ARIZONA RANGERS TO CELEBRATE STATEHOOD WITH FREE 2-DAY EVENT IN BENSON

The Benson Company of the Arizona Rangers, along with the City of Benson and the Benson/San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring “Arizona Rangers Territorial Days” on February 14th and 15th.

The event returns the Territorial Days celebration to Benson and to commemorate Arizona’s statehood on February 14th, 1912. Activities will be held at the Arena in downtown Benson, located at 4th Street and Prickly Pear Avenue. .

This year’s celebration includes a cowboy mounted shooting competition featuring the Old Pueblo Peacemakers, an old west fashion show by the Tombstone Vigilettes, appearances by Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, an Arizona Rangers camp, US Cavalry units, and much more.

Popular local band “Exit 303” will play a concert Saturday evening starting at 7:00pm. All the activities, including the concert and parking, are free to the public. Spectators are encouraged to dress in the spirit of the celebration!

The Arizona Rangers were formed in 1901. The 26-man police force cleaned up the territory in preparation for statehood, and was disbanded in 1909. The Arizona Rangers were formed again in 1957 as a law enforcement auxiliary, and continues to serve the citizens of Arizona.

For more information on Territorial Days 2009 check out their website at www.bensonarizonarangers.org and click on Upcoming events. Or call Lt. Brad Cherry at 520-586-0952 or Capt. Kevin Rasch at 520-661-3668.