The Parque do Peão is the permanent home of the Festa do Peão de Boiadeiro, the enormous rodeo festival that draws nearly a million visitors to Barretos each August. The centrepiece is a 35,000-seat arena built specifically for bull riding — one of the largest rodeo venues anywhere in the world. The complex also includes restaurants, bars, accommodation, and the Museu do Peão.
Outside festival season, the park is open and worth visiting to understand the scale of the operation. The arena feels improbable in a city of 120,000 people — an architectural monument to a very Brazilian form of popular culture. The park hosts smaller events throughout the year, including regional rodeo competitions.