A wagon tears through the dirt during last year’s Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. This year, more than 30 rodeos are scheduled.
FWSSR/Special to Country World
Cow Town spirit comes alive with exhibits and livestock
by KARI KRAMER ARNOLD, Country World staff writer
Jan. 10, 2008 - The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is kicking off this week.
Stock Show Publicity Manager Shanna Weaver said the event is the result of several months of planning.
“We start planning in April for the following Show,” she said. “There are so many moving pieces to the Show that it truly takes a full year’s worth of planning.”
A young cowboy makes his way through the crowd during last year’s livestock show.
FWSSR/Special to Country World
When planning Stock Show events, Weaver said organizers attempt to consider everyone from “exhibitors to the spectators.”
“The goal is to make it a positive, memorable experience for all involved,” she added.
Weaver said she feels the Stock Show continues to provide something for everyone year after year. In addition to the livestock shows, this year there will be national cattle shows, a celebrity goat milking competition, campfire stories,4-H and FFA contests, and horsemanship clinics.
“Most people in the livestock industry consider this a world-class event,” noted Weaver. “We put a lot of effort into educational exhibits, have great shopping, an attractive carnival and midway, terrific food, and of course, it’s not a trip to the Stock Show without taking in at least one of our 30 PRCA rodeo performances.”
Also, many events from last year will return to this year’s Show. Those presentations include the Best of the West Invitational Ranch Rodeo, Best of Mexico Celebracion and Bulls Night Out.
“The greatest response to an event is probably the Best of the West Ranch Rodeo,” said Weaver. “It’s so popular that a few years ago we added a second performance.
“The crowd just loves it. It’s a rodeo team-style and the crowd really gets into it because you can cheer on your favorite ranch in all the different events. That gets the crowd more engaged and excited than some of the professional single-athlete rodeo events, which in turn gets the participants excited. It also gives insight to folks who may not be familiar with ranch work as to what a real cowboy’s job is like everyday.”
Weaver said Stock Show visitors have come to expect specialty rodeos (in addition to PRCA events) when they attend the Show.
There are some recently added events that fans may already be expecting as well. For the second year, the Stock Show will “Go Pink” on Jan. 22. The day is marked as a celebration for breast cancer survivors. Fifty percent of all admission and rodeo ticket sales from the day will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Last year $15,000 was raised for the cause.
Returning from previous years is the observance of a “Military Day.” On Jan. 30, all active and retired military personnel and their immediate families can receive free Stock Show admission as well as rodeo tickets.
Weaver expects this years Stock Show to compare in size and attendance to last years’. Visitors travel from miles around to experience the unique activities held in Fort Worth.
“This is an affordable, family-friendly event,” she said. “If you are from a livestock background, this may be a reunion for you. If you happen to not be from a livestock background, we encourage those folks to come see what we are all about.
“This is a perfect place to experience new sights and sounds (and) get up close and personal to animals. It’s a great learning experience.”
This year’s Stock Show and Rodeo will continue through Feb. 3. Information about activities and special events, as well as maps and directions, are available at www.fwssr.com.
