Dating to 1941, this wonderful, silent home movie shows the Tucson Rodeo Parade and Tucson Rodeo. This event always takes place in February, and is known as the La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. The parade is famous for being the largest non-mechanized parade in the USA, meaning that it is entirely featuring animals and horse-drawn equipment. At the start :08, an announcer holds up a megaphone advertising American-made toys sold at Steinfeld’s Department Store, a local business. At :20 the facade of Steinfeld’s is visible along Congress Street. At 1:30 the Budweiser Clydesdales pull the famous red beer wagon down the street. At 1:41, a Mexican-American maiden, possibly the Rodeo Queen, is visible in a wagon with a U.S. flag draped nearby. At 2:21, children from the Sunshine School are visible on a float. At 3:06 a cross-dressing rodeo clown saunters down the street. At 3:36 the parade comes to an abrupt end, and well-dressed residents are seen walking off. At 3:49 the Budweiser wagon arrives at the Rodeo Grounds and give a thrilling demonstration at high speed. At 4:48 cowboys move past, carrying a sign advertising the rodeo dance. Scenes at the rodeo follow, including roping and riding. At 7:37, a title card announces “Picnic at Ranch and Swimming Pool.” It’s not clear where this ranch was located, but there were several guest ranches in Tucson in this era. At 8:43 a ranch hand or cowboy gives a roping and riding demonstration. At 11:54, a visit to the Circle Z Ranch in Patagonia, where a famous horse named El Sultan resides. At 12:21, cowboys are seen moving a herd of horses. At 13:00 a horse is seen in a paddock with an adobe wall. At 13:52, “Spider and the Top Hand”, presumably the ranch foreman and his horse. At 15:06 cowboys pose for the camera. Soon, guests saddle up for a ride and are seen riding off at 17:00.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
