Billed as “The World Series of Rodeo” and an “authentic Western culture experience,” The Hondo Rodeo Fest was a whirlwind of three days of rodeo excitement, music and fun in Downtown Phoenix at Chase Field. In its first year out of the gate, the music-and-rodeo event attracted more than 50,000 fans. 

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Hondo Rodeo pre-fest fun 

Each day started with a street fair at the entrance and in the street in front of Chase Field that included several Western-themed vendors and activations. Remarkably, there was no cost to enter and enjoy the street fair portion of The Hondo Rodeo Fest. Vendors included those selling hats, t-shirts, other attire and more. A street front stage kept people entertained and dancing in the hours leading up to the rodeo. 

Presenting sponsor Fritos had an adorable “fireside” lounging area with a Western theme and snack-size bags of Fritos for all, housed in horse “water troughs.” Next to the lounging area was a fun Fritos activation. Visitors could grab a cream or tan-colored leather key fob and have it branded with their initial or other symbol. 

Some Western fans even had their cowboy boots and purses branded by the Fritos team. It was the most fun theme-related activation I’ve seen at any event in a long time. 

Other marquee sponsors for The Hondo Rodeo Fest included Ancestral Supplements, Yates Buick GMC and Cavender’s. 

Rodeo talent 

The rodeo athletes participated via invitation only and included the biggest names in the sport. Rodeo events included competitions in bareback, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing and bull riding.

Event producer and former professional rodeo cowboy, Cord McCoy, and his team did an incredible job transforming Chase Field into a rodeo ground and concert stage. His multi-prize-winning bucking bull “Ridin’ Solo” is the reigning back-to-back PBR world champion and appeared this year.

Prize money flowed and was awarded to the first-through-fourth-place finishers in each round. Another big award, the Maverick Award was a $50,000 bonus to the cowboy or cowgirl who roped in the most money over three days. As it turned out, team ropers Erick Rogers and Paul Eaves and barrel racer Lisa Lockhart each racked up $43,000 in winnings, so the Maverick Award money was split three ways.

Entertainment plus

The first night’s entertainment on November 7 included opening act Whiskey Myers and headlining act, country music icon, Hank Williams Jr. A crowd of more than 17,000 piled onto the floor and into the stands of Chase Field to cheer on Hank Williams Jr. The Country Music Hall-of-Famer followed Whiskey Myers to the stage to a cacophony of applause and a screaming crowd. 

On the second night, Oklahoma-based band, Turnpike Troubadours riled up the crowd with their brand of honky-tonk/country rock blend and hits like “7&7” and “Good Lord Lorrie.” The headlining act and another act in the Country Music Hall of Fame, Brooks & Dunn showed off fun, excitement and a lot of energy as they played many of their 20, No. 1 country music hits from their nearly 35 years in the business. 

5 Fun facts about The Hondo Rodeo Fest

-One ticket included music and all events for one day
-The biggest rodeo to ever happen in the Valley
-Chase Field was transformed into a full rodeo ground and a massive entertainment stage 
-There was a combined $1 million prize pool for rodeo contestants 
-The massive event was produced by former professional rodeo cowboy and second-place finisher on “The Amazing Race 16,” Cord McCoy

thehondorodeofest.com

The final night of entertainment included Nashville-based band, Old Dominion taking the stage. The multi-award-winning group kept the crowd dancing and singing along to their hits “Hotel Key,” “One Man Band” and “Break Up with Him.” The band’s energy was infectious, and each member was clearly loving performing for the crowd. 

The final act of The Hondo Rodeo Fest was the Zac Brown Band, featuring nine members who are musically accomplished and had an unbridled energy only matched by the festival’s enthusiastic audience. The band nearly packed Chase Field as it wowed the crowd with their big hits, “Chicken Fried,” “I Loved Her First” and “My Old Man.” 

But it was the band’s wildly frenetic rendition of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” featuring Jimmy De Martini on fiddle that sent the crowd into overdrive. De Martini’s fiddle prowess was nothing short of jaw-dropping and one look to the exit of Chase Stadium saw the devil himself, slinking away in pure and utter personal disgrace. Good riddance, devil. DeMartini is king!

The most thrilling moment of the night was when the band played Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Their energy was amazing, and the entire crowd was singing along with the classic hit. It’s no small feat to cover a “Queen” song, and Zac Brown absolutely nailed the vocals, start to finish. 

Great news on The Hondo Rodeo Fest’s closing night

On the final night of The Hondo Rodeo Fest, our nation’s veterans and veterans of foreign wars were honored. Then, the winners in each rodeo event were announced, presented to the crowd and given their winning buckles. It was also announced that The Hondo Rodeo Fest will return to Phoenix in 2025. The Best of the Southwest can’t wait to return to cover all the action next year! To stay informed of all the news for next year’s event, visit TheHondoRodeoFest.com.