Payson Roundup | Payson, AZ

An estimated 70 entries are expected to travel old Main from Green Valley Park to Sawmill Crossing in the 2009 Rodeo Parade. With the theme “August Doin’s Rodeo Roundup” the parade will help Payson and the Rim Country celebrate the 125th year of the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo.

The parade starts at 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 15. This year, the parade announcers will be Eddie Armer, at the judges’ stand by the historic Oxbow Saloon, assisted by Al McCoy, Phoenix Suns announcer; Fred Carpenter, at the Community Presbyterian Church; and DJ Craig, near the Main Street Fire Station, assisted by Jeff West, of KMLE Country Radio.

Grand marshal of the parade is world record holding trick rider and trick roper Nancy Sheppard, who is a member of the Cowgirl Hall of Fame, the Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Special celebrity ambassadors in the 2009 Rodeo Parade are Tim Kempton and Dan Majerle of the Phoenix Suns.

Among the entries are the royal courts from nine different rodeos; Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard; District One Gila County Supervisor Tommie Martin; Payson Mayor Kenny Evans; Ronald McDonald; and the Longhorn Marching Band.

All entries will receive certificates, and a first prize ribbon will be awarded for each of the 12 categories: best themed entry; civic/volunteer entry; motorized vehicle; family entry; male costumed rider; female costumed rider; group costumed rider; group costumed non-rider; adult individual costumed non-rider; child individual costumed non-rider; marching group; and horse-drawn.

Come out for this August Doin’s tradition and celebrate the 125th continuous year of Payson’s signature event.