RODEO PARADE

Dust off your boots
for the rodeo,
the parade is today
and I'm raring to go.

Cowboys and vaqueros
ride down the street
waving and smiling
to all they meet.

The horses high step
to make horseshoes sing.
The polished silver saddles
make a sweet ring.

Here comes a cowboy
standing on his horse's mat.
He's a trick roper
who jumps through his lariat.

Everyone is watching 
and having good fun.
I'll join the march
at the end when it's done.

Bands play, guitars strum,
floats go past.
The rodeo parade is over
much too fast.


     It is Rodeo Days in Tucson and the parade is today.  The students in our schools have today and tomorrow off so they can participate in the festivities.  The parade is called the longest non-motorized parade in the U.S.  When was the last time you went to see a parade?  Have you ever been in a parade?  Does your school have parades?  Your challenge for today is to write a poem about a parade, or something you saw in a parade.  Or you can use your imagination and add a verse to my poem.  Have fun writing.You can see photos of previous Rodeo Parades here:
http://tucson.com/gallery/news/local/photos-historic-tucson-rodeo-parade/collection_176c488c-3e7e-5fde-907d-4e581fe2cd43.html#0 

and the floatshttp://tucson.com/gallery/sports/rodeo/photos-rodeo-parade-floats/collection_dcf829a7-3a0c-5d41-bb67-226fc96bcc0d.html#6

and of the rodeo http://tucson.com/gallery/sports/rodeo/photos-la-fiesta-de-los-vaqueros/collection_9d0790d2-ba34-11e4-9a10-6f386173e470.html#0

RODEO DAYS

A banana, a mango,
I'm off to the rodeo.
I'm taking a picnic lunch.

I don't know where it's at,
but I'm taking a lariat,
and planning on fun, a bunch.

I'll laugh at clown faces,
watch fast barrel races,
and sit in the stands on a slope.

I'll see bucking broncos,
a group playing banjos,
and cows hog-tied with a rope.

I'll watch steers rush from the gate.
I can hardly wait,
and I won't 
be home 
until late.


     Rodeo Days is a big holiday event in Tucson--a great part of the town's heritage.  There is a big western parade with lots of wagons and horses.  Children get out of school.  Cowboys come from all over to try their hand at the rodeo events.  Have you ever gone to a rodeo?
     What is your favorite holiday?  Can you write a poem about that day?