TRPC Special Member Recognition

TERRY BETTS

The Tucson Rodeo Parade celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025, and few people have been as closely connected to its history as Terry Betts. A dedicated member of the Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee for more than half of the parade’s century-long history, the 2025 parade marked Terry’s 56th year of involvement. No current committee member has served longer.

Terry’s connection to the parade began long before he joined the committee. In 1948, as a preschooler at Boots and Saddles Nursery School, he rode through the parade in a wagon alongside his classmates, dressed in western attire complete with a cowboy hat and a bright red fake beard. More than seven decades later, Terry continues to play an important role in preserving one of Tucson’s most cherished traditions.

Throughout his years of service, Terry has served on—and chaired—many of the committee’s key subcommittees, including Music, Entries and Lineup, and Tickets. He has also served numerous terms on the Executive Board and was Chairman of the Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee for the 1997 and 1998 parades.

During his tenure as chairman, Terry introduced several lasting improvements. He increased committee revenue by implementing commercial signage fees for parade entries and led the development of comprehensive operating profiles for each subcommittee. These written procedures documented responsibilities and best practices, creating a valuable resource that continues to guide committee members today, even as the profiles have evolved over the years.

Terry joined the committee through his father-in-law, Paul Grimes, himself a longtime committee member. The Betts family’s commitment to the parade has since spanned generations. Terry’s wife, Lynnell, and his oldest daughter, Angie, have both been recognized by the committee for their many years of volunteer service, while his younger daughter, Tracy, is now a member of the committee herself. For the Betts family, the Tucson Rodeo Parade has always been—and continues to be—a true family tradition.

Reflecting on his years of service, Terry shared these thoughts in his father-in-law’s book, The Tucson Rodeo Parade, Parade Museum and Committee: A History From 1925:

“The most interesting part of having been Chairman of the Parade Committee is its 36 members. The camaraderie, caring and concern of this committee cannot be outdone by any other organization. Our main goal is to put on the safest, most authentic, longest non-motorized parade for the community of Tucson. The members do just that through their dedication, time and unselfishness.”

As the Tucson Rodeo Parade celebrates its centennial, Terry Betts stands as a living link between its past and present. His decades of leadership, dedication, and service have helped ensure that this beloved Tucson tradition continues to thrive for future generations.

TRPC Special Member Recognition

BUD KRIETEMEYER

Member 1966-2021

Bud was an active member of the committee for over 54 years, more than half of the parade’s 100 years of existence and one of the longest tenured members in our history. He volunteered to assist in the annual parade several years before becoming a committee member in 1966. During that time, he has served numerous volunteer positions including Parade Committee Chair (1989-90), and Committee Secretary, and working with the sub committees that oversee horse contracting, transportation of wagons and buggies, maintenance and repair of harness and wagons, and maintenance of the museum and workshop buildings at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds. He was also a member of the Tucson Rodeo Committee for over 35 years, overseeing vendors and concessions at the rodeo.

Bud grew up in Southern Arizona and Tucson and had an extensive background with horses and horse-drawn vehicles. He drove multiple-team hitch wagons in performances at Old Tucson and for our committee’s entries in numerous parades over the years including the Phoenix Rodeo Parade, Scottsdale Parada del Sol, Willcox Rex Allen Days Parade, and Helldorado Days Parade in Tombstone. His experience as a driver and equestrian was a valuable asset to the Tucson Rodeo Parade.

For many years Bud had overseen the horse warm-up area prior to the parade. His knowledge of horses, harness, and wagon mechanics served the Parade Committee well. As an all horse-drawn parade, it is important to have the horses properly warmed up and exercised prior to joining the queue on the streets. During the warmup, Bud observed the horses for behavior and posture to indicate possible problems with the animals. He checked harness for safety and made sure that the combination of horse, harness, wagon, and driver were all compatible and working properly to ensure a safe journey through the streets of Tucson.

Bud was also an accomplished chuck wagon cook. He served up meals for groups such as the Boy Scouts, the student contestants at the University of Arizona Intercollegiate Rodeo, and for committee members and guests at the annual Tucson Rodeo Parade Trail Ride.

Bud was the first member in the history of the Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee to serve 40, 45, and 50 years, and the Parade Committee’s service

recognition award is named for him. His Brother Gene was a committee member, and his son Russ is a current member and past Chairman of the Parade Committee. The Rodeo Parade Committee has a deep gratitude for Mr. Krietemeyer for his years of dedicated service in producing a 100-year historical tradition that presents a rolling history of Western heritage and culture of Southwestern Arizona.

TRPC Special Member Recognition

Paul Grimes

Member 1950-2001

A member since 1950, Paul was many things to the Parade Committee; Member, Chairman, Advisor, Author, and Historian. As band director at Tucson High School, he was immediately put in charge of bands and musical entries for the parade, a position that he held for 21 straight years. During this time, the band entries for the parade were highly competitive and music became a staple of the Rodeo Parade.

Music played in his heart. Paul was a long-time music teacher and band director at Tucson High from 1950-1958 and at Rincon High School from 1958 until his retirement in 1978. He was a member of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Tucson Pops Orchestra and director of the Sabbar Shrine Band. He is enshrined in the Tucson High School Hall of Fame and was awarded the University of Arizona Alumni Association Distinguished Citizen Award in 1985. He authored several books including “The Pride of Arizona,” a history of the UA marching band.

Grimes served as Chairman of the Parade Committee in 1972, 1973, and 1975. In 1978 he began assembling an annual to document each parade year and was the official historian of the Parade Committee until his death in 2001. His efforts produced a history of the Tucson Rodeo Parade, titled “Tucson Rodeo Parade & Museum – Stories – Memories – Tales – Since 1925,” published in 1991. This book is the complete history of the Rodeo Parade. A second updated edition was published in 2000 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Tucson Rodeo Parade. He was honored as Grand Marshal of the 1985 Rodeo Parade, and the Tucson Wagon and History Museum courtyard was dedicated to him in 2001.