81st Annual Yuma Silver Spur Rodeo Returns to Yuma County Fairgrounds

The Silver Spur Rodeo returns to the Yuma County Fairgrounds for three performances Feb. 13-15, drawing Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association athletes and offering a mix of competition, family activities and community fundraising. Gates open at 2:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with performances from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; gates open at noon Sunday with a 2:00 p.m. matinee. Organizers say children 10 and under enter free with general admission, and a presale discount of 20% is available for a limited time.

Tickets for grandstand and general admission are available through the rodeo’s ticket store. Grandstand presale is $30 for Friday and Sunday, $32 for Saturday, with gate prices $35 and $37 respectively. General admission presale is $28 for Friday and Sunday and $30 for Saturday; gate prices are $33 and $35. Discounted general admission for military, first responders and seniors (55 and older) is $20 presale and $25 at the gate Friday and Sunday, and $22 presale and $27 at the gate Saturday. For ticket questions call (928) 344-5451.

Competition will include bull riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and timed roping events. Rodeo Chairman Lefty Leifeste said, "You're going to see some bareback riding, some saddle bronc riding, some timed events of our roping- of course the bulls. We did bring in breakaway roping this time." Promotional materials list breakaway roping with $2,000 in added money for the new event, creating an early-season payday for contestants. The three-day program also promises a specialty act, vendors, food and merchandise booths and family favorites including Mutton Busting.

Community engagement extends beyond the arena. A downtown rodeo parade is scheduled for Saturday at 9:00 a.m., starting at Orange Avenue and Fifth Street and proceeding to Main Street. Second Vice Rodeo Chairman Don Jacobs urged residents to attend, saying, "Many may know our route got cut drastically short this year, and that's because our numbers have been down, so please come out and support our rodeo because we're trying to get our full route back next year." Restoring the full parade route is being framed as a community priority.

The rodeo includes themed awareness days tied to local causes: Feb. 13 is Wear Denim Day to support "Pick Up Man" suicide prevention efforts; Feb. 14 is Wear Pink Day for the "Buckin for Bridget" breast cancer awareness campaign; and Feb. 15 is Wear Red/White/Blue Day to honor military and first responders. Organizers note that drinks on site will be card only, and many sponsors from local businesses to national brands support the event, with Rain for Rent presenting and Bob Edmonds announced as the event announcer.

For Yuma County, the Silver Spur combines entertainment with economic and civic benefit: it brings revenue to downtown businesses and fairground vendors, raises awareness and funds for local health causes, and offers discounted access for seniors, veterans and kids. Attendance this year will test whether community participation rebounds enough to restore the parade route and sustain the long-running tradition. For ticket details and updates call (928) 344-5451; plan ahead to take part in the 81st celebration and the rodeo’s community-focused programming.