Though the midday sky was overcast Saturday, the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo Parade brightened up downtown Cortez as most of the parade walkers were decked out in pink.
The parade tied in with the “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” theme for the final rodeo performance at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Wrangler gear will be available for purchase, and proceeds will go to Southwest Health System to benefit mammogram services for women in need.
Parade participants, from rodeo royalty to emergency services workers, donned pink gear in support of the fight against breast cancer. Pygmy ponies had pink-colored manes and floats were decked out in bright decorations.
Hundreds of spectators lined each side of Main Street as Shriners and skateboarders threw out candy.
The Montezuma-Cortez High School marching band led the way at the parade, kicking it off with a performance of “When The Saints Go Marching In.” Fire trucks and police cars blasted sirens and flashed lights.
The parade also included some regal flair. This year’s Roundup Rodeo royalty, including Rodeo Queen Kelly Charles, of Cortez, rode horses during the parade. Lukachukai Elementary School princess Alyssa Tino Williams perched on the hood of a pickup truck and waved to spectators. Miss Utah Navajo Alliyah Chavez wore a bright red Navajo dress and waved.
This will be the 12th year that the Roundup Rodeo has featured a “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” breast cancer fundraiser night. It’s the 86th straight year of the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo.