City officials brief Sunnyside Unified on rodeo parade route, safety and parking plans

City of Tucson officials on Feb. 20 updated the Sunnyside Unified Governing Board on the 100th Tucson rodeo parade route, neighborhood access, safety measures and parking arrangements.

Andy Squire, public information officer in the city manager’s office, and Joshua Rothschild, the city’s special events manager, told the board the parade will follow the same route used the previous year: starting at Drexel and South 12th Avenue, heading east on Drexel Road, turning north on Old Nogales Highway, and ending at Irvington Road. The city said neighborhood notifications will be mailed to residents, and that residents needing to leave during the event should try to do so by about 7:30 a.m.; emergency access will be managed by on‑site fire and police resources.

Officials described steps to improve egress and safety compared with last year: more Tucson Police Department personnel to help traffic flow after the parade, clarified no‑parking zones along certain narrow stretches, pedestrian rail along viewing zones to keep crowds clear of the roadway, and controlled, fenced paid parking near the bleacher seating to improve exit flow. They said there will be overnight parking in a designated zone between 12th and Liberty avenues with some overnight security and that the parade committee and city teams will monitor encampments and celebratory fires. City staff also described enhanced trash collection plans and post‑event cleaning efforts involving county crews and community partners.

Officials provided estimates for parade scale that the board requested: approximately 31 entries, 11 marching bands, about 639 horses and an estimated 2,633 total participants. City staff directed the board and public to tucsonaz.gov and the Tucson Rodeo Parade page for maps, transit reroutes and detailed closure times. Board members thanked the city team and asked clarifying questions about overnight parking, safety and cleanup.