Thanksgiving parade to have rock 'n' roll theme; Tuff Hedeman grand marshal

The 2023 theme of the Thanksgiving day parade is "Rock 'n' Roll Extravaganza," Sun Bowl Association officials announced Tuesday. The grand marshal will be four-time world champion and Pro Rodeo Hall-of-Fame Bull Rider, Tuff Hedeman.

All floats for the 87th Annual Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers Sun Bowl Parade must include a Rock 'n' Roll theme with a rock artist in mind. The floats can include mascots, characters or a spokesperson as a focal point and rock music is a must, officials said at a news conference.

“We are looking forward to another year of excitement at the 87th annual Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said partner Noe Valles of Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers in a news release. “The theme 'Rock 'n' Roll Extravaganza,' harmonizes the power of thankfulness with the vibrant energy of music, creating a symphony of support for our community. Just as the beats of rock unite diverse melodies, the parade strives to unite El Pasoans. Together, let's rock on and celebrate a harmonious Thanksgiving parade filled with joy, justice, and endless gratitude.”

The Thanksgiving parade will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 23 along Montana Avenue and will be televised on KTSM News Channel. 9.

“We are excited to see what everyone builds and produces for this year’s parade with the theme 'Rock ‘n’ Roll Extravaganza!'," said Sun Bowl Executive Director Bernie Olivas.

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This will be the third parade with Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers as the title sponsor.

Tuff Hedeman is arguably the most recognized cowboy in the world and a living legend, organizers said.

Hedeman was born in El Paso and won many junior rodeos in his youth. In 1980, he won the high school rodeo bull riding and All-Around titles in New Mexico. He won the team roping title and All-Around designation again in 1981. After high school, he attended Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. At Sul Ross, he was a member of the rodeo team, competing in bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, and bull riding, according to the news release.

“We have so many great individuals from El Paso and it is time we have the greatest bull rider there ever was to lead the Glasheen, Valles & Indernam Sun Bowl Parade,” Olivas said. “Hedeman has accomplished so much in the world of bull riding and beyond, it is only appropriate to have him as our 2023 Grand Marshal.”

Hedeman was instrumental in starting the Professional Bull Riders. In 1995, he won the PBR World Championship despite an encounter with a Bodacious bull that resulted in numerous broken bones in his face.

Hedeman served as president of the PBR from 1992 to 2004 and was a commentator for televised PBR events from 1999 to 2004. In early 2005, Hedeman briefly joined the PRCA Xtreme Bulls tour as a sideline reporter for televised events before joining CBR not long after. He was president of CBR from 2005 to 2011 and was a commentator for televised CBR events from 2005 to 2008. Hedeman left CBR in early 2018 to start his own organization: the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour (THBRT).

For more information about Tuff Hedeman go to www.tuffhedemanbullriding.com.

María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150, mcortes@elpasotimes.com and @EPTMaria on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Tuff Hedeman will be grand marshal for El Paso Thanksgiving parade