Breakaway roping, mechanical bull riding, steer wrestling and other rodeo-like activities will be part of the three-day Desert Rodeo event set for this weekend in Thermal.
The event will be held Friday through Sunday at the International Horse Park, 85555 Airport Blvd., from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., with rodeo entertainment from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
The event will feature the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Pro-Rodeo competition, produced by the Flying U Rodeo, which will present daily entertainment such as team roping, barrel racing and saddle bronc riding, organizers said.
The event will feature a mechanical bull, photo opps underneath the Wrangler “Wranglers Butts Drive Me Nuts” sign, a kids corral, a retail shop area and various country cook-outs.
“The Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce is incredibly excited to welcome the inaugural Desert Rodeo to our region,” Chamber CEO Katie Slimko-Stice said in a statement. “This event not only promises to be a fantastic entertainment draw, boosting tourism and local significant addition to the Coachella Valley’s vibrant event landscape, showcasing the spirit of the West while providing a positive impact. We encourage everyone to secure their passes and experience this exciting new event.”
Proceeds from the event will in part benefit the Golden Circle of Champions, an organization raising awareness and funds for children battling pediatric cancer in the Greater Palm Springs area.
For more information or to purchase tickets to the event, visit desertrodeo.com.