Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo rides into Apache Junction in February

By Richard Dyer
Mail | Twitter: @RHDyer

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.

“I don’t think they’re going to get a better view of a rodeo between our rodeo and surrounding mountains. It’s a great site. We put on a great rodeo. We always have lots of entries. The rodeo, along with the carnival and our vendors, there’s so much to do,” said Sandie Russell, a member of Superstition Mountain Promotional Corp.

Bareback bronc riding is her favorite rodeo competition.

“I just think it shows more talent,” she said.

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.

No tickets will be sold online this year, Denny Walter, chairman of the Lost Dutchman Days Committee, said.

“I can sell 9,000 tickets this year. No online sales — only the chamber, Paula’s (Crazy Horse Saddle Shop) and at the rodeo,” he said.

Adult tickets are $20 for the rodeo and $15 for ages 10 and under at the gate. Advance tickets are available at Crazy Horse Saddle Shop, 1484 W. Apache Trail; and the Apache Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, 567 W. Apache Trail, Walter said.

Lost Dutchman Days has something for everyone, said Tim Hughes, father to 2022 and 2023 Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo Queen Tyra Hughes.

“It’s a good family experience,” he said.

Bronc riding is his favorite rodeo event.

“Because it’s exciting. Bull riding is alright except for there’s hardly any full rides, so it goes too quick. Bronc riding, they usually ride them the full time,” said Hughes, an east Mesa resident.

Mesa resident Hendryx Eaton, 8, who on Jan. 7 competed and won a spot as a Lost Dutchman Days little miss for 2023, said her favorite rodeo sport is barrel racing.

“Barrel racing because it’s really cool and I like how it’s like fast but not really fast. And it’s fun,” she said.

She encouraged area residents to attend the rodeo.

“It think it’s a cool experience to come,” Eaton said.

Dalley Hunt, 8, of Young, Arizona, also likes the barrel racing competition. She competed unsuccessfully for LDD little miss.

Tucson resident Isabella Martin, 6, who competed unsuccessfully for LDD little miss, likes rodeo events with sheep.

“My favorite sport in rodeo is riding sheep. Because it’s fun and I wanted to be able to do it when I was a little kid,” she said.

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. Entries for members of the Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo Association open at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, and close at 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at gcpra.net. Local rodeo entries — residents who live within 50 miles of Apache Junction — can call or text 480-580-4037 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 15. Email info@lostdutchmandays.org or call the GCPRA office at 623-249-9506 for information.

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. Advance carnival wristbands are available at the Apache Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, 567 W. Apache Trail, for $25 and will cost $35 the weekend at the event.

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.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley
@RHDyer

rdyer@iniusa.org

Meet Richard
Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.  

Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions. 

Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.

Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.

Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.