SET UP DAY

This big trailer will be our workplace for the next 9 days of the 86th annual Tucson Rodeo. I took this photo yesterday morning before we got inside to do the initial inventory, and started setting everything up.

We're glad that MainGate decided to continue partnering with the Tucson Rodeo, despite the fact that they no longer have the contract for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas. In the past, the Tucson Rodeo has been an outlet for much of the left over NFR merchandise, at really good prices for the consumer. For the first time, this big trailer is filled almost exclusively with Tucson Rodeo merchandise, so it will be kind of a test year to see how well we do without the price reduced stuff from the NFR.

We started work a little after 8am with Jim Maxie, our MainGate coordinator. By about 1pm, we had the starting inventory done, the new scanners figured out (hopefully), instructions on the applique machine, and everything put away and organized. After Jim parked the tractor, we had a late lunch at a local restaurant, then dropped him off at the airport. He'll fly back to Tucson on Sunday the 27th, help us get shut down, then drive the rig back to Indianapolis.

This morning the rodeo officially kicks off with the action starting at about 1pm. The crowds start rolling in at 11am, but we open the trailer between 8-9, catching some of the early business.
The weather forecast is calling for a chance of some showers today, and tomorrow. Last year we got a couple days of heavy rain, which made a muddy mess of the arena, and in the area where we park the motor home. We're keeping our fingers crossed that the water stays elsewhere this year.