ACCOMODATIONS THE GREAT OUTDOORS
and spectacular cross country skiing. In the
From lodges to rustic cabins, indepen- “In places where Lucy could see the Rim
spring a meadow of wildflowers is the ideal
dent and national chain hotels to bed and she was astounded and delighted. She had
setting to discover a rare bird or two. The cool,
breakfasts, RV parks to campgrounds, lodg- carried away a picture of the colored walls, but
whispering pines of summer provide a much
ing options in Arizona Rim Country are both now there was a blaze of gold, purple, cerise,
needed reprieve from the sizzling desert heat
abundant and varied. In fact, there are over scarlet, all the hues of fire. Frost had touched
of the Phoenix area.
600 hotel rooms in the area. Ask our Visitor maples, aspens, oaks, with a magic wand. It
With three national forests combining
Center volunteers for a list, or visit pages 28 seemed another and more beautiful forest land
to form a woodland area the size of Mas-
and 29 for more information. that she was entering.”
sachusetts, the outdoors can truly be called
Arizona Rim Country offers a wide range Zane Grey’s descriptive words aptly cap-
great in Arizona Rim Country.
of dining establishments, all the way from the ture the robust colors of autumn in Arizona
Larger than many nations, this mag-
popular fast food chains, to local mom-and-pop Rim Country. But this area is spectacular in
nificent land is a haven for campers, hikers,
diners and cafes featuring down-home cooking, every season. In the winter a snow-blanketed
joggers, trekkers, fishermen, hunters, golfers,
to unique gourmet culinary experiences. Rim provides a sparkling holiday backdrop
tennis players, equestrians, water and cross-
THE WORLD’S OLDEST CONTINUOUS RODEO
Arizona Rim Country is where rodeo began. Known since its in- But there was a wholesome side to those early rodeos as well.
ception in 1884 as “August Doin’s”, the Annual World’s Oldest As local historian Jinx Pyle put it, they became a week-long
Continuous Rodeo in the United States is a world famous event celebration that “rivaled Christmas as a time when family and
that will celebrate its 124th consecutive year in 2008. Other friends gathered for reunions and visiting.” Area ranchers
annual rodeos held in Arizona Rim Country include the Payson would begin preparation weeks in advance so food would be
Spring Rodeo and the action-packed High School rodeo. ready to feed all the visitors and relatives.
The first rodeos in Arizona Rim Coun- Still held the third weekend
try were held to provide local ranchers in August, once named the
and cowhands a chance to get togeth- country’s Best Small Rodeo,
er and compare their roping skills and (according to the Profes-
cow ponies during the annual “down sional Rodeo Cowboy’s As-
time” before the big fall roundup. sociation which sanctions
There were only a couple of events the event) this event at-
in those early rodeos, but it was not tracts the best of the best
long before cowboys from all over the from all over the world to
state were showing up to compete in compete for substantial
new events like bronc busting, bull prize money. The week-long
riding, and steer roping.
photo courtesy of Dennis Fendler, Payson Pro Rodeo Committee
festivities include an old-
fashioned parade, many ro-
Early Payson rodeos weren’t held in fancy arenas. In fact, the deo dances, and other rodeo-related activities as well as
original venue was a meadow near the intersection of Main the four rodeo performances themselves. You won’t want
Street and Highway 87/the Beeline. Wagons, and later autos, to miss the fun, the good times, and the Annual World’s
created barriers to form the ‘arena’. An extra attraction: gam- Oldest Continuous Rodeo!
bling tables were set up in the open street, especially at the
intersection of McLane Road and Main Street.
www.rimcountrychamber.com
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