Miami Has A Rodeo?

March 5, 2013

That’s right folks – Miami has its very own rodeo called the Homestead Rodeo. Obviously this isn’t what most people expect from a city in Florida, instead being quite comfortable in their knowledge that cowboys only ever live in mid-Western states. What might surprise you even more is that the Homestead Rodeo has been running since 1949, so it isn’t just some gimmick rodeo which is put on each year to attract tourists to the area. What basically started as a small celebration of a love of all things equine by 17 people in Miami has grown to become a multi-day event which is now called the Homestead Rodeo.

January 24th – 26th 2014 marks the 65th anniversary of this rodeo, which also gives it the privilege of being one of the oldest sporting events run anywhere in Florida and it’s been run from the Doc’ DeMilly Rodeo Arena at Harris Field for the majority of those years.

The fact that the Homestead Rodeo brings around 15,000 people to the city to take part in and simply enjoy the event over its 3-days means that there’s a financial bonus in this for the city and local businesses too.

So is the Annual Homestead Championship Rodeo a rodeo in the truest meaning of the word?

Of course it is and everything you’d expect to find happening at a rodeo in Denver you can expect to find happening at the Homestead Rodeo too. The rodeo itself kicks off with a massive parade to get everyone in the mood and from there you can expect to see bull riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling and of course other popular events like cowgirls’ barrel racing too. During the barrel racing you’ll see some real horseback skills at work and this isn’t an event you want to miss. Food at the rodeo is kept simple but tasty so you can expect to get the usual selection of burgers, hotdogs and of course the ever popular elephant ears (relax they’re not real).

How amazing is Florida? Not only do we have some of the very best beaches in the world, an amazing climate and positive economic growth, but we also run one of the best rodeos in the United States every year too!