PIMA — Extended families will soon start to descend on the Gila Valley, as Pioneer Days gets underway.
“It has grown and we do get a lot of them. Parents are appreciating it because they have kids now coming and spending their weekend here, enjoying all the different activities,” said organizer Mel Palmer.
Gila Valley Pioneer Days takes place throughout the Gila Valley on Friday and Saturday, July 22-23.
A pickleball tournament will get things started Friday, at 6 a.m. There will be two divisions — one for those 50 and older and the other for those 49 and younger. Cost is $20 per team.
Things take a break until 4:30 p.m., when the variety show at the David M. Player Center for the Arts gets underway. Admission is $3 per person and tickets are on sale now.
At the 7 p.m., the family rodeo will start at the Vard Lines Roping Arena in Pima. The event will feature the boot race, stick horse race, cow hide race, catching greased pigs and wild chickens, cowboy musical chairs, ribbon roping and Mormon roping.
The family dance will close out the first day’s activities. The dance, at the Thatcher Elementary School playground, starts at 8:30 p.m.
Pickleball at 6 a.m. starts Saturday’s events. This time play is divided into men’s doubles and women’s doubles, with the same two age groups. Cost is $20 per team and play is limited to eight teams in each division.
The 5k run will also start at 6 a.m., with the start and finish in the Thatcher High School parking lot. Cost is $15 per person. Once the 5k finishes, the free 1-mile fun run will start.
The co-ed volleyball tournament will take place from 8 a.m. to noon at various high school gymnasiums across the Valley. Cost is $50 per team.
The 3-on-3 basketball tournament will then take over the gyms from 1-5 p.m. Cost is $20 per team for 10 and under, $25 per team for 13 and under, $30 per team for 17 and under, and $40 per team for the open age division.
The parade, with the theme “Let us all press on,” will start at 5:30 p.m. and travel from Church Street at Third Avenue in Thatcher, down Stadium Avenue and end at the Thatcher Ball Fields. Treats may be handed out, but not thrown, and no political entries will be allowed.
Dinner and games on Eastern Arizona College’s Mickelson Football Field will start at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks after 8 p.m. to close out the two-day celebration.
To register for any of the Pioneer Days activities, go to Gila Valley Pioneer Days.
