Welcome to issue #31 of Trail Mix, a weekly newsletter about the people, places, history, and happenings in Southeastern Arizona.
There is some serious fun (and a lot of dust) heading our way this weekend, so we’re sending this out a day earlier than our regular Thursday schedule. That’s because, if you are a new neighbor, you might have noticed the school calendar looks a little different this week. Vail School District is officially closed this Thursday and Friday for Rodeo Break. It’s a local rite of passage that feels like a secret four-day weekend just for us! Whether you’re dusting off your boots for the parade or planning a quiet staycation away from the crowds, I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know.
Also: We are so close to hitting our next major subscriber milestone for Trail Mix! Could you help us get there? If you enjoy these weekly deep dives into our corner of the desert, please tell a friend to subscribe, drop this in your neighborhood Facebook group, or send it to the group chat. Your referrals are what keep this trail moving. Thank you for reading!!
~ Kimberly
In Partnership With The Fieldhouse:
Fitness should fuel your life, not compete with it! At the Fieldhouse, our group fitness classes prioritize healthy progression over high performance, community over competition, and providing the personal coaching touch you've been missing. We believe the gym should be accessible to all generations; from scalable movements (can't squat, let's talk!) in all our programs to our kids' space and homeschool youth classes, make it a family affair! Visit our website to trial 2 classes for $5, meet our coaches, and see Rita Ranch's newest community hub.
8300 E Valencia, Building 10, Tucson, AZ 85747
(520) 500-1474
Field Report
Dust Off Your Boots. The Rodeo has Arrived in Tucson.
While the rest of the country stays at their desks, we’re keeping a tradition alive that dates back to 1925. Tucson remains the only city in the U.S. that treats the rodeo like a major federal holiday. 2026 marks the 101st anniversary of La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (The Celebration of the Cowboys). It’s officially one of the top 10 professional rodeos in North America, and it’s happening right down I-10 from Vail.
🐴 The Main Event: What to Expect
The Tucson Rodeo is a PRCA-sanctioned marathon that runs through March 1st at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds on 4823 S. 6th Ave, Tucson AZ 85714.
The Action: Gates open daily at 10:00 AM. If you have kids, don't miss the Mutton Bustin’ (12:00 PM) and the Junior Rodeo (12:30 PM). The pro performances, from bull riding to barrel racing, kick off at 2:00 PM.
The Barn Dance: When the dust settles, the party moves to the Coors Barn (Ages 21+). It’s the quintessential Tucson experience: live country music, cold drinks, and a lot of dirt-floor two-stepping until 8:00 PM.
General admission starts at $20. Parking at the grounds is $10 (cash is your friend for food and wares!). Heads up! The Rodeo has a Clear Bag Policy. Plan accordingly before you head out, so you don't have to trek back to the car.
🤠 The Parade: A Non-Motorized Marvel
On Thursday morning (Feb 26), the world’s largest non-motorized parade rolls out at 9:00 AM. You won’t find a single engine here. Just stagecoaches, buggies, and over 2,000 horses.
The Route: It begins at S. 12th Ave and E. Drexel Rd, travels east on Drexel, then turns north on Nogales Hwy, ending at Irvington Rd.
Pro Tip: Arrive by 7:00 AM. Street closures are serious, and the best spots along Nogales Hwy fill up fast. Bring a thermos and a jacket. The desert morning bite is real.
🏛️ The Hidden Gem: The Parade Museum
If the parade sparks a sudden interest in 19th-century transport, check out the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum (located at the Rodeo Grounds). It’s open Thursday–Saturday, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM, and houses over 150 restored horse-drawn vehicles, including some featured in classic Western films. It’s a quiet, fascinating break from the loud energy of the grandstands.
PET OF THE WEEK
Gatsby - A876756
Located At: Pima Animal Care Center - Tucson
Description: neutered male, black and white mix.
Weight: approximately 58.50 lbs.
Age: about 5 years old.
Bio: Gatsby has been at the shelter for 200+ DAYS without a real break. He’d love a foster home to get out of his kennel for even just two weeks.
He is friendly, affectionate, curious, and downright SILLY. He loves walks, sniffing ALL the smells, and giving surprise kisses. Gatsby would like to meet any potential furry roommates before heading to a new home to ensure a good fit.
THE CORKBOARD
Featured events and happenings around the greater Vail area.
Let’s Celebrate Our ‘Hood
Hi! It’s your editor, Kimberly. I’ve been dreaming up a few ways to bring our Vail, Rita Ranch, and Corona de Tucson neighbors closer together to support local makers and each other. I’d love your input on what you’d love to see next from Trail Mix! Choose what makes your heart happiest.
What would you love to see from Trail Mix beyond this weekly newsletter?
Spring Break is right around the corner. Check out what Christ Lutheran Vail has in store for your kids at this year’s Hometown Nazareth Vacation Bible School.
HOME ON THE RANGE
Welcome to an updated Home on the Range section. It’s here where we drink our coffee together on the porch as we talk about what it’s like to live in the desert.
If you have a home, Airbnb, or desert living tip you’d like to highlight, secure your spot here.
Keep the Rodeo Vibes Going at Home
If you're looking to keep the high-energy spirit of the local rodeo alive long after the dust settles, Sugarfoot Ranch is the ultimate desert sanctuary for any true wrangler. This 10-acre Vail estate, nestled against the Rincon Mountains, is perfectly rigged for the equestrian lifestyle with a full corral, birthing stall, and specialized shade shelters, ensuring your stock is as comfortable as you are in the custom 2019 Santa Fe home. Whether you're coming home from a long day on the Arizona Trail or preparing for the next big event, this ranch, complete with its cool-roof steel canopy and rugged stained concrete floors, is where the grit of the rodeo meets the refined luxury of the Sonoran Desert.
WHAT’S HAPPENIN’
Add an upcoming event to the Trail Mix calendar! It's free right here. ⤵️
February 26
96 Hours to Save - RV Show USA | Pima County Fairgrounds | 9 AM - 7 PM
Tucson Rodeo | Tucson Rodeo Grounds | 10 AM - 4:30 PM
It’s Babytime! Storytime for Babies | Murphy-Wilmot Library | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
February 27
96 Hours to Save - RV Show USA | Pima County Fairgrounds | 9 AM - 7 PM
Tucson Rodeo | Tucson Rodeo Grounds | 10 AM - 4:30 PM
Round Round Up | Trail Dust Town | 4 PM - 8 PM
Rodeo Dance | Trail Dust Town | 6 PM - 10 PM
February 28
Corona, Cars, and Coffee | Rita Ranch Home Depot Parking Lot | 9 AM to Noon
96 Hours to Save - RV Show USA | Pima County Fairgrounds | 9 AM - 7 PM
Tucson Rodeo | Tucson Rodeo Grounds | 10 AM - 4:30 PM
Arizona Renaissance Festival | Gold Canyon, Arizona | 10 AM - 6 PM
Live Music: Damon McLaughlin | Charron Vineyards | 2 PM - 4 PM
March 1
2026 Spring Tucson Toy Show | Tucson Expo Center | 9 AM - 3 PM
96 Hours to Save - RV Show USA | Pima County Fairgrounds | 9 AM - 7 PM
Tucson Rodeo | Tucson Rodeo Grounds | 10 AM - 4:30 PM
Arizona Renaissance Festival | Gold Canyon, Arizona | 10 AM - 6 PM
Live Music: Jimmy Hicks | Charron Vineyards | 2 PM - 4 PM
March 3
Family Storytime | W. Anne Gibson-Esmond Station Library | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
LEGO Club | Murphy-Wilmot Library
SNACK BREAK
Cowboy Butter Snack Mix
2 cups bite-size Cheddar cheese crackers
1 cup ranch-flavored Corn Nuts®
2 cups Nacho Bugles®
2 cups Goldfish® crackers
2 cups mini saltine crackers
1 cup mini pretzel twists
1 (1 ounce) packet ranch dressing mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
Combine cheese crackers, corn nuts, Nacho Bugles, Goldfish crackers, mini saltines, mini pretzels, ranch dressing mix, melted butter, Worcestershire, red pepper, smoked paprika, dry mustard, garlic powder, and black pepper in a large bowl until evenly coated. Transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet; spread into an even layer.
Bake in the preheated oven until lightly toasted and cracker mixture is mostly dry, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
THE OUTDOOR REPORT
Sunrise: 6:54 AM
Sunset: 6:17 PM
Air Quality: Fair (20 AQI)
Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent
SEE YOU OUT THERE
Publisher, Arizona Trail Mix
Southern Arizona's Unofficial Hype Woman