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To return Feb. 24-27, 2022

Lost Dutchman Days won’t be held in February 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns

Posted 12/16/20

Superstition Mountain Promotional Corp., the Apache Junction Mounted Rangers and the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce have canceled the 2021 Lost Dutchman Days event due to increasing health and …

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To return Feb. 24-27, 2022

Lost Dutchman Days won’t be held in February 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns

Posted

Superstition Mountain Promotional Corp., the Apache Junction Mounted Rangers and the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce have canceled the 2021 Lost Dutchman Days event due to increasing health and safety concerns related to COVID-19. This includes the rodeo, parade, carnival, rodeo dance and weekend entertainment.

“This was not a decision that was come to lightly and we were prepared to take all precautions necessary to move forward with the event,” Krysta Paffrath, Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo’s public relations and marketing director, said in a release.

“Unfortunately, with COVID-19 conditions dramatically increasing, we feel that it is in the best interest of our committee members, volunteers, attendees, contestants and our community that we halt plans for our 2021 event. At this time, even with a plan in place, the attendance and event support we would need to hold a successful event is just not there,” she said.

“For the safety of our contestants, volunteers, attendees and the general community we could not in good faith host our 2021 event. We are disappointed that this is what it has come to, but with the restrictions in place, it would have made it nearly impossible to achieve our mission, which is ‘Putting Smiles on Kids’ Faces,'” Rodeo Chairman Denny Walter said in the release.

For many in the community, attending the event is a family tradition and represents the area’s Western heritage and history.

“We will be coming back stronger than ever and you can expect our 2022 event to be the best it’s ever been. We will rodeo again, as we are dedicated to giving back to the organizations of our community,” Mr. Walter said in the release.

Several events will still be held, including the annual golf tournament Feb. 6, 2021, at the Apache Creek Golf Course; and the annual kick-off dinner as a small private event to welcome the new Honorary Dutchman, Heritage Award winner and rodeo royalty for the 2021 season.

“These honorees have worked very hard to get these awards and we want to make sure we celebrate them for their dedication to ‘Putting Smiles on Kids’ Faces’,” Ms. Paffrath said in the release.

“We know many folks will miss Lost Dutchman Days in 2021,” Apache Junction Mayor Jeff Serdy said in the release. “But we completely understand the need to keep our citizens and visitors safe in this volatile time. Like most residents, I am disappointed that this is happening. We look forward to the 2022 event which will be amazing as we celebrate the centennial of the city’s founding.”

Follow Lost Dutchman Days on Facebook and Instagram to catch event updates moving forward, Ms. Paffrath said.

“We are looking forward to hosting several smaller events geared towards our equine/rodeo community so keep an eye out for those,” she said.

Established in 1964, Lost Dutchman Days is a four-day event that includes a rodeo, parade, vendors, a carnival, entertainment, a brat party, a rodeo dance. The event is to return Feb. 24-27, 2022.