TUCSON, Ariz. - The Tucson Rodeo is back with 94 years of tradition. But for one family, it's the first rodeo.
When Minnie Lush's family asked her how she wanted to celebrate her 80th birthday, she knew she wanted to do something different this year.
"I'm more of the restaurant dinner type," Lush said. "So when I said, 'I want to go to the rodeo, the one in Tucson,' they were in shock. They couldn't believe it."
Her daughter, Gabrielle Camacho, said she and her siblings couldn't believe that her mother wanted to go to the rodeo.
"Totally not her style," Camacho said. "But it just kind of taught us, no matter what your age, you can step out and try something new."
Lush lives in Los Angeles, but her daughter has lived in Tucson for more than 20 years. Both have never been to the Tucson Rodeo.
So Saturday, the two met at the rodeo grounds and joined 25 other family members -- from California, New Mexico, Colorado, and other parts of Arizona -- to celebrate her birthday.
The first-timers say the rodeo really highlights Tucson -- warm and welcoming. They already plan on returning next year.
"Makes you feel like you're right at home with family," Camacho said.
You can catch the Tucson Rodeo through Feb. 24.
