“To the Rodeo, Pardner!” Exhibit Opens June 18

Yee-haw! This year, the Prescott area will welcome rodeo fans from around the world to the annual
celebration of its western heritage, Prescott Frontier Days®. The World’s Oldest Rodeo® sits as the jewel in this crown, and continues to amaze young and old with its displays of ranch-style thrill and skill.

2022 also marks the 50th anniversary of the release of Prescott-set film Junior Bonner, and on June 18, the Sharlot Hall Museum will open a new exhibit to showcase the film’s behind-the-scenes story and the rodeo’s long history. Titled “To the Rodeo, Pardner!”, the exhibit will explore the origin of rodeos from their Spanish influence to today’s favorite events such as saddle bronc riding. The role of the rodeo cowboy intertwines with these stories.

In honor of its 50th anniversary, the “Junior Bonner” film will also be featured in the exhibit. Filmed in Prescott in 1971, the movie follows the story of a rodeo cowboy (Steve McQueen) who returns to his hometown of Prescott for the rodeo, with the self-set task of overcoming an ornery bull named Sunshine.

Opening to the public Saturday, June 18, the exhibit will invite visitors to engage with the history and tradition of Prescott’s July 4th celebration, and appreciate the World’s Oldest Rodeo® as more than an annual event, but as a livelihood for the rodeo cowboys, community of Prescott, and others. It’s “To The Rodeo, Pardner!”