CAVE CREEK, AZ - A rodeo will be held this weekend in the North Valley to honor a community leader who was killed in a flash flood in 2005.
The Wayne Wilson Memorial Rodeo and Carnival is named in honor of Wayne Wilson.
On a Monsoon day in August of 2005, Wayne Wilson was driving his truck and horse trailer across a flooded wash near New River.
The truck overturned, and in a dramatic rescue the two horses in the trailer were saved, but Wilson was not.
"It's still a hard memory," said Wayne's son Chris Wilson. "He was a big person in giving back to the community and helping out".
After his death, the family has tried to continue in Wayne's example.
"We started the Wayne Wilson memorial scholarship fund," said Chris.
And now comes the Memorial Rodeo and Carnival.
"For myself, my sisters, and my daughters it helps honor the memory of our dad," said Chris.
They expect about 3,000 people this weekend, which would raise $20,000.
"The goal is that 95 percent of the proceeds after we recover costs will go back out to the community," said Chris.
This is the first year for this event and hopefully not the last.
"I think he would be proud of all this," said Chris.
The rodeo will run October 9 to October 11 at the Memorial Arena in Cave Creek and will include bull riding, mutton busting, live music, carnival rides and games.
Learn more about the rodeo in Cave Creek, how to attend
