The Tucson Rodeo Committee has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Tucson Rodeo, it said in a release.
The committee said when planning the rodeo they had two goals:
1. Produce an event that is as safe as possible for everyone who enters the Tucson Rodeo Grounds and inspire attendees to feel safe
2. Produce an event that is financially viable in 2021 to ensure future financial stability.
A lot went into the decision to cancel the rodeo, including the health of spectators, volunteers, contestants, vendors, and staff. The current health and safety mandates in Tucson and Pima County regarding social distancing and large gatherings were deemed either too expensive, too complicated, or simply not feasible at the rodeo and would make it impossible to provide the full traditional experience.
“With the amount of planning that goes into this event, we feel there is too much uncertainty to take the chance of continuing forward at this time,” said Mark Baird, Chairman of the Board, Tucson Rodeo.
Baird added that the decision was in the best interest of the health and safety of everyone involved.
The annual financial impact of the rodeo is in excess of $15 million. In 2020 the Tucson Rodeo Committee provided $250,000 to charitable organizations through event proceeds.
The committee is already planning to be back in 2022 when the rodeo returns on February 19-27.