Planning begins for bigger and better 49th annual Stagecoach Days

If you’ve been in or near Maricopa for any length of time, you know that Stagecoach Days has been an historic celebration of Maricopa’s heritage. The event, which began in 1958, started as a way to raise funds to build a swimming pool for local youth. Local farmer and Rotarian John Smith donated the land, and the Rotary Community Pool, still in use today, became a reality.

During the 1960s and 1970s, festivities included kids and adults in western wear, horse events, a community barbeque, races, a beard contest, a barn dance and even rodeos. Over the years the number of events dwindled until a golf tournament and the barn dance have become the primary focus for fund-raising.

“It was an amazing event for years and years,” noted Vice-Mayor Brent Murphree, the new Rotary Club president. “It was a family event that raised funds, and that’s the same foundation we want to build on,” he told about 20 residents gathered for the Stagecoach Days organizational meeting Monday.

Vice-Mayor Brent Murphree discusses ideas for Stagecoach Days with community members.

“The goal,” indicated Murphree, “is to bring it back to the community. I see it as a branding event for the City of Maricopa.” Murphree says as Maricopa grows so will Stagecoach Days. “We hope to partner with other groups in Maricopa to make this traditional event something everyone can enjoy each year.”

Stagecoach Days has its own web page, which will feature history, events and contacts. The committee will meet again on Tuesday, August 22, to discuss event possibilities and to finalize the date for Maricopa’s 49th annual Stagecoach Days.

As Murphree told the committee members, “Maricopa has a great heritage, and we’re developing a great heritage as we speak.”