Tucson Rodeo Parade and Tucson Wagon & History Museum — Attraction in Tucson

Growing up in midwest farmland territory in the late 80s and early 90s, I was subjected to and inundated with country music. We’re talking Alan Jackson, George Straight, Tim Mcgraw, Dwight Yoakam, Reba McEntire and Brooks and Dunn. I’m still hoping Brooks and Dunn start a lawyer firm practicing family law because I really want to hear them sing songs about divorce and domestic disputes. Brooks and Dunn, attorneys at yeehaw. Don’t sit there and tell me you don’t want that. Anyway, the one that stood out the most, the one who had that extra tight pair of wranglers, the blackest of hats and the most annoying of shirts was Garth Brooks: the best-selling solo artist in world history. I grew up hearing the likes of “Friends in Low Places” “The Thunder Rolls” “Two Pina Coladas” and “Papa Loved Mama” but the one that stuck with me beyond puberty and adult cynicism is the one about the bulls and the blood, the dust and the mud, the roar of a sunday crowd. The white in the knuckles, the gold in the buckle, boots and chaps, cowboy hats, spurs and latigo. Ropes and the reins and the joy and the pain. And do you know what they call that my dude? They call the thing rodeo. And yippikiyay I find myself here in Tucson for the 100th anniversary of the Tucson Rodeo Parade. Now since i’m almost 40 with no health insurance, you can bet your last sasparilla that i’m not about to get into cowboyin’ or rodeo’in. I got the spine for it, but the spine don’t got me if you’re pickin up the tumbleweed i’m layin down for ya.

So I figured, i’ll just do what 90% of people do that have a love for something but don’t want to commit to the lifestyle because of money, time and ADHD constraints: cosplay! I don’t have to be IN the rodeo, but I can PRETEND to be a cool cowboy in a parade. Heck, I already bought a big shiny beltbuckle from some divorced guy in Texas on Ebay, I have tight wranglers, a black cowboy hat and some boots I bought in Nogi. I just need to learn how to shutup and chew on some Copenhagen Southern Blend while leaning against walls and looking mysterious. I’m set to go. And word on the street is that this Tucson Rodeo Parade is the largest non-motorized parade in the United States. So evidently I needed me a wagon and a horse. I fired up the old computerized telescreen and saw that the Tucson Wagon & History Museum was right down the road and surely they would lead me in the right direction. I had to get in the mindset to be a curious and mysterious rebel wandering cowboy loner walking through those doors so I rewatched Clint Eastwood Dollars Trilogy to get in the right mood.

I pulled up to the building in front of the Tucson Rodeo Grounds. I immediately spit tobacco onto the dirt ground as I parked and as I got out some souped up Honda Civics drove by blasting loud rap music and I squinted and growled at them as they scurried away.

I was about to take 1 star away because there wasn't an old man with playing a harmonica in a rocking chair outside but then I walked past the gates into a big ol honkin warehouse with a gentleman's plethora of chuck wagons, carriages and frontier artifacts galore. It just about yee'd the last of my haws. Then an older cowboy gentleman with a white handlebar mustache approached me and said “howdy cowboy, lookin for a tour today”. I tipped my hat and said “howdy, Clyde”. “My name’s Charlie, partner”. I didn’t care. I said “Listen Clyde, i’m actually here to procure myself a horse and a buggy for this here parade coming up in a fortnight.” “Sorry, young man, we sold out of rentable wagons about a week ago.” I immediately broke my cowboy cool and cried like a teenage girl “Aww, cmon! Are you serious!? NUH UH!” Clyde looked a little shocked but maintained his cowboy cool: “well, you can ask around and obtain one from private sellers, i’m sure. Just make sure it falls in line with the TRP regulations and—-” “what about horses, ya’ll got some wild broncos hangin around?” “Well not exactly, you would have to contact those who specialize in the equine lifestyle” “Equine?” “EeeeQUINE!”...

I recommend this museum for anyone interested in learning a little history. Mr. Davenport and the young lady working were amazing hosts they shared some great stories and local history I really learned allot. I’m from the south and take pride in southern hospitality but I’m telling you these folks here in Tucson step up to a whole new level. I have never used Uber until today. Using the app you have to use your cellphone as most people will probably know. I did not even think about it so I ran my phone battery down taking videos and photos of the museum. Mr. Davenport gave me a ride back to my hotel and would not accept any payment for doing so. He even pointed out mountain ranges and the history of this beautiful valley. I shared a couple of photos but this museum...

Horse-power museum! From the name you might think this is all about the rodeo - but it’s not. It’s a collection of horse-drawn vehicles, the largest I’ve seen. Many of them are in working order (you know, for the parade). They have the 1800s equivalents of cargo trucks, buses, expedition vehicles, sports cars, and limousines. It’s a real window into ordinary life in a bygone age.

The highlight for me was the grand state carriage of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico, which was made in Paris and made its way to Tucson under very mysterious circumstances, decades after he...