Before a few weeks ago, I had never been to Laughlin, Nevada. Laughlin is a border town just across the Colorado River from Arizona. It’s also a popular destination for folks who want to get into Nevada for a little fun on the weekend. You can easily see that by the size of the resorts in Laughlin. They don’t strike you as a small-town border-type place to put up for a night, but rather pretty big-time places that are capable of handling some serious crowds and events.

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The 15th annual Laughlin River Stampede will kick off under the wide-open western skies of the Laughlin Events Park March 26 through March 29. Gates open Thursday at 11:30 a.m. and the rodeo begins at 1:30 p.m.

Four days of action includes all the traditional rodeo events each day, bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping, tie-down roping, cowgirl barrel racing and bull riding.

More than 500 professional rodeo contestants are expected to arrive in Laughlin for the event, as well as Miss Rodeo America 2009. The list of renowned cowboys and cowgirls expected to participate includes several all-around champions.

John Payne, the “One-Armed Bandit” named a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Specialty Act of the Year eight times, will perform with his trained buffalo.

Visitors will find cold beer, water, food vendors and western merchandise on the rodeo grounds a...

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For the 15th year, this four-day event will feature America’s best cowboys and cowgirls competing in several fast-paced, spine-tingling events for more than $225,000 in prize money.

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March 12-15, 2009/Thursday-Sunday
Laughlin, Nevada

Experience unique opportunities to view birds and wildlife along the Colorado River in Nevada and Arizona

Festival will include:
•Guided bird/nature walks – Big Bend of the Colorado River State Recreation Area, Colorado River Heritage Greenway Trail, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, Hualapai Mountains, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Wee Thump Joshua Tree Forest
•Guided bird/nature trips by kayak – Black Canyon, Colorado River, Topock Gorge
•Nature art show, wine & art reception
•Live Animals – raptors, reptiles
•Booths, demonstrations, displays, workshops

Featured Speaker and Artist:
John Acorn-John Acorn is the Nature Nut and is best known as the writer and host of the television series “Acorn, The Nature Nut,” a family-oriented, how-to-be-a-naturalist show.

Sharon K. Schafer-Sharon K. Schafer is the featured photographer and artist and will provide a multimedia presentation and sketches, paintings,...

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