Tom Elliott will be doing what he loves most in today’s Tucson Rodeo Parade: waving.
The 82-year-old hasn’t missed riding in the parade in 21 years. Sure, he does it to give his business, Tomdra Vending and Coffee Service, exposure.
But it’s that greeting he really relishes.
“I ride in the parade because I like to wave at people,” he laughs. “It’s funny because so many of the spectators are my customers. We have vending machines, and they’re saying ‘Where’s your hot fries or where’s your potato chips? Where’s your peanuts?’”
Elliott is a native of Delaware. He didn’t move to Tucson until 1966, but with a buckaroo hat on his head, and sitting on top of his groomed steed, he identifies as a “real cowboy.” Bolstering his claim: he regularly rides his three cutting horses, which are used in western-style equestrian competitions where the horse and rider work as a team to steer cattle.
Every year, Elliott rides his 28-year-old horse, Jack. “He’s been a good horse, and sometimes when he gets around music he tries to dance,” he laughs. “He can probably dance better than I do.”
Elliott’s children participated in the junior rodeo circuit growing up, so a love for horses runs in the family.
“The outside of a horse, always makes the inside of me feel good, just being around those horses gives me a wonderful feeling,” he says.
After watching the parade for years, he thought it would be fun to participate. The first time he rode, he was joined by his grandson, who was 8 at the time. He usually rides with his family; this is his first year as a solo rider.
One of his favorite traditions is going home after the parade and watching it on TV. “When you’re in the rodeo parade you don’t get to see a lot because you line up, and you just see what’s in front of you and what’s behind you,” he says.
Elliott is looking forward to this year’s parade, likely wearing his black buckaroo hat, buckaroo boots and jacket adorned with tassels, depending on the weather. Catch Elliott riding just behind Geico and the Arizona Chapter of the Western Music Association. Be sure to wave back.
