Good Guys patrolling the streets of a small cowtown, upholding the law and order. Bad Guys out to loot and pillage the town, no matter who gets hurt. Toss into this volatile situation an itinerant

troupe of dance hall girls, and you have a mixture that could spark into flaming gunplay at any moment.

The ensuing story of greed, vengeance and frontier justice may not be historically true ... But it ought to be!

The Arcadia rodeo began back in the middle of 1928 when the American Legion wanted to raise money to help pay for a new building. A local businessman, who was a member of the American Legion, asked a

prominent rancher, Zeb Parker, if a rodeo could be held to raise money. Mr. Parker agreed it could b e done and offered to furnish the stock for free. In preparation for this event, special arrangements were made to bring in a group of Seminole Indians. The American Legion and the Lion’s Club volunteered to sponsor a parade. Two thousand Shriners were expected to march in the parade. The Governor of Florida, Doyle E .

Carlton, notified officials he would be attending the rodeo and the Wauchula band provided the music . The first rodeo was such a success that the American Legion was able to pay off the mortgage on the new building in four years. During the early 1930s (even though the local economy was devastated by the

national depression), the rodeo continued as people struggled to earn enough to afford the necessiti es of life. During these years the rodeos were held in the Limestone Community of DeSoto County, where the

interest in rodeo was kept alive.

The History of the Rodeo

Experience pure pride in country. Sense the chill bumps cover your body and the tear develop in the corner of your eye. Stand at

attention, salute or place hand over heart. It gets no better as the Rodeo is about to start.

In 1938 at the urgings of his son, Billy Welles, and a friend, Gerald Taylor, a local rancher and b usinessman, Ed Welles agreed to promote and finance the rodeo. The Arcadia rodeo became an annual event at the

Welles’ arena until the sudden death of Ed Welles on June 11, 1950. However, the tradition of rodeo was so firmly entrenched in the hearts of so many DeSoto Countians that on January 10, 1952, at a meeting o f the Rotary Club, what would become the Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo, Inc. as we know it today

was reactivated. The rodeo continued at the Welles’ arena until 1959 when the arena was moved to its present location. In 1973 the Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo, Inc. joined the ranks of the

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). The Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo, Inc. has evolved from its pioneer beginnings (when competing cowboys and ranchers matched their skills for th e

entertainment of local audiences) to a national sport drawing top cowboy athletes from all over the nation. Cowboys who compete for purses and points are aiming for the “Super Bowl” of rodeo: the National Fin als

held annually in Las Vegas.

The History of the Rodeo

Carl E. Sharp State of Florida’s Cowboy Poet Laureate

• A true patriot of the United States of America. • 37 years - Dept. of Defense - on loan to the State Dept. and NASA • 45 years - Cowboy Poet Laureate • Entertains US troops all over the world - traveling to 49 countries. • Over 100 hrs. of poetic verse committed to memory and proud member of the “Arcadia All Florida Championship Rodeo.” Stop by the south end of arena at the VIP pavilion and pay hello and shake this American cowboy’s hand.

Donnie Gay Eight-time world champion

PRCA Bull Rider • Second-highest marked Bull Rider in the history of Pro Rodeo (97 points) • Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame • TV Color Commentary/Analyst • Commentary/Host on horseback for the “Arcadia All Florida Championship Rodeo” for the past 10 years.

Apprehensive? NO WAY! However,

timing and precision is a

must! Watch closely...

Kids, get ready for the Calf Scramble and WIN A PRIZE! Just before intermission, all children ages 6-12 enter the arena.

When you hear the announcer say “It’s time for the Calf Scramble ... on your mark, get ready, GO!” Be the first to pull that ribbon off the calf’s tail, hold it up high, you win!!

Mutton Bustin’ (ages 4-6)

MUST PRE-REGISTER Go to: ArcadiaRodeo.com

& click on “Kids Event” Get registration in early!

Very popular event! Mount your ride, hang on tight, whoever travels the

furthest wins cowboy/cowgirl belt buckle and photo

displayed on the Rodeo Webpage of Fame!

Putting you out to pasture for a spell:

Stroll around the rodeo grounds, buy souvenirs and something

scrumptious to eat and drink. It’s all here for you!

Not like any 25 cent pony ride outside your neighborhood drug store... It’s SO MUCH MORE!

Stand, applaud, cheer me ON - not off!

You need to make plans and get your tickets ordered early for the best action-packed Professional Ro deo Cowboy Association three-day event east of the Mississippi River. Indeed, this would be the Arcadia All-

Florida Championship Rodeo March 8-10, 2013. If you’ve attended before you already know, and for tho se who are sitting the fence undecided and never attended, you’re encouraged to make this year your fir st of many more to come. You see, this rodeo is reasonably priced, yet exploding with entertainment value and

action-packed events that will bring you to the edge of your seat. This rodeo in Arcadia draws the b est talent in Professional Rodeo. Why? Because the rodeo brings the very best animal athletes and pays v ery well for those cowboys and cowgirls to perform their best at their profession and for the entertainm ent

value to the fan and spectator. This rodeo has become so popular that professional riders of several other countries make Arcadia the rodeo to schedule, and to add to that, the Arcadia Rodeo draws an

international fan base to the arena as well.

FILL ‘ER UP FRIDAY

Up, down and spun all around. All I need is eight seconds and a prayer ...

and I’ll have a chance to win!

Traditionally, this open arena that rodeos rain or shine offers one of the largest arenas on the cir cuit. Yet all of the stands are covered so the fan is protected from the sun or rain. Just imagine yourself there to enjoy along with the 8,000-10,000 rodeo fans. This is common for Saturday and Sunday, yet Friday is the da y this rodeo targets to make as huge as the weekends. Here’s the thought: communities or neighborhoods make plans to Fill `ER up Friday. Large group orders have a special package price. Call or go online and inquire about large group order package rates for Friday. A great idea is to schedule a full bus, ca ll a bus

line and go together. Let the bus company do the driving and enjoy the trip there and back and do it with friends and neighbors. Make plans, ask for Friday, March 8, as a day off or vacation day for a long

weekend. Make Friday your community or neighborhood “Block Party at the Rodeo.” This is solid entertainment value for all. Organizations and large communities, book your bus.

Come and see the cowboys pound the dust!

FILL `ER UP FRIDAY

Giddy Up! This is fast and fun!

Check out the girth and muscle tone. Round the last barrel, headed home.

Time. Be at the Rodeo.

See ... feel ... hear the results!

It starts with focus, timing and two great rope tosses ...

See how it ends at the Rodeo!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday March 8-10, 2013

WHY?

That was a perfectly good horse he was riding!

Country music singer/songwriter Chris MacArthur has performed with who’s who of country music and has appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Late Show with David Letterman and Nashville Now with Ralph Emery. Nearing his

third decade in the industry, his country road has taken him all across North America, several of those years as a country music writer in Nashville. Hear his sultry, soulful voice combined with

country swagger and lightning hands on the keyboard as he performs daily with his band, “The Florida Cracker Boys.”

He will also be performing at the Rattlers Country Western Saloon Friday and Saturday night.

See page 12 of this special section for more information.

The Bull Riding event ends each day at the rodeo. We encourage you to attend one or all three days a nd we believe you’ll experience memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re making a return visit, we ask that you share your past experiences with friends, neighbors and co-workers and encourage them to

join you in the experience that is

“THE GRANDDADDY OF ‘EM ALL” The Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo, where

Every Spectator Enjoys the Ride! The Arcadia Rodeo Association and the entire community of DeSoto County appreciates your

patronage during this, the 85th consecutive year bringing one of America’s original sports, RODEO.

All photography provided by: Andy Gregory

Ticket Information

DATES: March 8, 9, 10, 2013 Time: All performances start at 1:00pm

ADVANCE TICKET PRICES • $15.00 per person, per day • $10.00 per child, per day (11yr & younger) • $20.00 per person, per day for seats in rows 10-20 in sections X & Y, rows 5-15 in sections A& F (No discounts or children’s prices for these seats)

• We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. Please have your credit card ready. • No ticket orders will be mailed out after February 22, 2013 • TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE & NON-EXCHANGEABLE • ALL SEATS ARE COVERED

OFFICE HOURS • Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm • Extended hours beginning February 23:

Weekdays-9:00am to 5:00pm Saturdays-10:00am to 2:00pm

TO ORDER TICKETS: • Visit our website: www.arcadiarodeo.com & click on “tickets” • 1-800-749-7633 or (863) 494-2014 • FAX order: (863)494-2751 • Make checks payable to: Arcadia Rodeo Association • Mail to: Arcadia Rodeo Association, 124 Heard St., Arcadia, FL 34266

FILL ‘ER UP FRIDAY Call for special pricing

Large group orders only! 1-800-749-7633

Schedule of Events

• 9:00am - Ticket windows open • 11:00am - Gates open; BBQ Dinners sold

(Not Included in Ticket Price)

• 1:00pm - Shootout performance (Included in Ticket Price)

• 2:00pm - Rodeo begins (Ends approximately 4:30pm)

• During the show - Mutton Bustin’ (Included in Ticket Price / Registration and fees

required)

• Before intermission - Calf Scramble (No registration required)

• 9:00am - Ticket windows open • 9:45am - Mini Shootout (Downtown) • 10:00am - Rodeo Parade (Downtown) • 11:00am - Gates open; BBQ dinners sold

(Not included in Ticket Price)

• 1:00pm - Shootout performance (Included in Ticket Price)

• 2:00pm - Rodeo Begins (Ends approximately 4:30pm)

• During the show - Mutton Bustin’ (Included in Ticket Price/ Registration and fees

required)

• Before intermission - Calf Scramble (no registration required)

• 9:00am - Ticket windows open • 11:00am - Gates open; BBQ dinners sold

(Not included in Ticket Price)

• 1:00pm Shootout performance (Included in Ticket Price)

• 2:00pm -Rodeo begins (Ends approximately 4:30pm)

• During the show - Mutton Bustin’ (Included in Ticket Price/ Registration and fees

required)

• Before intermission - Calf Scramble (No registration required)

FRIDAY, March 8, 2013

SATURDAY, March 9, 2013

SUNDAY, March 10, 2013

Aviation Directions Arcadia Municipal Airport

Airport ID: X06

Latitude: 27-11.520N

Longitude: 81-50.238W

CTAF 123.0

Exit airport and turn right onto Airport Rd. Take quick left onto Maple Drive. Go 1 mile to Hillsborough and turn right. Go 1/2 mile and see Rodeo grounds on your left.

Driving Directions

Rodeo Parking is $5.00 (Price may vary according to vehicle size). Events and times are subject to change without prior notice. Tickets are Non-Refundable, Non-Exchangeable

RODEO WILL GO ON RAIN OR SHINE! TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE!!!

Stop in and check out the latest looks for winter. We

have an incredible selection of boots, belts, shirts, denim,

hats, outerwear and accessories in stock at great

prices!

1411 E. Oak St. • Arcadia • 863-494-6088 www.eliswesternwear.com

We have something for

everyone!

Fun for the whole family at the historic Arcadia All-Championship Rodeo. Discover what DeSoto County and the City of Arcadia have to offer from antiques to boutiques, golfing to great dining, and farm tours to an exotic animal refuge.

� Reel excitement: DeSoto’s dual stock of fresh and saltwater fish makes fishing here doubly rewarding.

� Fossil frenzy: Dig into a bounty of archeological treasures so rich even the Travel Channel has taken notice. Discover fossilized shark teeth and more!

� Enjoying the water your way: Relax on a comfy boat tour or hit the water in a canoe or kayak—the Peace River is water fun just the way you want it, and is consistently named the

best place to canoe by Florida Monthly Magazine.

� More smiles per mile: Hiking, biking, horseback riding on trails and in parks across the county.

� Picture perfect: Deer, foxes, birds, manatees and more make for thrilling birding and wildlife viewing.

� Happy campers: Spend the night under the stars in DeSoto’s stellar campgrounds where facilities range from RV to primitive.

� Historic charm, unforgettable hospitality: With more than 400 buildings and homes on the National Register of Historic Places, DeSoto immerses visitors in turn-of-the-century

architectural beauty.

� Florida’s Best Small-Town Antiquing: Twenty-plus exceptional indoor establishments, plus street vendors, spread over the heart of downtown for an antiquing experience second

to none. And our monthly Antique Fair, held every 4th Saturday, brings more than 100 top-flight dealers to the city.

World-Class Rodeo & More

Discover Your Adventure!

C a l l F o r M o r e I n f o r m a t i o n

8 6 3 . 4 91. 7 5 74

o r C a l l 8 5 5 . R E A L . F L A

t w i t t e r . c o m / d i s c o v e r d e s o t o

f a c e b o o k . c o m / d i s c o v e r d e s o t o

Plan your trip with our interactive attractions map and events information calendar by visiting us on the web at:

www.VisitDeSoto.com

Spectacular Twilight Air Show •with Patty Wagstaff & Team AeroDynamixWings of Freedom Tour: B-17, B-24, P-51•NASA Commercial Crew Program Display•Demonstration Flights•An Aircraft Auction•

Educational Forums•Seaplane Base at Lake Jackson•Model Airplane Contest•Award Ceremonies•Wine & Food Benefit Events, and More•Purchase Event Tickets Online!•

Sebring, Florida 863.655.6444www.sport-aviation-expo.com

EXPOJANUARY 17-20, 2013

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Expo AAFC Rodeo Section.indd 1 12/27/12 12:39:42 PM