Bill Foster, the Florence Junior Parada Rodeo organizer with the Historic Florence Foundation gave an update to the Florence Town Council on the November event.
Foster is the grandson of Charles Whitlow, who established the Charles Whitlow Rodeo Grounds and started the Florence Junior Parada Rodeo in 1932.
He told the council that the parade prior to the rodeo had many more entries, with John Whitlow, another grandson of Charles Whitlow, acting as grand marshal. Foster said the rodeo had 129 contestants from the Arizona Junior Rodeo Association.
On the first day of the rodeo, Foster estimated that there were between 1,200 and 1,500 spectators.
“I do have to say that six of the eight new bleachers I saw at one time were completely full. That was a good sight to see,” Foster said. “We’re already working on next year's events, so stay tuned.”
Janet Perez News Editor | Queen Creek &
San Tan Valley @AzNewsmedia
Meet Janet Janet Perez joined Independent Newsmedia as editor of the Queen Creek Independent and Florence Independent in 2020. She started her career in 1989 with the Gannett-owned El Paso Times. In 1992, she moved to Tempe and has worked in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. She left Arizona for three years to work at New Mexico State University and Baylor University before returning to work at Arizona State University. Missing the business, she went back to journalism in 2017.
Community: A long-time pet owner, she supports animal welfare causes.
Education: University of Texas at El Paso with a BA in journalism and a minor in political science.
Random Fact: She had a head full of random facts.
Hobbies: Reading, watching documentaries, cooking and playing with her dogs.
Keywords
Florence,
Florence Town Council,
Junior Parada Rodeo
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