The Valley had seven cities with less than a million, but more than 100,000 residents in the year 2000. These cities were: Chandler, Peoria, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale and Gilbert. That same year, Phoenix boasted a population of over a million people.

In 1956, the first rodeo was added to the Parada del Sol Festival. The rodeo is held at the Equidome at WestWorld and runs the first weekend in March. The Parada del Sol Rodeo is three full days of cowboy activities.