In the modern world, few traditions last more than a generation or two — but don’t tell that to the folks at Fort Verde State Historic Park.
At 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25, the park will host the 56th annual Fort Verde Days’ Colonel’s Daughter Contest, mirroring the long-standing tradition in mid-western and western communities of naming a local rodeo queen and putting a distinctly Camp Verdean spin on it.
“Horsemanship, poise and personality” is how Arizona State Parks Media Coordinator Monica Enriquez summed up the aspects of the competition. “The young woman that is chosen as the Colonel’s Daughter will receive gifts from the Town of Camp Verde’s merchants, which will include a winning buckle and spurs.”
As is the case with many such events, a panel of out-of-town judges will review the contestants, ensuring impartiality in selection. The girl’s names are unknown to the judges and will be called by number.
“It looks like this is the way it’s going to stand, at eight,” event co-chairman and Camp Verde Cavalryman Jim Meredith said, adding that a typical year features nine contestants. “They’re all going to be there …. They’re a blast. I just love this time of year.”
According to rules in place since 1960, contestants may range in age from 13 to 18. Among this year’s contestants, the youngest is 13 years old, the oldest 17. Seven come from Camp Verde, while an eighth is the daughter of a Camp Verde cavalryman from elsewhere in the Verde Valley.
The contest is broken into three challenges, Meredith said, consisting of a horse pattern display to show each young woman’s horsemanship, a walk alongside a cavalryman to display poise and a question and answer portion to highlight personality.
For the past several weeks, Meredith has been working weekly with the contestants, practicing each aspect of the competition.
“They’re having so much fun, especially the 13-year-olds,” Meredith said, adding that the younger contestants, competing for the first time, bring an energy to the event each year.
Following the contest, the winner and the seven other contestants — the Colonel Daughter’s Court, as they’re then known — will ride in the 60th annual Fort Verde Days parade, escorted by the Camp Verde Cavalry, Saturday, Oct. 8.
There is no fee to attend the Colonel’s Daughter Contest located on the parade ground, but the regular park entrance fee applies to those touring the historic homes and museum.
For more information on the event, contact Jim Meredith at (602) 540-0029 or Fort Verde State Historic Park staff at 567-3275.
