World's Oldest Rodeo

Our History:

July 4, 1888, became the birthday of professional rodeo when a group of Prescott, Arizona, merchants and professional businessmen organized the first formalized "cowboy tournament" and offered cash prizes. A cowboy named Juan Leivas walked off with rodeo's first professional title and was documented in the subsequent edition of the Arizona Journal-Miner. These "Cowboy Contests" continued and were planned, promoted and carried out by a committee of local merchants. From then on, rodeo has grown into a multimillion dollar enterprise with more than 700 professional rodeos in 50 states.

In the 1970's, the Prescott Jaycees ran the celebration. In between, the Yavapai County Fair Association, a non-profit organization, was always there to keep the rodeo going. In 1978, the present organization, Prescott Frontier Days, Inc., a non-profit corporation, was organized and conducted its first 4th of July celebration in 1979. The Prescott Jaycees folded in 1979 due to internal problems, but Prescott Frontier Days, Inc. kept the rodeo going. In 1984, a number of the Rodeo Committee members signed notes on their own houses to guarantee the perpetuation of the World's Oldest Rodeo. It has continued ever since with the main event being the 'World's Oldest Rodeo'. This name was approved and registered by the U.S. Patent Office in 1985 based upon five separate criteria to which it qualified. This non-profit organization exists today as the backbone of Prescott's rodeo. This group is composed of hundreds of hard- working members and volunteers, dedicated to the preservation of Prescott Frontier Days and the 'World's Oldest Rodeo.' In 1988, the World's Oldest Rodeo celebrated its 100th Anniversary. In 2012, when the state of Arizona holds its 100th year Centennial, Prescott Frontier Days, Inc will hold the 125th Annual World's Oldest Rodeo. In 2004, Prescott Frontier Days, Inc hired Mr. JC Trujillo, 1981 Bareback World Champion, five-time Prescott Champion and 1994 Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee as its General Manager. 


In July of 2008, the Prescott Frontier Days, Inc Committee was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado as one of only sixteen rodeos ever to have this honor bestowed upon them. Prescott Frontier Days, Inc., is an organization of people of all ages from the Prescott area. They give their time and talents, as volunteers, to put on a number of events each year. There are currently over 200 active members and during the peak period, around the 4th of July, that number swells with an additional 700 volunteers, who typically stage a Golf Tournament, 10K Run, Arizona's second largest parade, the Prescott Frontier Days, Inc. Rodeo Parade, a Happy Hearts event for challenged children, an Old Timers Gathering, and of course, the 8 performances of the 'World's Oldest Rodeo' . The organization has a 9 member Board of Directors, including the President, and some 40+ Chairmen of as many committees.