Yesterday was the Parada del Sol.

The Parada del Sol had its beginning in 1954 when the newly organized Scottsdale Jaycees assumed production of the three year old Sunshine Festival.

The first Scottsdale Jaycees sponsored festival promoted Scottsdale as “The West’s Most Western Town” to attract winter visitors and bring back to life the Old West flavor of Scottsdale.

The first rodeo was added to the Sunshine Festival in 1956, and the name of the festival was changed to the “Parada del Sol”. The Spanish translation of “Walk in the Sun.”

In 1959, the

Hashknife Pony Express ride was added to the Parada del Sol events. The Hashknife Pony Express ride is the only U.S. Postal Service authorized Pony Express service in the country. The ride, sponsored by the Navajo County Sheriff’s Posse, delivers the mail by horseback 200 miles from Holbrook to Scottsdale. The Hashknife mail delivery signals the official opening of the Parada del Sol each year.

In the past, over 150 entries and nearly 1,000 horses would travel south two miles down Scottsdale Road, making the event the “World’s Largest Horse Drawn Parade.” Followed by an all day Trails End Party in Old Town. In 2003 the parade took on an about face, the Parade route now runs north on Scottsdale Road from Oak to Indian School and ending at Trail’s End.

After the parade… Julia had a play-date so Nate and I had our own play-date at the mall at the new playground… Why are my legs sore again? 🙂