“You know it’s a sin if you ain’t been to the Stock Show.”
To anyone not from Colorado, the preceding sentence may not make too much sense. To native Coloradans, however, it means that the annual National Western Stock Show, Rodeo and Horse Show is back in town once again.
The yearly event, now in its 99th year in Colorado, runs from Jan. 8-22 at the National Western Complex, east of I-25 on I-70.
The Stock Show is run by National Western in order to “preserve the western lifestyle by providing a showcase for the agricultural industry.” The show was started in 1906, when livestock commission merchants met at the Denver Stock Yards.
However, there’s more to the Stock Show than just a bunch of animals in pens. The Stock Show also showcases more than 15,000 animal exhibits, 375 vendors selling a variety of foods, crafts, clothing and jewelery, and performances. The performances at the Stock Show include Mexican Rodeo Extravaganzas, Professional Bull Riders, Professional Rodeos and Wild West Shows with trick riding, lasso demonstrations and other crowd-pleasers. For those not interested in rodeos, there are also dog shows and trials, show jumping, dancing horses and draft horse and mule shows. Livestock auctions and wool judging shows are also popular events.
The Stock Show is sponsored by over 50 companies, all of which have promotional displays in the National Western Complex, and who often hold giveaways. Truck companies sponsoring the Stock Show hold raffles for new trucks.
In 2004, attendance for the Stock Show was 625,345, down slightly from 2003, when attendance set a record at 641,033.
This year, new shows and exhibits have been added, including the “Cowboy Experience.” The new exhibit is intended to teach children about animals, agriculture and how a ranch is run.
The Stock Show has become a tradidion in Colorado, but not everyone is a fan. While promoters and sponsors would like to believe that all Coloradans support them, it is not the case. Many animal rights groups, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) annually protest the Stock Show, saying that the animals are not treated well, and that rodeos are cruel.
PETA provides anti-rodeo posters and flyers on their Web site for those who do not wish to support the Stock Show. The flyers and posters are available online at www.peta.org.
Some of the shows and events at the Stock Show are free (after admission), but others can cost up to $100, depending on seating. Weekday admission is $7 for adults (age 12 and up). Admission on weekends and holidays is $9 for adults. Children’s tickets are $2 on weekdays and $3 on weekends and holidays.
Tickets can be purchased at King Soopers stores, Coors Field or at the National Western Ticket Office at 1-888-551-5004.
