IT'S A WRAP

Our 9 days of working the Tucson Rodeo is minutes away from being over.

As the sun was settling just above the western mountains yesterday afternoon, the last flurry of business was being conducted, and we were about to close the big doors for another year at the Tucson Rodeo.

Jim Maxie from MainGate, flew into Tucson from Indianapolis, arriving just before noon. In the last 2 weeks, he has crossed the country twice, putting in the miles both by truck, and by air. This morning, he starts the last eastbound leg back to Indy.

I took this picture as Jim was connecting the tractor to the trailer, and just before he pulled out of the rodeo grounds. Our sales for the entire rodeo were down from last year, and that's not what we wanted to happen. When ever we work these events for MainGate, one of our objectives is to increase business over the previous year, but it just wasn't in the cards this time. One of the main issues was the fact that we had almost perfect weather for the entire 9 days of the rodeo. The crowds were some of the biggest in recent years, but the warm weather actually hurt sales. The higher dollar items like sweatshirts are after thoughts, and people are more focused on t-shirts, and $3 tubes of sunscreen. As the saying goes, "it is what it is", and we know we did everything we could to maximize sales.

We are hopeful that despite the lower sales volume, MainGate will continue the relationship with the Tucson Rodeo. As long as the Phoenix Drag Race takes place during the same time frame, the logistics and costs for the rodeo are somewhat mitigated, but we realize that it's a year to year thing.

Jim has the trailer connected, and is about to start the drive back to Indianapolis.

This morning, we're moving just down the street to Lazy Days RV park, where we'll be away from the dust, and have an opportunity to do some much needed cleaning. Tomorrow, we'll be heading for Yuma, where the Gypsy Journal RV Rally begins this coming weekend.