NW Valley Times

The 99th annual Tucson Rodeo Parade, set to take place on Thursday, February 22, at 9 a.m., will have a new route this year. The parade will now begin at South 12th Avenue and Drexel Road, proceed east on Drexel to South Nogales Highway, and then turn north, ending at Irvington Road.

The decision to change the route was made by the organizers of the parade due to Union Pacific Railroad's recent announcement that they will no longer hold trains for the three hours necessary on the section of track that the parade has historically crossed on its previous route.

"The route change was necessitated by Union Pacific Railroad's decision to no longer hold trains for the three hours necessary on the section of track that the parade historically has crossed on its previous route," said an official statement from the organizers.

Despite the change in route, the 2024 Tucson Rodeo Parade will still stay close to the Rodeo Grounds, maintaining its traditional ties to the event. This year's parade, just like in the past, will continue the tradition of having no motorized entries, with the entire parade being propelled by real horsepower.

"The parade will keep the parade near the Rodeo Grounds, but it won’t cross the railroad tracks," the statement added.

This is not the first time the Tucson Rodeo Parade has seen a route change in its history. However, the organizers are confident that the new route will provide a seamless experience for both participants and spectators.

For more information about the new route and to view a map, interested individuals can visit the City of Tucson's website.

As the 99th annual Tucson Rodeo Parade approaches, the excitement is building up, and the organizers are looking forward to another successful event. The change in route may bring a different perspective to the parade, but it will undoubtedly continue to showcase the rich tradition and cultural heritage of Tucson.

So mark your calendars and get ready to witness the 99th annual Tucson Rodeo Parade on its new route. It's an event you won't want to miss!