Opening Day At The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - The 120th edition of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo kicks off today, and there are plenty of new things for visitors to enjoy this year.
Organizers say more than 1,200 professional rodeo athletes have entered the rodeo.
Stock Show spokesman Matt Brockman says they'll notice one of them right away. "We have created something called 'The Tower Promenade,' which is a pedestrian thoroughfare that connects visitors from our parking lots to south with the main complex."
The 300-foot-long Promenade is between Cattle Barns 1 and 2.
Another new option is the weekend Rodeo Redline shuttle service from Billy Bob's, on Rodeo Plaza, that runs every 20 minutes. Brockman suggests you, "Sit down, relax, enjoy an easy ride that drops you right off at the north entrance to the grounds, right near the coliseum, right next to the petting zoo."
The shuttle costs $5 and includes parking.
Other new features include a newly renovated Cattle Barn 2, with improved lighting, ventilation and electrical, and a new milking parlor with a viewing area for the masses. Brockman said, "It's got seeing for approximately120 people, in a theater style environment, [with] video screens."
There will also be plenty of entertainment at the Coors Light Roadhouse. The entertainment venue is open Tuesday through Saturday during the Stock Show, and features some the "hottest regional" talent.
"House Music, "Jody Nix" and "the DJ Kevin SMith," will kick off events on the first night of the Stock Show. But Brockman says there will be other names you'll know. "Kelly Willis and her husband Bruce Robinson [will perfirm]. Bruce's brother Charlie Robinson will be playing on another night."
And to make it easier to navigate your way around the Will Rogers Memorial Complex, there's an app for that. Officials say the smartphone app will not only help visitors navigate around the grounds, but also find the next real-time event or plan an entire day.
"You'll have schedules for the various shows, you'll have rodeo schedules, [and] you'll have that lineup of the Coors Light Roadhouse," Brockman declared.
Along with featuring rodeo competitions and musical performances, the Stock Show is also known for helping young people further their education. Brockman said, "The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, last year, awarded about $600,000 in scholarships to youth across this state."
The "All Western Parade" happens Saturday at 11 a.m. in downtown Fort Worth and "Military Appreciation Day" is February 1.
The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo runs through February 6.
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