Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo Grounds

12/20/2024

Our Whiskey Women and Wine event is happening again this year, if you haven’t experienced it yet, it’s a must!

Looking for a rodeo stocking stuffer for the Mrs.?! 🎄

(Ages 21 and up and women only)

Join Prescott Frontier Days® for their 3rd Annual “World’s Oldest Rodeo – Whiskey, Women, & Wine” Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund (JCCF) fundraiser! This charity event is a fun way for the women of the Prescott community to enjoy wine tasting, a live/silent auction, appetizers, and a meet ‘n’ greet with some of ProRodeo’s star athletes. Last year, the event raised over $25,000 for the JCCF. This event is made possible by the generous support from individuals and businesses like you wanting to help give cowboys and cowgirls “A Hand Up.”

The JCCF was formed in 1989 when the Justin Boot Company partnered with the PRCA to establish the fund. The premise is to lend a helping hand to professional rodeo athletes and their families when catastrophic injuries occur. The fund fills the financial hardship when a severe injury interferes with the careers of those who have dedicated their lives to the sport of rodeo.

$1000 table purchase, you receive:
1 table gets 8 rodeo seats and event table seats
Appetizers provided by The Barley Hound
2 drink tickets per person
2 complimentary bottles of wine
Your company logo on a table & rodeo big screen
A special WWW belt buckle
Our special commemorative swag bag

$100 seat purchase, you receive:
1 seat at event plus rodeo ticket
Appetizers provided by The Barley Hound
2 drink tickets
Our special commemorative swag bag

The Justin Boot Company generously underwrites all administrative costs associated with managing the fund. The JCCF dedicates 100% of all contributions received for disbursement to eligible applicants and has assisted more than 1,300 injured rodeo athletes and their families with more than $9.4 million in assistance since its inception. Learn more about our fund and our fundraising at www.justincowboycrisisfund.org

The Whiskey, Women, & Wine fundraiser will be held Friday July 4th, 2025 at 3pm in the Freeman Building at the Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo Grounds.

On behalf of Prescott Frontier Days, thank you ladies for supporting our fundraising efforts. If you’d like to donate or have questions about this fundraiser, contact Summer at the Rodeo Office at (928) 445-3103.
[email protected]

No refunds on all tickets.
Photo Credit Blushing Cactus Photography

12/19/2024

Our Prescott Frontier Days, Inc. - World's Oldest Rodeo has gift cards available now!

Who wouldn’t like a gift card to our World’s Oldest Rodeo?? Our 2025 rodeo season is fast approaching and so are the holidays, so we decided to combine the two. 🎁

Fill those Christmas stockings with rodeo joy and get your friends and family a gift card to our Prescott Frontier Days®! ❄
Purchase online and redeem for our 2025 rodeo season.

Restrictions do apply.
🎄No refunds
🎅🏼No exchanges
☃️Good for 2025 rodeo season only
✨Seating is subject to availability

https://bit.ly/3Ztidd7 or visit: https://worldsoldestrodeo.com/ticket-sales/

11/11/2024

In 1957, a patriotic young man from small town in Oklahoma did what seemed logical to him – he lied about his age so he could join the Air National Guard. Michael J. Doyle -- “Mike J.” -- pursued his love for his country at that early age and hasn’t stopped since.

Mike attended Oklahoma State University and became an aviation cadet in 1962. He served in the U.S. Marines as an aviator flying Douglas A-4 Skyhawks, Grumman A-6 Intruders, and General Dynamics F-111F Aardvarks until 1973.

Doyle proudly served in Viet Nam where, as a Marine aviator, he flew A-4s, the single-seat subsonic carrier-capable light attack aircraft. After flying 226 combat missions and retiring as a Marine Corps Captain, he found that he missed the adrenaline rush and went on to drive open wheel race cars, join the French Foreign Legion, and perform military jumps with the Jordanian Special Forces team among other exciting events.

As he started his civilian life, Mike was a commercial pilot for Western Airlines until Delta absorbed them, then retired as a Delta pilot. He has fond memories of flying with Delta all over the world; his favorite liberty town was Paris. Doyle also stayed in the reserves as an Army attack helicopter pilot based in Salt Lake City, where he flew Bell AH-1 Cobras. “Flying guns is flying guns,” Mike related. “I only did it because it was guns.”


While working for Western Airlines, he would overnight in rodeo towns and looking once again for that adrenaline rush, became a bull rider. He and his pals would ride steers and shoot baskets until dark, then finally call it a night. The rush of the rodeo and the mentality of the rodeo experience proved to be a powerful attraction for him. “There are no whiners in rough stock,” he said with a smile.

Finding his way to Prescott, Mike has been an invaluable help to Prescott Frontier Day’s animal health section since mid-1970s, keeping a watchful eye on the spectacular animal athletes featured at the World’s Oldest Rodeo. He was the timed events chair in 1980-81, orchestrating the heart-pounding events like tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, and barrel racing where margins of victory are measured in hundredths of seconds. Mike also served on the PFD Board of Directors in 1982 and has been involved with the Prescott rodeo ever since.

Mike’s favorite thing about the rodeo is the tradition it promotes.
He admits, “I get a little wispy when they play the National Anthem,”
and truly appreciates the precious traditions the rodeo embodies.

Thank you, Mike J., for a lifetime of giving to your country and for your service to the World’s Oldest Rodeo here in Prescott as well. It’s an honor to serve with you as volunteers

10/28/2024

If you missed out on our Wrangler Bucking Cancer dinner this weekend we still have some insulated tumblers left over for sale in our rodeo office.
All proceeds stay local and benefit Dignity Health
💲30

840 Rodeo Drive Bldg D
928-445-3103

10/19/2024

💥The best local western chic boutique -- the Not Our First Rodeo store -- is now available at the Prescott Frontier Days® rodeo grounds. The store is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Friday from noon to 6:00 pm.

👉 At this authorized retailer of The World’s Oldest Rodeo® merchandise you’ll find custom hats and hat bands, boots, home décor, men’s, women’s, and children’s western-style clothing, jewelry, and purses to name a few items, plus PFD commemorative belt buckles, 2025 calendars, PFD-specific clothing, and so much more.

🤠 Prescott Frontier Days rodeo grounds are located at 840 Rodeo Drive. Walk in through Gate 10 and you’ll find Not Our First Rodeo in their traditional storefront behind the bleachers. The store will be open during any rodeo grounds on-site events, ready to help you put the perfect western chic outfit together or find unique holiday gifts.

👢 PFD president Kym Lopez relates, “we are rooted in tradition, at an affordable price. Embrace your western roots.”

👀For other ways to access their products, Not Our First Rodeo is always available online at www.worldsoldestrodeo.com and you can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram for the latest event dates

10/03/2024

Antique show happening this weekend!!

10/02/2024

👻Our annual Trunk Or Treat is happening again this year!

🎃Come join us and bring your kids out to have a safe trunk or treat experience filled with LOTS of candy.

🍭 If you’d like to come out and bring a vehicle and help pass out candy, contact our rodeo office today and get signed up to save a spot. Decorate your vehicle, yourself, and let’s have loads of safe fun for our kids in the neighborhood!

09/29/2024

In the 1940s, the ultimate summer racing event was found at the Prescott Downs Racetrack, located right in the center of downtown at the World’s Oldest Rodeo Grounds. Seeing the need for a starter gate, local Prescott businessmen Fred Schemmer, John Thompson, Jack Humes, Bruno Rezzonico, Les Mackin, Jack Whitney, Elmo Carr, and Shell Dunbar supplied the funds to build the gate for the sum of $100 each.

With the popularity of racing events, the original starting gate soon became outdated and was replaced by an eight-horse gate by 1952, also spring-loaded and “jerk” started, like the original. Summer racing became so popular that it eventually outgrew the rodeo grounds and in 2001 moved to the newly built Yavapai Downs Racetrack, a 120-acre facility in Prescott Valley. In the late 50s and through 2000 a new electric gate invented by Clay Pruett of the True Center Gate Co. was used.

This gate was cut down to four stalls and used for schooling and training at different ranches such as the O’Dell’s and Chuck Sheppard’s. The four-stall gate was left out in the ponderosa area in 2002, brought out and taken to the new Yavapai County Fairgrounds in “Lonesome Valley.” The tires still held air.

Dr. W. E. “Rex” Hinshaw, AZ racing commission veterinarian, found the original starting gate on some back acreage at the fairgrounds, rotting away. After restoring it, Dr. Hinshaw took it to the new fairgrounds and offered it for display. The fairgrounds closed, then reopened; Hinshaw refurbished the unit again for display at the “new” fairgrounds. Once the fairgrounds closed for the final time, Prescott Frontier Day’s Rex Hinshaw spoke up and offered to update it and paid to move it to PFD before the 137th World’s Oldest Rodeo this past June. “We brought it back home,” Rex stated.

Caption: Left, original gate before refurbishment. Now on permanent loan to the rodeo from Dr. W. E. “Rex” Hinshaw and Rex T. Hinshaw, the final starting gate can be seen at the World’s Oldest Rodeo at the Fair Street and Gail Gardner Drive intersection in Prescott. (Photos courtesy Yavapai County Fairgrounds and Yvonne Gibbs).

09/26/2024

Our 2024 Wrangler Bucking Cancer dinner is coming up October 26, 2024.
Join us for great food, auction items, and an incredible night benefiting the Baskin Breast Care Center.

09/20/2024

The World’s Oldest Rodeo® and the Sharlot Hall Museum: a Long-Time Partnership Appreciated

The intertwining of events and displays makes history real and interesting for people and Prescott’s Sharlot Hall Museum is an extraordinary example of pulling these components together to make Prescott what it is today. Prescott Frontier Days® -- World’s Oldest Rodeo® is a shining example of how a decades-long partnership with the museum has benefitted local communities as well as guests from around the world.



Typically, museum exhibits last for one year; in PFD’s case, the exhibits have been extended for several years. Jackson Medel, Curator of Collections & Exhibits for the Sharlot Hall Museum, noted that the partnership with PFD had been in place for several decades. Medel mentioned that the first medal won by cowboy Juan Leivas in 1888 is now on permanent display, as well as saddles, rifles, photos, and other memorabilia. All these carefully curated items add to the delight of rodeo fans from around the world as they visit Prescott annually to learn about and celebrate western heritage.



Dan Rogers, chairman of the PFD Archives and Hall of Fame Museum, stated that the PFD group “fully appreciates the extended stay of the rodeo exhibits” and thanked the Sharlot Hall Museum folks for their many kindnesses and service. The PFD organization also thanks and appreciates the long-time partnership as well as the careful curation of precious rodeo articles.



The Sharlot Hall Museum is located at 415 West Gurley Street in Prescott. For more information, call (928) 445-3122 or visit their website at sharlothallmuseum.org

09/20/2024

Don’t forget about the upcoming Turquoise Circuit ProRodeo Finals happening in Camp Verde in November! A fun rodeo and so close to home.

The Best in the Southwest 🤠 Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo will be here before you know it. November 1 & 2, Camp Verde, AZ. Save money, buy your tickets online 👉 https://www.turquoisecircuitfinalsrodeo.com

09/14/2024

So much happening today! Come hang out it’s free for the entire family, FREE! 👏🏼

09/09/2024

Our store is moving! They are having a huge sale to lighten the load before the move.
Take advantage of this opportunity and stay tuned for our new location!

08/28/2024

Our corn hole tournament this weekend has been postponed, keep an eye out for when we will reschedule!

08/26/2024

The 111th Yavapai County Fair runs September 5th through the 8th at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. The fair began in 1913 as the Northern Arizona State Fair and has continued as one of the longest running fairs in Arizona. The fair offers fun for the entire family with children’s activities, entertainment, music, rides, vendors, agricultural exhibits, and a variety of food and attractions.

Hours of operation:
Thursday, Sept. 5: 9:00 am -10:00 pm
Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6 & 7: 9:00 am -11:00 pm
Youth Livestock Auction will be held Saturday, Sept. 7th at 5:00 pm
Sunday, Sept. 8: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

The Prescott Rodeo Grounds are located at 840 Rodeo Drive in Prescott, AZ.
For more information call 928-899-6056 or www.yavapaifair.com

The fair building is located in our main parking lot next to our rodeo ticket office.
Enter through miller valley and rodeo drive

08/21/2024

Stay up to date with our queens and their adventures! Follow their page!

08/21/2024

Join us Saturday, Aug. 31st at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds for the World’s Oldest Rodeo® Co****le Tournament! Players of all skill levels are welcome to participate in our “Pro”, “Just for Fun”, and “Youth” divisions.

Registration is $100 per team; youth 17 and under are $50 per team. Teams consist of two people and advanced registration is required. To register, please visit worldsoldestrodeo.com

Check-in opens at 5:00 pm; games start at 6:00 pm.

Additional amenities include a beer garden, food truck, drawings, an auction, and more. Cash, prizes, and buckles will be awarded.

All benefits from the Co****le Tournament go toward the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund (JCCF). The Justin Boot Company generously underwrites all administrative costs associated with managing the fund. The JCCF dedicates 100% of all contributions received for disbursement to eligible applicants and has assisted more than 1,300 injured rodeo athletes and their families with more than $9.4 million in assistance since its inception. Learn more about our fund and our fundraising at www.justincowboycrisisfund.org

08/20/2024

Congratulations to John Snedden, Prescott Frontier Days® 2024 Volunteer of the Year! John’s good-natured approach to volunteering is appreciated by the many groups he has helped throughout his career and retirement.

John has been the driving force between Prescott Frontier Days and the Yavapai Amateur Radio Club (YARC), helping both groups serve the local communities. He has volunteered for the Prescott Frontier Days – World’s Oldest Rodeo and Rodeo Parade and worked every rodeo since 2019 including the pandemic year when they were limited to 25% attendance. John says he “loves the rodeo attitude” and enjoys interacting with the visitors, contestants, and other volunteers.

He has served several years as a PFD Rodeo Parade Street Marshal; he was in charge of street marshals this year and recruited dozens of volunteers, including YARC members. In this role, he directed Street Marshals to cover every intersection of the parade route with their radios to make sure it kept moving and to watch for anyone impeding the parade flow. He also helped with Lost and Found, First Aid, safety, and anything else needed to make the Rodeo Parade a success. After the Rodeo Parade, you’ll find John helping out as the PFD Parking Guru!

Now retired, John previously served as a State Parole Agent/Law Enforcement for 35 years in California. He was also a Fire Lookout and Tower trainer for the US Forestry Service in the San Bernardino National Forest.

John is a long-time member of the American Radio Relay League/ Special Service Club -- dedicated to public service and emergency preparedness. The goals are Public Service, Advocacy, Education, Technology, and Membership. Along with YARC, this group encourages its members to assist our community and prepare for emergencies by participating in public service events. YARC serves Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley/Paulden, and Dewey/Humboldt.

Thank you, John, for everything you do!