Residents can deliver a piece of history and take part in a time-honored tradition this winter by submitting a letter to be delivered by horseback via the Hashknife Pony Express.
The annual Hashknife ride recreates one of the most daring and romantic chapters of the American West. Members of the Navajo County Sheriff’s Posse deliver official U.S. mail as part of their 200-mile horseback trek from Holbrook to Scottsdale.
This year’s ride finishes at high noon Friday, Feb. 10, at Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N. Marshall Way (one block west of Scottsdale Road at First Street).
The public, or at least their mail, can go along for the ride.
Participating is easy. Stop by Scottsdale’s Museum of the West or any of the post offices listed below and purchase a “Pony Express Mailer” for a $1 donation.
Address the envelope like any other letter and attach a postage stamp. In the bottom left hand corner write “Via Pony Express.” Drop the letter into a designated “Pony Express” canister at the museum on or before Wednesday, Feb. 1. Letters can also be dropped off at one of these Post Offices on or before Thursday, Feb. 2: Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Heber, Holbrook, Joseph City, Lakeside/Pinetop, Payson, Pine, Overgaard, Snowflake.
You can also mail a letter from your home:
Address the envelope as you usually do and place appropriate postage on it. Write “Via Pony Express” in the bottom left hand corner. Place letter/letters in another envelope and seal. Address to: Postmaster, Holbrook, AZ 86025. Mail the outside envelope with appropriate postage. Envelopes must be received by the Holbrook Postmaster by Feb. 6
In addition to mailing a letter, stop by the Museum of the West at noon Friday, Feb. 10, to celebrate the Hashknife’s arrival.
About two dozen riders and their horses will mingle with guests and participate in photos. Between noon and 3 p.m., the museum and the Hashknife Pony Express will offer free, family-friendly activities outside on the museum’s south plaza including a hands-on “Cowboy Bootcamp” geared for school-aged children.
Get more information on the Hashknife ride and celebration at HashknifePonyExpress.com or ScottsdaleMuseumWest.org
Hashknife riders will also participate the next day, Saturday, Feb. 11, in Scottsdale’s Parada del Sol Parade and Trail’s End Festival.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Scottsdale Road south of Camelback and weaves through several areas of Downtown, and past Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, where the announcer’s stand will be located. The party continues at noon with several Downtown locations hosting live music, activity booths, shoot-out re-enactments and multicultural entertainment.
For more parade information, including the route, visit www.ScottsdaleParade.com
