Jesstin McNett won first place for header and Robert Murphy first place for heeler with their 6.2 time/score at the Feb. 24, 2022, team roping slack performance at the Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo.

Richard H. Dyer

Also bratwursts/beer party, dance, parade

Other Lost Dutchman Days events include:

• Noon-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23 — Annual bratwurst and beer party at Apache Junction Elks Lodge No. 2349, 2455 N. Apache Trail. Entertainment includes: noon-2 p.m., Jeff Gravely; 2:30-4:30 p.m., Sylvia’s Arizona Polka Band; and 5-8 p.m., Exit 40 Band.

• 7-11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 — rodeo dance featuring the Way Out West Band at Apache Junction Elks Lodge No. 2349, 2455 N. Apache Trail. This is a non-smoking event. Must be 21 years of age to attend. Dance admission is $10.

• 9 a.m. start time Saturday, Feb. 26, for the Lost Dutchman Days Parade with the theme “Lost Dutchman” on Apache Trail between Idaho Road and Ironwood Drive. Parade entry deadline to the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce is Friday, Feb. 10; go to https://business.ajchamber.com.

For a full list of events, go to lostdutchmandays.org.

The Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo, a rain-or-shine event to be held Feb. 24-26 with all proceeds donated back to local children’s organizations, will draw thousands to the city of Apache Junction and its shops and stores.

The rodeo is presented by the Lost Dutchman Days Committee, a partnership of the Apache Junction Mounted Rangers and the Superstition Mountain Promotional Corp.

The full eight-event rodeo has professional cowboys and cowgirls competing for prize money beginning at 1:30 p.m. each day at the Apache Junction Rodeo Grounds, 1590 E. Lost Dutchman Blvd., at Tomahawk Road.

The classic events include bareback, calf roping, saddlebronc, steer wrestling, ladies breakaway roping, barrel racing, team roping and the crowd favorite of bull riding. Madison Macdonald, a trick rider, is to perform all three days, according to lostdutchmandays.org.

Adult tickets are $20 for the rodeo and $15 for ages 10 and under at the gate.

The rodeo features hundreds of contestants, all of whom put up an entry fee to win the coveted Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo prize money and belt buckles.

A carnival, the rodeo, vendor booths, free entertainment, food and more will be Feb. 24-26 at the main Event Center at the Apache Junction Rodeo Grounds, 1590 E. Lost Dutchman Blvd. Event Center admission is $2; and parking is free. .

Free entertainment at the Carnival Stage at the rodeo grounds will be offered Feb. 24-26:

• Friday, Feb. 24: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Everett Lafferty & the Highway Outlaws; and 3-6 p.m., Livin’ On Mars.
• Saturday, Feb. 25: 10 a.m.-noon, Rusty Wagon Band; 12:30-3:30 p.m., Canyon State Band; and 4-7 p.m., Billy G and The Kids.
• Sunday, Feb. 26: 10-11 a.m., Cowboy Church with Steve Edwards and the Broken Chair Band; 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Shiftwork; and 2-5 p.m., Outside The Line.

For a full list of events, go to lostdutchmandays.org.

Steve Edwards at Lost Dutchman Days in 2014. In 2023, Cowboy Church with Steve Edwards and the Broken Chair Band is 10-11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 26.