Famous Brazilian Rodeos – Exciting Events for 2023

Famous Brazilian Rodeos

The Brazilian rodeo is typically a blend of thrilling athletic competitions, agricultural showcases, and lively cultural celebrations. The events are not just about the captivating spectacle of cowboys testing their grit against bucking broncos and swift steers. They also reflect a deep-seated respect for rural traditions, animal husbandry, and the skill and courage of the riders.

Festa do Peão de Barretos

The most famous Brazilian rodeo is the Festa do Peão de Barretos. Held annually in the city of Barretos, São Paulo state, this event has grown exponentially since its inception in 1956. Today, it is considered the biggest rodeo festival in Latin America, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The event is a grand spectacle that includes bull riding, team penning, and calf roping, among other competitions. It also features concerts from some of the biggest names in Brazilian country music sertanejo.

The Festa do Peão de Barretos, also known as the Barretos Rodeo, is the largest country music event in Latin America and is held in an area of more than 2,000 square meters. The event features the most traditional and best rodeo in the country in different forms, four stages with musical shows, cultural activities, a commercial fair, a camping area, and more.

This festival was first launched in 1956 by a group of single men from the municipality linked to local agriculture, known as "Os Independentes." The event had a strong cultural presence and the country music scene gained strength during this period. Today, Barretos is a reference for other rodeos in the interior of São Paulo and throughout Brazil.

Since 1985, the festival has been held in a large park known as Parque do Peão, whose area of over 110 hectares was designed by the famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. The park has a rodeo arena with a capacity for 35,000 seated people or 50,000 occupying the entire space of the arena and bleachers.

The 65th edition of the event was held from August 18 to 28, 2022, after being suspended for two years. The festival brought big names in country music back to the stage, such as João Bosco & Vinicius, Maiara & Maraísa, Gusttavo Lima, and Jorge & Mateus. The 2022 event was anticipated to bring in more than 900,000 people, which is almost ten times the population of Barretos.
In 2023, the 66^th edition of the Festa do Peão de Barretos will be held between the 17^th and 27^th of August. The grand winner of last year’s competition was rider Fabrício Gomes.

ExpoAgro Guaxepé

The ExpoAgro Guaxupé is a vibrant rodeo event held in the city of Guaxupé in Brazil. Scheduled from July 2 to July 11 in 2023, the event takes place at the city's exhibition park and offers a rich array of attractions for all ages and interests.

As the name suggests, the event is centered around a professional rodeo. The ExpoAgro Guaxupé Rodeo Festival 2023 features a variety of rodeo events, including bull riding and competitions such as the Three Barrels, American Saddle, Bareback, and Bulldog. These events draw top competitors from across the country, promising an intense competition for the rodeo prize.

In addition to the rodeo, the event offers a diverse range of other attractions. These include a food court, an amusement park, bars, restaurants, country dancing, stands, and animal exhibits featuring cattle, sheep, and goats. These features combine to create a lively and engaging environment for attendees, offering something for everyone.

The ExpoAgro Guaxupé 2023 also stands out for its music program. Over the course of the festival, nine different shows will take place, providing a wide variety of music styles. Despite this diversity, country music maintains a strong presence in the lineup. In 2023, the schedule includes performances by Jorge e Mateus and Alexandre Peixe (July 2), João Bosco e Vinícius and Fernando e Sorocaba (July 3), Exaltasamba (July 4), Luan Santana (July 8), Victor and Leo (July 9), Zezé di Camargo and Luciano (July 10), and Zé Henrique and Gabriel (July 11).

Ipuã Rodeo

The Ipuã Rodeo, known as EXPUÃ 2023, is set to take place from September 3rd to September 7th in Ipuã, São Paulo, Brazil. This event offers a variety of attractions, including rodeo competitions and live musical performances. The lineup for EXPUÃ 2023 includes performances by: Eduardo Costa, João Carreiro e Capataz, Gusttavo Lima, Fábio Júnior, Caravana Lidersom and Gian e Giovani.

Other Famous Brazilian Rodeos

In addition to the ones mentioned above, Brazil is home to many more rodeos. The list of Brazilian Rodeos in 2023 includes:

1. Bragança Paulista Rodeo: This event took place in Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, from April 20th to 22nd.
2. Ribeirão Preto Rodeo: Held in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, this rodeo event occurred on April 29th and 30th.
3. Cajamar Rodeo: This event took place on May 26th and 27th in Cajamar, São Paulo.
4. Ourinhos Rodeo: This event occurs from June 15th to 18th in Ourinhos, São Paulo.
5. Orlândia Rodeo: Scheduled from July 6th to 8th in Orlândia, São Paulo.
6. Juína Rodeo: This rodeo is held from August 3rd to 6th in Juína, Mato Grosso.

What Rodeos Bring to Brazil

Brazilian rodeos are not just about the spectacle and competition, though. They also have a significant social and economic impact. The events often bring a substantial boost to local economies, generating jobs and promoting tourism. Moreover, they support rural communities by providing a platform for local businesses and farmers to showcase their products and services.

The peões themselves deserve special mention. In the world of rodeos, these are the individuals who command the most attention and admiration. Their craft demands physical strength, sharp reflexes, and a courageous spirit. In a way, they embody the essence of the Brazilian rodeo: a blend of raw athleticism, courage, and a profound respect for rural traditions.