Citing the risk of heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding from Tropical Storm Priscilla the Town of Camp Verde and the Camp Verde Arena Association postponed all Fort Verde Days events to this weekend Friday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 19.
All event times will remain the same and previously purchased tickets will be honored at the new dates. However, Parks and Recreation Manager Shawana Figy said some of the music acts could not be rescheduled and was working on the lineup at press time.
“This decision was made in consultation with Yavapai County Emergency Management, the Camp Verde Marshal’s Office, Copper Canyon Fire and Medical, and Flagstaff [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration], all of whom have advised that the forecasted storm could bring heavy rainfall, high wind [and] hail,” the Camp Verde Arena Association wrote in its Thursday, Oct. 8 announcement. “To ensure the safety of our participants, animals, vendors, and community members, postponing the event is the most responsible course of action. Everyone’s safety is our highest priority.”
“Considering that we tend to have some areas that flood pretty easily here in Camp Verde, we were concerned about the safety of our citizens and traveling as well as if we have a big event going on with a lot of people and our all of our maintenance on our streets are called out because there’s flooding — it [causes] us have a skeleton crew,” Figy said.
Fort Verde State Historic Park will have artillery demonstrations and reenactments, as well as Dutch oven cooking demonstrations — admission to the park is free. The rodeo takes place at the Camp Verde Equestrian Center. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, and Saturday, Oct. 18, with the youth rodeo saddling up at 5:30 p.m. and a 7 p.m. performance. The rodeo dance follows the rodeo and is included in the price of admission. Friday night, children are welcome, however, Saturday is for adults 21 and up.
“Friday night is our First Responders Night, which means first responders get pre-sale ticket price at the gate with proof,” CVAA wrote on its website. “Saturday night is our military appreciation night. Wear your red white and blue. Military past and present gets the pre-sale ticket price at the gate. We will have Frog-X Veterans jump from over 3,000 feet in the air in the dark bringing in our American Flag.”
The Fort Verde Rodeo Queen and Junior Rodeo Queen for 2025 will be Cozette Zimmerman and Quinn Zimmerman respectively, the Camp Verde Arena Association announced on Oct. 4.
Tickets for the rodeo are available online for $15 in advance. VIP tickets are $25, kids age 6 to 11 are $8 and those 5 and younger are free. At the gate, VIP and general admission is $5 extra, and children ages 6 to 11 are $2 extra. Tickets are also available at Casey’s Cowboy Shop in Cottonwood or Camp Verde Feeds Store. For more information about the 2025 Fort Verde Rodeo and for tickets campverdearena.com.
The Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum followed suit, announcing on Thursday, Oct. 9, cancelling its Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 11. However Clive J. Hustito, a master carver and sculptor of the Zuni tribe who was to give a talk on Zuni fetishes will be rescheduled.
“Additionally, this was a non-ticketed event and free to the public,” VVAC wrote in its Thursday, Oct. 9 announcement. “We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. We look forward to rescheduling Clive J. Hustito and will keep everyone posted when a new date for his presentation is selected.”
