It was windy and chilly, but the parade marched on. La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade is touted as the world's longest non-motorized parade. It began in 1925 and features more than 200 horse-drawn floats along the 1 1/2-mile route that goes south on Park Avenue from Ajo Way, then turns west at Irvington Road to the rodeo grounds.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Members of the Miss Latino America float walk down Park Ave. during the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
A trick roper performs during the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Participants make their way down Park Ave. during the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
A saxophonist from Catalina Foothills Marching Band unleashes a dance during the 2019 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on Feb 21, 2019.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Tucson Rodeo Chairman happily hangs on to his hat during the 2019 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on Feb 21, 2019.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Two parade watchers peek out of their blanket to watch the floats during the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
A little parade watcher waves as others try to keep warm during the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
A group takes a selfie before the start of the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Riders carry the flags of the US Armed Forces during the 2019 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on Feb 21, 2019.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Mini horses pull a wagon down Park Ave. during the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Parade watchers wave to people on floats during the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
The Santa Cruz Catholic Church participates in the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Little Mexico Steakhouse entry is a splash of color during the 2019 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on Feb 21, 2019.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
The beginning of the parade moves west on Irvington Rd during the 2019 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on Feb 21, 2019.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
The League of Mexican American Women passes through the grandstand area during the 2019 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on Feb 21, 2019.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Parade participants on the Achieve Builds Confidence, Inc. float wave to the crowds during the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Parade watchers come dressed in their western wear to watch the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
The Pueblo High School marching band performs during the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
A group of parade watchers stand behind a barricade at the corner of Ajo Way and Park Ave. during the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Members of the cheering squad from Sunnyside High School walk down Park Ave. during the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
The Mormon Battalion float passes the. Grandstand during the 2019 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on Feb 21, 2019.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Lynne, standing, and Paul Romeo came from Scottsdale for the parade and rodeo during the 2019 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on Feb 21, 2019.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
The KFMA entry makes some noise during the 2019 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on Feb 21, 2019.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Quincy Sherfield, 6, finds warmth within his grandfather's, Cecil Jordan's, coat during the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Two parade watchers enjoy their view on top of a jeep as the University of Arizona marching band passes by during the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Carol Barnette, left, reads a book to her niece, Khloe Drow, 4, to pass the time before the start of the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Meilani Villa, 1, is all bundled up and ready to watch her first La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Irene Villa, 10, left, and Alaina Sharpe, 8, play with their horses as they wait for the annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade to start on February 21, 2019 in Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
From left, Jazmin Bujanda, Luis Bujanda Thao Lam and Martha Leyva help decorate the El Rio Community Health Center float while participants in Thursday's 94th Annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade decorate their floats at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. 6th Ave., Feb. 20, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. The parade starts tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
El Rio Community Health Center workers, with the help from Tucson Rodeo officials, put plastic coverings over their finished parade float in anticipation of heavy rain while participants in Thursday's 94th Annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade decorate their floats at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. 6th Ave., Feb. 20, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. The parade starts tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Cynthia Quijano, left, practices her royal wave as she and co-worker Dalilah Del Valle make tissue paper flowers for the Big Brothers Big Sisters float while participants in Thursday's 94th Annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade decorate their floats at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. 6th Ave., Feb. 20, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. The parade starts tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Kevin No, left, leans in to watch Joe Pfannenstiel affix a barrel cactus decoration to the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus float while participants in Thursday's 94th Annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade decorate their floats at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. 6th Ave., Feb. 20, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. The parade starts tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Aerosol glitter is applied to tissue paper flowers while participants in Thursday's 94th Annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade decorate their floats at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. 6th Ave., Feb. 20, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. The parade starts tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Heidi Garcia, left admires her handing handiwork while she helps mom Debbie Gallagher decorate the Boot Barn float while participants in Thursday's 94th Annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade decorate their floats at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. 6th Ave., Feb. 20, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. The parade starts tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
Rick Wiley
Photo editor