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Neither rain, sleet, nor dark of night can stop the Hashknife Pony Express. Each February for the last 53 years, the old west is brought to life as an elite group of riders thunder through Arizona. This exciting event is the oldest officially sanctioned Pony Express in the world. Each rider is sworn in as an honorary mail messenger braving weather, terrain, and modern-day obstacles to deliver the United States mail.
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Beginning in historic Holbrook, the horseback mail route covers over 200 miles from the majestic Mogollon Rim through Payson and the wilderness of the Mazatzal range to the desert city of Scottsdale where it kicks off the Scottsdale Jaycees' Parada del Sol celebration.
The Hashknife was a tool originally used by chuck wagon cooks to cut meat for hash, often fed to cowboys on the range. The Hashknife brand originated in Texas as the identification of the Aztec land and Cattle Company, which moved to Holbrook, AZ in 1866. Later, in 1957, the Navajo County Sheriff's Posse retained limited use of the brand. The Hashknife brand now identifies the Pony Express. Riders are members of the Navajo County Sheriff's Posse or their invited guests.
The Hashknife outfit has the longest contract with the U.S. Postal Service and annually delivers around 20,000 pieces of first class mail bearing the valued "Via Pony Express" cachet which is hand-stamped by the riders before the start of the ride. The "Official Pony Express Envelope" will be available on December 1, 2010. The public can purchase them for $1 each at the Holbrook, Overgaard, Pine, Heber, Payson, Fountain Hills, and Scottsdale Post Offices.
Your letter will be hand-stamped with the official ride logo, the treasured cachet coveted by stamp collectors around the world. So pick up your official envelopes and start writing! Check with your Post Office for the mailing deadline.
After the delivery all 30 riders go to the Rusty Spur Saloon in downtown Scottsdale for lunch and they hitch their horses to a hitching post on the street in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Come out and meet the riders at each event along the way and support a rich western tradition that links our communities with the past.
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Click here for Photo Gallery
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Come out and meet the riders at the following events:
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| Tues, February 7, 2012 |
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2:00 pm
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Holbrook, Arizona
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Meet the Hashknife Pony Express Riders at the Old Court House |
| 6:00 pm |
Holbrook, Arizona
Elks Club
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Meet the Hashknife Pony Express Riders at the Elks Club for Dinner sponsored by the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce |
| Wednesday February 8, 2012 |
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8:00 am
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Holbrook, Arizona
US Post Office
100 W Erie Street |
Hashknife Pony Express Riders depart from the Post Office to begin the relay mail run |
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4:45 pm
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Payson, Arizona
US Post Office
100 W Frontier Street |
Hashknife Pony Express Riders arrive at the Post Office to pick up Payson mail |
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7:00 pm
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Payson, AZ
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Location to be announced |
| Thurs, February 9, 2012 |
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10:00 am
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Payson, AZ |
Hashknife Riders with Post Office Mail depart for final run to Scottsdale |
| Friday, February 10, 2012 |
| 12:00 pm |
Scottsdale
Marshall Way south of Camelback at the Bridge (west of Scottsdale Road) |
The Mail Arrives at the Hashknife Pony Express Statue. |
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12:30 pm
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Scottsdale, Az
Upper Deck Sports Grill
4224 N Craftsman Court
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Lunch at the Upper Deck Sports Grill for Hashknife Pony Express Riders
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| Sat, February 11, 2012 |
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10:00
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Scottsdale, AZ
Parada del Sol
Scottsdale Road (from Oak to Indian School) |
Parada del Sol Parade with Hasknife Pony Express Riders |
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12:00
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Scottsdale, AZ
the Dirty Drummer
2730 N. Scottsdale Road |
Lunch at the Dirty Drummer for Hasknife Pony Express Riders |
| Fri, March 2 - Sun, March 4, 2012 |
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7pm
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Scottsdale, Arizona, Parada del Sol Rodeo
West World Friday Mar 2
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1pm
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Scottsdale, Arizona, Scottsdale Pro Bull Riding
West World Friday Mar 3
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7pm
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Scottsdale, Arizona, Parada del Sol Rodeo
West World Saturday Mar 3
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| 2 pm |
Scottsdale, Arizona, Parada del Sol Rodeo
West World Sunday Mar 4
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