Agave has been cultivated in the Tucson area for hundreds of years.
While tequila might be the most widely known product made from agave (a.k.a. the century plant or maguey), it’s certainly not the only one! Different species of the plant are distilled into different spirits, collectively called mezcal.
Native peoples would also use agave to make food, medicine, and even rope. They developed farming techniques to maximize the plant’s adaptability and drought-resistant qualities, so they could grow it where other crops wouldn’t thrive.
Mural of Mayahuel, the agave goddess, by Rock ‘‘CYFI’’ Martinez.
The annual Agave Heritage Festival in Tucson celebrates the plant’s natural and cultural significance. It includes special agave-centered menus at local restaurants, gardening demonstrations, concerts, lectures, mezcal tasting events, hikes to ancient agave roasting pit sites, and a re-creation of the traditional way agave hearts were cooked underground.
After the spring 2020 festival was canceled and last year’s was replaced by a monthly series of virtual talks and DIY tastings, the Agave Heritage Festival made a joyful return this past May!
It has come back as a more compact, focused four days of events – in contrast to the week (or more) it stretched out pre-pandemic.
Following right on its heels was the first annual Pueblos del Maíz Fiesta. The kickoff event for both festivals was a concert by multiple Grammy Award winning Mexican-American singer and activist Lila Downs.
One of this year’s events was the Agave Expo, which included panels, vendors, tables for organizations doing conservation work in Southern Arizona, and a plant sale. It was held on a beautiful morningin Mission Garden, a collection of demonstration gardens where a 17th-century Spanish mission once stood.
Feed the Bats
I arrived right before the first talk of the day, parking next to a woman who was alreadyloadingassorted agave purchases into her car.
“Pollination Nations” was a discussion about agave, bats, and ecology on both sides of the border.
Nectar-eating bats cross-pollinate agaves’ nighttime blooms, creating the genetic diversity essential for the plants’ long-term survival. However, agave planted for human consumption is prevented from blooming. Recent large-scale agricultural methods have lead to hungry bats and a monoculture crop that’s susceptible to disease.
The Bat Friendly project promotes more sustainable practices, encouraging growers to let 5% of the agaves they plant to live out their natural bloom cycle and allow bat pollination. Following their guidelines earns mezcal producers a special Bat Friendly™ label, as well as helping to ensure the continuation of their industry.
The panel discussing these topics was made up of experts from Bat Conservation International, Borderlands Restoration Network, and Sonora Silvestre, as well as mezcal-makers from Bacanora Batuq and Mezcal Zincantan. It was moderated by Jesús García, Research Associate at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Co-Chair of the non-profit Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace (FOTB).
(Incidentally, Moderator Jesús had returned from a trip to Mexico just in time for the Lila Downs kickoff concert and gave it rave reviews!)
On the Table
Afterwards, I wandered over to the ramada where raspados (snow cones) were being served in hollowed out half lemon peels, in exchange for donations to the garden.
They had three different flavors made from garden produce, and I was not prepared for that kind of decision making. I was especially torn between the refreshing sounding lime-mint flavor and the artisanal agave syrup, which seemed like the most fitting choice for the occasion. Then the volunteer scooping the crushed ice suggested I have both. Sold.
Sprinkled throughout the garden were informational tables and artist booths, including Found Design Sculptures by Leonard Ramirez and Cold Goose Pottery by Judy Ganz.
Found Design Sculptures by Leonard Ramirez
Tucson Audubon Society was there with resources. They were especially highlighting their Habitat at Home program, which shares ways to support birds and other pollinators from your house. One thing they suggest here in Southern Arizona is to leave your hummingbird feeder out on summer nights, because bats might stop by for a drink!
Chocolate Ritual
Before I left, I made a final stop at the Chocolate Ritual booth to pick up some of their mezcal-infused chocolate truffles. They create their chocolates to have a taste that pairs well with either mezcal or coffee. The “ritual” is as simple as sipping your preferred beverage in between bites of chocolate and savoring the combination. It’s a practice I can definitely get behind.
Another agave goddess mural by Rock ‘‘CYFI’’ Martinez!
Here’s my handpicked list of events coming up this summer in Arizona and around the world!
Happenings List
Around the World…
Beyond the Public Theater
You can see plays from The Public Theater in New York, even if you’re not in New York! The Public Theater’s digital programming – performances, playlists, series, music videos, etc. – is on their Public Play Now platform.
For even more ways to watch, check On Broadway and Beyond to see which productions are being broadcast, streaming, and/or coming to a stage near you. Audiences can catch Hamilton, for example, on its North American tour, and later on in England, Germany, or Australia. (If you’re not ready/able to go to a live show, it’s also on Disney+.)
European and American concert tour by a newly-formed ensemble of top Ukrainian musicians, in support of Ukraine and its artists.
As the conductor, Canadian-Ukrainian maestro Keri-Lynn Wilson, put it, “This tour is an expression of love for their homeland and to honor those who have died and have suffered so much.”
July 28: Opening concert at Teatr Wielki–Polish National Opera, Warsaw.
July 31: Proms Festival, London performance will be televised on BBC Four (U.K.) + the audio will be streamed live on BBC Sounds (international).
August 18-20: U.S. concerts in New York and D.C. will wrap up the tour.
Sale of artwork to raise funds for humanitarian aid at the Arizona-Sonora Border. THIRST 2022 will support Tucson based nonprofits No Más Muertes/No More Deaths and The Florence Immigrant + Refugee Rights Project. It also benefits the contributing artists, who each determine what percentage of their sales they’ll keep versus donate.
July 2-9 / online
Screenshot from Virtual Tour of the Pottery Project Exhibit at Arizona State Museum.
Exhibition of quilts throughout the botanical gardens and sale benefiting organizations working to eradicate breast and gynecologic cancers, as well as a portion that goes to TBG.
Now – August 21 / Tucson at Tucson Botanical Gardens (TBG) / Included with admission.
Weekly market providing fresh, seasonal produce that’s grown within a 50-mile radius of Camp Verde. There are also breads, meat, flowers, crafts and live music.
June 25: Kids Day! Oak Creek School students will be selling produce and flower bouquets from the school gardens to raise money toward the school’s Agriculture/STEM program.
BYO bags or purchase reusable ones to support the market’s efforts to go plastic free!
Now – October 1, Saturdays 8am-11am / Camp Verde (Northern Arizona) at Main and Hollamon / Free.
Local artisan market on Mt. Lemmon held Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer, starting Memorial Day weekend. Part of the proceeds benefit Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank (SAAFB).
Now – October / Summerhaven (Tucson area) next to the General Store
Dogs are allowed in TBG 7 days a week all summer long! Canine companions will find shaded pathways for walks, interesting things to sniff, and snacks at the café.
June 1 – September 30 / Tucson at Tucson Botanical Gardens / Dog admission $3 + human admission ($15)
Release show for Sharkk Heartt’s new single “How to Love” at Groundworks, a nonprofit organization promoting the youth-driven music and arts community in Tucson. Musicians Imogen Rose, Freddy Jay Walker, and Pineross will also be performing.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccine or negative test within 48 hours required.
Masks required indoors.
June 4, 7pm / Tucson at Groundworks (2919 E. Grant Rd.) / Tickets $10. / All ages show.
Hands-on collaborative workshop series that will teach mesquite management and artisan skills that can enhance Southern Arizona habitats. Workshops will be conducted outdoors and will provide practical knowledge on fine woodworking, mesquite as a local food source, and how to manage mesquite on your property.
Register in advance by emailing the Borderlands Restoration Network contact person for your class (listed on the events page).
Classes are limited to 20 participants.
June 10, 11, 24, 25: Single-day summer classes in Patagonia and Nogales, Arizona.
October 14 – 16: Beekeeping and Honey Production, Patagonia.
October 22: Mesquite Pod Milling + Food Safe Processing of Mesquite Flour, Patagonia.
Patagonia + Nogales (Southeastern Arizona) / June 11 – October 22 / Free. / Ages 18+
Eight-day festival of lavender grown in northeastern Arizona’s White Mountains. See the fields in bloom, learn about growing and cooking with lavender, and visit the lavender shop.
Red Rock Ranch is also a vineyard, winery, and producer. The wine tasting room will be open during the festival.
VIP Festival Package ($20) includes a wine tasting, cheese plate, and 10% off wine purchases.
Regular hours for the farm: Saturdays, 1-6pm from July 2 through November.
June 16-19 + 23-26, 9am-3pm / Concho (Northern Arizona) at Red Rock Ranch and Farms / Free.
Family-friendly event featuring live entertainment from local musical performers, educational workshops, a youth essay contest, children’s activities, vendors, and games. Authentic soul food and beverages available to purchase.
Free parking at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church (15th Street + Jefferson)
Light rail stop: 12th St./Washington or 12th St./Jefferson
Around the first week of July, Indie Week encourages Arizonans to “go local” by supporting as many locally owned businesses as possible. This year, complete 5 Calls-to-Action on your Indie Week bingo card for a chance to win gift cards, tickets to sporting events, and other prizes!
Fine arts and crafts festival that takes place over the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends in a grassy park in Downtown Flagstaff. A juried selection of 70 artists from across the Southwest will show their handmade work while live music plays throughout the event. There will also be various types of food available and the Shady Beer Garden, featuring beer local and regional breweries.
July 2-4 + September 3-5 / Flagstaff at Wheeler Park / Free.
Shop the nursery’s full selection of native plants and seeds with music and retail booths from local farmers and artisans including Patagonia Flower Farm, Patagonia Plants, and Shooting Star Pottery.
July 16-17 / Patagonia (Southeastern Arizona) at Borderlands Nursery + Seed
4-day festival for recreational birders, featuring a Nature Expo / vendor fair, field trips, workshops, photography events, social hours, and evening programs. It’s organized by Tucson Audubon Society, a nonprofit for engaging people in the conservation of birds and their habitats.
Nature Expo is free to attend.
Registration fee required for festival participants who are attending fee-based activities, like field trips, workshops, and evening programs.
Scholarships available.
August 10-14 / Tucson at DoubleTree Hotel – Reid Park / $30 registration + activity fees
“Ukrainians have been decorating eggs, creating these miniature jewels, for countless generations. There is a ritualistic element involved, magical thinking, a calling out to the gods and goddesses for health, fertility, love, and wealth. There is a yearning for eternity, for the sun and stars, for whatever gods that may be.”
–Luba Petrusha of pysanky.info
For agrarian societies dependent on seasonal crops, the end of winter brings the beginning of the growing season and the food to survive. So the return of spring represents life in a very real way.
By Bo&Ko. CCL.
With this in mind, it makes sense that many cultures of the distant past worshiped the sun, including ancient Slavic peoples. To them, eggs were associated with springtime, the sun god, and the life-giving cycle of the seasons.
A variety of styluses for creating pysanky, from traditional to modern. By Luba Petrusha. CCL.
Writing Pysanky
Pysanky are created using a wax resist process (similar to batik). Traditionally, you would have prepared dyes yourself, using natural materials like onion skins or red cabbage for color.
Then you would make the first part of your design on the egg’s shell by using a specialized stylus (a kistka) to apply melted beeswax, like putting a pen to paper. In fact, pysanka comes from the Ukrainian word for “write.”
Pysanka Brunch by Olga Strachna via Flickr (@olga_strachna). CCL.
After laying out the first part of your pattern in wax, you’d submerge the egg into your lightest shade of dye (let’s say yellow). While most of the egg then comes out yellow, your wax lines preserve the original color below (presumably, eggshell white).
Next, you’d put wax over the parts of your design that should remain yellow and sink the egg into the next darker shade of dye (maybe green).
You repeat the process of applying the wax and then submerging the egg in the next dye color, from lightest to darkest, for as many colors as you want in your design (or have dyes for).
Finally, you soften the wax and wipe it from the egg to reveal the full design.
Diagram showing the step-by-step process of creating a single “pysanka”. Originally in V. Shukhevych’s 1902 “Hutsul’shchyna”, via UMA Cleveland.
Since it may be a bit hard to visualize, I highly recommend the 1975 short film Pysanka: The Ukrainian Easter Egg. You can see the process demonstrated from start to finish, while the narrator explains the traditions and beliefs that go along with the ancient art form.
By Luba Petrusha. CCL.
Easter
So where does Easter come in?
Pysanky existed centuries before the life of Christ. However, as the Christian Church spread, it had a tendency to adopt/appropriate parts of the local culture wherever it went. Pagan symbols were reinterpreted with Christian meanings. Even the word “Easter” itself likely comes from the name of Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of fertility and springtime.
The tradition of blessing Easter baskets full of food continues to this day in Ukrainian Orthodox churches. Photo by Suburban Grandma.
Decorating eggs became less about the return of the sun god and more about the resurrection of Christ. Over time, the tradition lost many of its ritual components, becoming increasingly associated with the Christian faith and the Easter holiday specifically.
Simplified versions of the practice became Easter traditions in other parts of the world, as well.
PAAS Easter egg dye company headquarters in Newark, circa 1931. Via NJ.com
Artificial Colors
By the 1800s, chemists had figured out how to make synthetic dyes. Among the products manufactured in the early days of this revolutionary technology were Easter egg coloring kits. So instead of using your own vegetable scraps or whatever, you could go purchase dyes at your local drugstore.
One of these drugstores was owned by William M. Townley in Newark, New Jersey. He stocked Easter egg dye kits imported from Germany (the top supplier of all things synthetic dye until WWI), but he wasn’t really happy with them.
So he came up with his own. While he didn’t invent Easter eggs, he did start selling dye powders in convenient pre-wrapped packets.
The product was such a hit that the Townley family transitioned from pharmacists to factory owners. The Paas Dye Company was created in 1881 and would soon be operating year round just to meet the Easter season demand.
By Orest Ukrainsky (@orest_u) via Flickr. CCL.
Hidden Easter Eggs
While springtime egg decorating became more common around the world, the tradition was officially prohibited in its country of origin when the Soviets took over in the 1930s. Perhaps the ban was because pysanky were associated with Christianity or perhaps because the art form is distinctly Ukrainian.
Still, the tradition survived, like countless other folk customs that empires have attempted to suppress. Some people made pysanky in secret. Others left Ukraine. These expats may have felt an even heavier responsibility to pass their culture on to the next generation.
Giant Pysanka in Vegreville, Alberta by eileenmak via Flickr. CCL.
When Ukraine regained its independence in 1991, the art form experienced a resurgence. Today, you can see pysanky in museums or take a class on making your own. As fragile as pysanky may look, they are surprisingly durable.
– More Pysanka Info –
“Pysanka” is the singular form of the word, “pysanky” is plural. I’ve attempted to use Ukrainian terms correctly, but I do not speak the language, so don’t take my word for it!
I’ll mention again the film Pysanka: The Ukrainian Easter Egg. It’s only about 15 minutes long. If you’re at all interested in pysanky, watch it! And don’t let the slightly 1970s trippy intro dissuade you.
Pysanky.info – history, patterns, photos, all things pysanky
“Eggs Hatch Rebirth of Ukraine Culture” – L.A. Times article published shortly after Ukrainian independence (March 1992) about Ukrainian-Americans being “keepers of the flame” of traditions like pysanka.
Live performances by Miss Olivia, Greg Morton, Salvador Duran, and Mark Insley.
All proceeds go to World Central Kitchen and the refugee resettlement efforts of Lutheran Social Services Southwest.
Donations online, at the door, and (if you’re unable to attend) checks payable to Hotel Congress LLC (memo: “May The Fourth Be with Ukraine”) and mailed to 311 E Congress St., Tucson, AZ 85701.
St. Mary’s Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Ukraine in Phoenix is raising funds for Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine.
Ongoing
So far they’ve donated $32,000 to support emergency relief efforts, like shipping medical supplies!
You can give via Paypal or credit card, check payable to St. Mary’s Protectress (memo: “Help Ukraine”), in person at the Ukrainian Cultural Center (730 W. Elm St, Phoenix, AZ 85013), or wire transfer (routing #021000021, account #767167682).
We’ve had an unusually chilly week in Tucson. As soon as it warms up a bit more, I’ll be on the lookout for wildflowers! I’m hoping we’ve had enough winter rain for some bursts of spring color.
Regardless, I’ll keep doing my best to look for beauty, get outside, and cherish the good days (or moments) as much as I can.
Happenings List
To that end, here’s my handpicked list of standout seasonal Happenings. Not only does it include Arizona adventures, but also online goings-on you can join in from just about anywhere! There’s an upcoming worldwide wildlife photo hunt. Tucson has a festival-heavy spring schedule with celebrations of song, books, film, folk music, agave, and – new this year – the cultural and culinary traditions of corn. (Yep, the Pueblos del Maíz is actually a four-city affair presented by UNESCO!)
So read on…find something that brings you joy, and then jump in!
Fifth-generation Diné (Navajo) Master Weavers Barbara Teller Ornelas and Lynda Teller Pete present on storytelling traditions and discuss co-authoring the book Spider Woman’s Children.
March 19, 11am / online / free (advance registration recommended)
Live broadcasts from all three stages of a festival celebrating acoustic Americana/Folk Music traditions and variations. Performances will feature national headliners, local acts, songwriting competition winners, a family show, and young artist showcases!
April 2-3 / online / free (donations accepted)
More about seeing the Tucson Folk Festival in person is below, under “Arizona.”
International citizen science event, motivating people to find and document wildlife in their cities.
April 29 – May 9 / Around the world (44 countries and counting!) / free
April 29 – May 2: Look for wild plants and animals and take photos of them.
May 3-8: Identify the species you observed and upload photos to the iNaturalist app.
May 9: Challenge results announced.
There may be local events planned in your city. (In Tucson, for example, you can take part in a “bioblitz” at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum or Tohono Chul.)
Screenshot from Virtual Tour of the Pottery Project Exhibit at Arizona State Museum.
Full Moon Bike Tour through Everglades National Park (Florida) [the idea of hanging out in the Everglades at night sounds both beautiful and terrifying to me]
It’s also National Junior Ranger Day, so many Parks will have activity books and things specifically for kids to do.
If you can’t make it to a National Park that day, there are also upcoming free admission days on August 4, September 24, and November 11. Or try a virtual visit!
A series of concerts, a full opera, and a musical play centered on the nuances of the female voice in both jazz and classical music.
Now – March 19, May 13 / Tucson area / Several of the events are free. Ticket prices for paid events range from $17-83.
February 26 – March 19: Nina Simone: Four Women at Temple of Music and Art. A play infused with music that imagines singer and activist Nina Simone in conversation with three Black women from different backgrounds. Tickets $25-73.
May 13: Dianne Reeves (rescheduled concert). Tickets $65 – $80.
“Serenity” by Priscilla Tacheney via her Squash Blossom Fotos site.
Exhibition of the Flower Mound series that Tucson-based artist Lex Gjurasic started making at the onset of the pandemic. Her art helps her combat anxiety, and she hopes it brings others joy, as well.
Now – April 9 / Chandler (Phoenix area) at Chandler Center for the Arts / free
Now – July / Tucson at Arizona State Museum (University of Arizona) + online
Wrapped in Color: Legacies of the Mexican Sarape explores how the iconic sarape design expresses Indigenous, Spanish, and Mexican traditions and innovative textile techniques, like producing dyes by cultivating wild plants and insects! The exhibit is co-curated by Zapotec textile artist Porfirio Gutiérrez. Included with museum admission ($8/adult).
Pahko’ora/Pahko’ola: Mayo and Yaqui Masks. A collection of wooden masks worn by Pascola dancers from the Mayo and Yaqui communities of southern Arizona / northern Mexico. The exhibit examines their deep ritual significance and related traditions. Included with museum admission ($8/adult). The online introduction to the Collection is free.
Hoya plant swap open to both new and longtime collectors, who want to talk about plants and continue building this Arizona plant community! RSVP required due to limited space. There will also be vendors with plants, crafts, books, dessert, and coffee for sale.
March 12 / Phoenix at Palabras Bilingual Bookstore / free
Wine tasting evening to raise funds for the Desert Museum and celebrate World Wildlife Day. Enjoy local food and wine, stargazing, live music from local folk rock band Little Cloud, and time with desert animals.
March 19 / Tucson at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum / Advance Tickets: General Admission $45, Designated Driver $20 / Ages 21+
Food will be available for purchase from Ironwood Terraces and Phoebe’s Coffee Bar, as well as from local food trucks.
General Admission includes 10 wine tastings and admission to Stingray Touch.
Designated Driver Admission includes unlimited fountain drinks, tea, or coffee, Raptor Free Flight cup, and admission to Stingray Touch.
Optional add-on experiences: night hikes and 30-45 minute Sonoran Desert Animal Spotlights for $7 each.
Self-guided walking tour of haiku poetry printed on acrylic signage and placed in planters along Congress Street and Stone Avenue. The 20 poems are winners of an annual literary competition, submitted by the public and chosen by Tucson’s poet Laureate, TC Tolbert.
March 20 – June 1 / Tucson in Downtown Tucson planters / free
Accessible and family-friendly festival celebrating acoustic Americana/folk music traditions and variations, like American bluegrass, blues, country, jazz, and Latin music styles. Multiple stages will feature live performances from national headliners, local acts, songwriting competition winners, a family show, and young artist showcases!
10 tap dancers and an acoustic bass player from NYC-based Dorrance Dance explore what is most beautiful and exceptional about tap dancing – movement as music. The company aims to expand tap dance’s audience with both an acknowledgment towards the past and a look into the future.
April 2 / Tucson at Centennial Hall / Tickets $35-65.
Deliciousness from Phoenix-based food truck Aioli Burger awhile back. No idea if they’ll be at the Festival. But those fries look good, right?
Film festival with a focus on independent cinema and diverse cultures. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, AZIFF has exhibited over 3,000 films from 100 countries to over 168,000 Southern Arizona patrons.
April 20–30 / Tucson at The Screening Room, MSA Annex, Hotel Congress, and several other venues throughout Tucson. / Past ticket prices: Single admission/$8, all-access pass/$100
April 20: World Premiere of Canyon Del Muerto at Fox Theatre. The festival begins with this portrayal of North America’s first female archaeologist, Ann Axtell Morris, who worked side by side with the Navajo in the 1920s in Canyon De Chelly. Ticket info TBA.
April 23: INDIEYOUTH Shorts at The Screening Room. Films under 15 minutes by young filmmakers, ages 12 – 18. Free.
Mayahuel, mural of the agave goddess, by Rock ‘‘CYFI’’ Martinez.
Celebration of the agave plant, the culture surrounding it, and the spirits made from it – not just tequila but also other regional varieties like mezcal, sotol, bacanora, and lechuguilla. Throughout the festival, there will be a focus on sustainability and small agave spirits labels (Lamata, Rancho Tepúa, Rezpiral, Sotoleros, etc.). The newly-renovated Century Room Borderlands Jazz Club and Mezcal Lounge at Hotel Congress will also host several jazz concerts throughout the long weekend.
April 28 – May 1 / Tucson
April 28: Lila Downs at Centennial Hall. Tickets $25-60.
April 29: Larry Redhouse Trio at the Century Room (Hotel Congress). Tickets $15 + one item minimum.
April 29: Ignite Agave – Women of Mezcal at Leo Rich Theatre. 10-minute presentations from six women involved in agave growing or spirits production, plus a panel Q+A and live mariachi band.
April 30: Agave Fiesta on the Hotel Congress Plaza. Over 40 agave spirits, an agave cocktail showdown, live music, presentations from industry experts, agave art and other goods. $50 entry includes 4 agave spirit tastings, 4 cocktail tastings, and paired food from the Cup Café Culinary team.
Produced by UNESCO Tucson City of Gastronomy, this is the first weekend of a month-long international culinary celebration of maíz (corn). The inaugural festival will include regional food vendors, art, chef demonstrations, spirits, panels and lectures, and live music and entertainment.
Local artisan market on Mt. Lemmon held Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer, starting Memorial Day weekend. Part of the proceeds benefit Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank (SAAFB).
May 28 – October / Summerhaven (Tucson area) next to the General Store
When the Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee realized they’d have to cancel the 2021 parade, they came up with a creative alternative to the usual crowded streets and packed grandstands – they’d turn the parade inside out!
Wagons and buggies would be pulled out of the Rodeo Parade Musuem and set up along a winding route through the rodeo grounds in South Tucson. For one day, you could drive through it, passing by the floats and entertainment that would normally be passing you by.
In lieu of charging admission, they’d accept donations for Casa de los Niños, a local organization that promotes children’s wellbeing by supporting families. You could drop off school supplies for them in a rodeo bucking chute set up in the Museum parking lot.
We tied a bandanna on Quijote and headed to the rodeo grounds to check it out.
When we arrived, cars were backed up from the entrance, up one side of the street, curled around the dead end, and down the other side. We inched forward, idling in front of a tortilla factory.
Once we were through the front gate, we caught a glimpse of 5 beautiful black draft horses taking a snack break. Apparently, these are Shire horses, a breed that’s supposed to be from Britain, but I suspect may have actually originated in Middle Earth.
Some of the horse-drawn wagons along our route were decorated by local businesses who were sponsoring the event.
Others had been used by early Tucson firefighters and police, and still others were used for ranching, mining, or making deliveries. We even passed a replica of a steam calliope and an old circus wagon with rodeo scenes painted on the side.
We continued on to see the Modelos y Charros de Arizona, a non-profit group dedicated to preserving their Mexican heritage.
The Modelos (models) were wearing super-sized versions of their trademark Mexican folklorico dresses. Since this would probably be the one year they wouldn’t need to be able to actually walk in their embellished hoop skirts, they could really go next level.
They were interspersed with Charros (distinctively-dressed riders of Mexican rodeo – or charrería) demonstrating trick roping.
Also showing off their roping skills were members of the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus, who swung lassos while recordings played from past choir performances.
High school folklorico dancers performed in front of closed ticket windows.
We drove through a section of wagons from movies and television.
A lot of classic westerns were filmed at Old Tucson Studios and on location in Southern Arizona. The Rodeo Parade Museum often provided antique vehicles for their shoots, like fringe-topped surreys (carriages) for the movie Oklahoma. Or the simple buckboard wagon that retired from working on a farm and went on to appear in the TV series High Chaparral and the film McLintock!
Farther down, the band Gertie and the T.O.Boyz played their signature Waila (old time dance music) tunes.
The final section was devoted to wagons made by F. Ronstadt Wagon Works, founded by Linda Ronstadt’s grandfather.
After that, we exited the west gate and went to get lunch. The band kept playing, the draft horses’ tails flicked away flies. But, like those antique wagons, we were history.
For more on charreada, “Mexico’s original rodeo,” check out this Q+A with painter Edgar Sotelo. (He also explains the difference between a charro and a vaquero.)
Wild Ride: The History and Lore of Rodeo by Joel H. Bernstein: Book they gave away copies of at the drive-through event and a great resource about rodeo history!
Visit the Rodeo Parade Musuem at 4823 S. 6th Avenue, Tucson. It’s open Thursdays through Saturdays. Admission is $10/adults, $2/children.
Alejandro’s Tortilla Factory storefront is located at 5330 S. 12th Avenue, Tucson. You can buy freshly made tortillas and chips and/or order breakfast or lunch from La Cocina Lorena (menu).
You’ll be in the heart of the Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food (north of the border, of course). Nearby 12th Avenue is full of places to get Sonoran hot dogs, tacos, birria, and all kinds of deliciousness!
We picked up food at BK Carne Asada + Hot Dogs after the Rodeo Parade Drive-through. Both the carne asada and the Sonoran dog were excellent!
South Tucson is also known for its abundant murals and mosaics, so keep your eyes open!
The San Xavier Co-op Farm is a cooperative of Tohono O’odham landowners growing traditional crops. They sell honey, dried beans, mesquite flour, and other products in their farm store at 8100 Oidak Wog, Tucson. It’s closed Sundays and Mondays.
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