January/February 2026

36 – Purebred PIGEON Arizona Pigeon Club Hosts the Annual Cactus Classic Show in Tucson, Arizona By Phillip Fry On November 29th, the Arizona Pigeon Club held its annual Cactus Classic Show at Thurber Hall, located at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona. This year’s show brought together an impressive variety of pigeons and exhibitors, continuing the long-standing tradition of celebrating pigeon breeding, exhibition, and education. More than 240 pigeons were shown, representing over 40 different breeds. Exhibitors from across the region came to compete, share knowledge, and showcase the quality of their lofts. The wide range of breeds on display made the event one of the most diverse shows the Arizona Pigeon Club has hosted. This year’s Cactus Classic also served as a sanctioned RareBreeds Pigeon Club meet and show, featuring 16 different rare breeds judged and exhibited. This successful turnout is a direct result of an expansion initiative launched by the Rare Breeds Club aimed at a more nationwide presence. Through this expansion effort, Rare Breeds Pigeon Club members with extra birds have been offering free pairs of rare breeds to new fanciers who join the club and commit to breeding and showing those birds. This strategy has proven to be a genuine win-win: breeders are able to lighten their feed bills after the busy breeding season, while rare breeds gain increased visibility, representation, and conservation support within the hobby. Unlike many traditional pigeon clubs, the Rare Breeds Club stands out for its core mission rooted in true conservation. The focus is not only on exhibition but also on preserving and increasing the population of breeds that are not commonly seen in today’s shows. Devin Roberts with his Best Color and Champion Rare - Archangel