is a variation of calf roping where a calf is roped, but not thrown and tied. This year’s new event will take place after the morning barrel racing slack competition. Slack is the preliminary competition for any excess entries, and it’s free for the public to attend and watch. Entries will be taken at the arena starting at 8 a.m. The top 20 breakaway roping competitors will then compete during a third round for the $1,200 prize from Cave Creek Rodeo Days plus 75 percent of

the entry fees. In addition, the top five contestants will run one more calf during the Sunday, March 29 performance for a chance to win $300 bonus prize money. Rodeo weekend will also feature many fun activities and nightlife throughout the Town of Cave Creek. Ride to and from town to participate in all the exciting events going on and be sure to take the bus Saturday if you are going back to Harold’s Corral for the Official Rodeo Dance on March 28. Rodeo weekend, the town will be packed as locals and visitors take advantage of the free shuttle buses to the rodeo grounds. (Buses run Friday and Saturday ONLY). Gates open at 5 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, March 27 and March 28, with PRCA performances starting at 7:30 p.m. Gates open on Sunday, March 29 at noon with the PRCA performance starting at 2 p.m. While parking at the rodeo arena is free, taking the free shuttle bus from town is easy, plus you can save $5 when purchasing tickets on the bus. Pick-up locations are in downtown Cave Creek and also at the corner of Cave Creek Road and Carefree Highway. Check the website for specific locations and departure times. Ride free, with or without a ticket. Rodeo ticket prices range from $27 to $200, with discounts available online through March 20.