Roots N’ Boots rides again in Queen Creek

Queen Creek’s very own rodeo, Roots N’ Boots, starts Wednesday and its motto is “More Than a Rodeo” — the operative word being “more.”

There are more events, more family fun, more free events and more ways to watch this year, organizers said.

Roots N’ Boots runs from March 12-16 at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre, 20464 E. Riggs Road. For the first time, the rodeo will hold a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association matinée performance on Friday along with the traditional evening event. In all, there will be four PRCA performances from Friday through Sunday.

The rodeo has grown tremendously since it debuted in 2011 as a two-day event that attracted 8,000 people. Today, the rodeo is five days and 30,000 people attended event last year.

Originally organized by the town of Queen Creek, the nonprofit Friends of Horseshoe Park has produced the event since 2013.

Even as the event has swelled, the organizers are determined to keep its roots in helping the community.

On Wednesday, the first event of Roots N’ Boots is an all-women’s rodeo starting at 7 p.m. It will include barrel racers, team ropers and specialty-trick riders. The cost of entry is nonperishable food items for the Mary Gloria Foundation.

“Because we needed to expand our event, we asked should we take (the all-women’s rodeo) over and make that a full rodeo-ticketed event. And the board was, ’No, that is not what we’re about. We want to do this for the community,’” said Dru Alberti, marketing director for Roots N’ Boots. “People with large families have a low-cost way to bring their kids to the event and see a rodeo and the Mary Gloria Foundation goes home with truckloads of food items to fill their pantry.”

Roots N’ Boots also hosts the Special Kids Rodeo 9-11 a.m. Friday. The free event makes the rodeo experience accessible to children and adults with developmental disabilities. It is underwritten by the Chapman Automotive Groups and organized by the Mary Gloria Foundation.

“They arrange it, and they get the people there,” Alberti said. “Of course, we help and then our rodeo royalty and some of our clowns and those kinds of folks will go out to the event. We want to make sure the kids have a Western-themed opportunity.”

Roots N’ Boots also takes its mandate to be family friendly seriously by offering events to kids as young as age 3 all the way up to teenagers.

On Saturday, kids 3-11 can take part in Kids N’ Kritters where they get a chance to do some “mutton bustin’” by riding sheep. They’ll also learn how to rope, barrel race with a stick horse and grab prizes off goats.

Also on Saturday is Xtreme Teen for ages 12-19, which features running while holding live chickens in the Chicken Challenge and the Piggy Back Hustle where teams of two play horse and rider making their way through a traditional barrel pattern.

Throughout Roots N’ Boots there will be activities for attendees who aren’t rodeo aficionados. The entertainment hall will host musical and dance acts as well as a youth dance on Friday and an all-ages dance on Saturday.

Another big draw for Roots N’ Boots is its carnival with rides and a midway.

“I just talked to our carnival coordinator and there’ll be at least 16,” Alberti said. “It’s a full-size carnival. We’re really excited.”

Many of the rodeo’s events are free with the only cost parking. However, some, such as the PRCA events, require tickets. Box seats are sold out to some performances and general admission starts at $20. If the PRCA events sell out, attendees can watch for free via live stream onsite from Horseshoe Park.

Finally, it wouldn’t be a Queen Creek event without shopping. Vendors will be at the Cowboy Marketplace selling everything from riding equipment to clothes and jewelry.

“We don’t have as many horse people in our community, but we have so many people who love that lifestyle, that Western lifestyle and they want the shirt, and they want the hat, so that’s really what that Cowboy Marketplace is all about,” Alberti said.

For a complete schedule of events and to buy tickets, visit rootsnboots.org.

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