Arizona native Jessica Cox named grand marshal for Tucson Rodeo Parade

TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD 13 News) - The Tucson Rodeo Parade named Jessica Cox the grand marshal for this year’s event during a news conference on Thursday, Jan. 26.

Cox, who was born in Sierra Vista, is the world’s first licensed armless pilot. She has a black belt in Taekwondo, a cyclist and author.

In becoming a pilot, she earned a Guinness World Record medal. She’s been featured on numerous television programs, including Ellen, Oprah Winfrey Network, CNN and CBS Evening News.

Cox, a University of Arizona graduate, is the author of the self-help/autobiographical book Disarm Your Limits.

In 2020, she was named the Dedication Recipient for the 38th El Tour de Tucson. The award goes to those who have made significant contributions to the bicycling community.

The Tucson Rodeo Parade, the “longest non-motorized parade” in the United States, begins at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. KOLD 13 News will broadcast the two-hour parade live and stream it online.

The parade route begins on Ajo Highway, about a half-mile west of Park Avenue. The parade will roll down Ajo, turn right at Park Avenue, then right at Irvington Road and right at Sixth Avenue before ending at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds.

The judges and reviewing stands will be on Park Avenue in front of the Ward V City Council office. Grandstand seating is available on Irvington Road and requires a ticket, which can be purchased at ticket booths near the grandstands or in advance at The Rodeo Parade Office.

Past Grand Marshals

2023 -- Jessica Cox

2022 – Adia Barnes

2021 – No parade due to pandemic

2020 – World War II veterans

2019 – Guy Atchley

2018 – Tucson Conquistadores

2017 – Jeannette Maré

2016 – Chandler Warden

2015 – Jerry Kindall

2014 – Dan Marries

2013 – Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly

2012 – Tucson Boys Chorus

2011 – Joel D. Valdez

2010 – James “Big Jim” Griffith

2009 – Robert E. Walkup

2008 – Humberto Lopez

2007 – Dr. Richard H. Carmona

2006 – Louise Serpa

2005 – Baxter Black

2004 – Mrs. Cele Peterson

2003 – Larry Mahan

2002 – Mike Candrea

2001 – Dolan Ellis

2000 – Hadley Barrett

1999 – Sons of the Pioneers

1998 – Rex Allen Jr.

1997 – Don Collier

1996 – Ben Johnson

1995 – Charles Sampson

1994 – Gil Fricker

1993 – Jim Ronstadt

1992 – Burt Humphrey

1991 – Bill West

1990 – Chuck Henson

1989 – Jim Click Jr.

1988 – Lute Olson

1987 – Gov. Rose Mofford

1986 – Bill Breck

1985 – Paul Grimes

1984 – Mayor Lew Murphy

1983 – Frank B. Roe

1982 – Roscoe Christopher

1981 – Kingston J. Smallhouse

1980 – Joe Weinzapfel

1979 – Clinton L. Helbig

1978 – Roy P. Drachman

1977 – Joseph O. Niemann

1976 – Alex G. Jacome

1975 – Harry V. Chambers

1974 – Gene C. Reid

1973 – Royal Irving

1972 – Brooks Davis

1971 – John R. Snider

1970 – Ambassador Raul H. Castro

1969 – U.S. Sen. Carl Hayden

1968 – C. Edgar Goyette

1967 – Ferd Lauber

1966 – George W. Chambers

1965 – Fred Blanc

1964 – Pete Waggoner

1963 – Clarence E. Britten

1962 – A.M. (Jake) Meyer

1961 – Harry Blacklidge

1960 – Dr. Richard Harvill

1959-57 – Frank Putter

1956-51 – Ed Echols

1950-46 – Frank Putter

1945-36 – J.C. Jack Kinney

1935 – Fred Ginter

1934-30 – J.C. Jack Kinney

1929-26 – American Legion & Pete Waggoner

1925 – Lions Club, Kiwanis, Rotary Club & Pete Waggoner

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