Posted by Jim Ronstadt on Feb 10, 2022
One hundred-fifty thousand spectators line the streets in Southern Tucson in anticipation of the nation's longest non-motorized, horse-drawn parade.  One hundred and twenty-five entries consisting of over 2,500 people, 90 wagons and buggies, and about 650 horses will form this colorful spectacle of our Western heritage.  Included in the procession will be local dignitaries, Native American royalty and performers, historical wagons and colorful floats, marching bands and mariachis, costumed rodeo royalty from around the state and working cowboys. 
 
While working on the production of this magnificent parade, the Parade Committee's efforts also turn to their other love, the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum.  The museum complex includes the old hanger of Tucson's first airport.  The exterior of the museum is a prominent landmark on the Rodeo Grounds.  Once inside the museum, you take a giant step back to Tucson and the Old West as it once was.  It includes three buildings that proudly display over 120 pieces of "rolling stock": horse-drawn buggies, buckboards, stagecoaches and farm wagons. The Museum and the Parade are host to Tucson's first police wagon, a horse-drawn "fire truck," a horse drawn milk wagon, a horse-drawn school bus and much more.  
 
 

 
Stan Martin ~ Biography
After teaching elementary band and orchestra for 31 years, Stan has dedicated his life to promoting the history and diversity of Tucson. Since becoming a Parade Committee member, he has served on the Board of Directors twice, Publicity Chairman, Music Chairman and is currently the Chairman of the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum. As Chairman, his passion is to continue upgrading the museum to become a centerpiece for visitors around the world to experience Tucson as it was and still is.  Stan also volunteers at the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson, where Tucson got its start in 1775.  To enhance Museum visitor's knowledge of Tucson and Southern Arizona, he currently holds a certification as a Certified Tourism Ambassador through Visit Tucson.
 
 
 
 
Herb Wagner ~ Biography
A native of Tucson, Herb has been on the Rodeo Parade Committee for over 35 years and is the Historian for the committee.  He was Chair on many subcommittees such as Equipment Rentals, Museum, Operations, and Entries and Lineup.  He has served on the Board of Directors many times and is the current Board Secretary.  He was Parade Chairman in 1999 and 2000.  He is enthusiastic about continuing the 97-year tradition of the Rodeo Parade, a rolling display of our Southwestern heritage.  In his real life, Herb is Director of Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety at his alma mater, the University of Arizona.
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