Community prepares wagons ahead of Rodeo Parade | Community

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – The La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros is in full swing and preparations for this year’s Rodeo Parade are also underway. Like the rodeo itself, this year marks the 101st anniversary of the parade.

A total of 73 wagons are set to participate, with the theme being the celebration the United States’ 250th birthday.

News 4 Tucson caught up with Youth On Their Own, a Tucson-based nonprofit, as they prepared their wagon for the parade. Maribel Miranda, an employee with the organization, shared her excitement about participating for the first time.

“We’re out here every year watching other wagons, but this year we’ll be participating,” Miranda said. “It’s exciting and awesome! We just can’t wait. I just hope that the weather stays this way.”

Miranda added that the nonprofit is also celebrating its 40th year of helping homeless and at-risk youth in Tucson. Other organizations decorating wagons include the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, the Tucson Police Department and the League of Mexican American Women.

Herb Wagner with the Tucson Rodeo Parade expressed his enthusiasm for the event.

“It’s really cool because we have generations coming out here. We’ve had people saying, my grandfather brought me out and now I’m bringing my grandkids out. So we’re talking about three or four generations of keeping this tradition alive,” Wagner said.

The rodeo parade kicks off at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26. News 4 Tucson will be there to cover the festivities.