Welcome To Texas: Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

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FORT WORTH (CBS 11 NEWS) - After 120 years, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo has become synonymous with Texas and its western heritage. More than one million people will visit during its 23-day run, and it may be because the annual event really does have something for everyone.

Addison Crumpton and her big brother, Justin, are no strangers to the Stock Show. The Alvarado kids raise longhorn cattle, and this event is where all their hard work pays off. "I'm just trying to get that belt buckle every time," says Justin. "It's just awesome when you get it. That's why I always come back."

The belt buckle he refers to goes to the Grand Champion in any category, and last year Justin took home the prize in his. But this year little sister Addison is hoping it's her turn. She takes good care of her bull calf, Night Storm.

"Mainly he likes to be scratched right here," the 7-year-old said, while demonstrating her scratching technique along the young bull's neck. "But sometimes I like to scratch him right here [on his belly] when he's eating."

Few things say 'Texas' more than the longhorn. A few stalls down from the Crumpton's livestock is a steer named Billy Gun. At 4-years-old, he's the biggest longhorn steer in his age group.

Jesse Rivera of Red Oak explained, "He has the largest horns in his age group. He measured out at 117 inches (total horn length) in October, and tip to tip was 91 ¾ inches."

Young and old people have been showing their livestock in Fort Worth for more than a century, making the Fort Worth Stock Show one of the oldest livestock shows in the country. The rodeo wasn't added until 1918, but as the "World's Original Indoor Rodeo", it's consistently one of the city's top draws each year.

The Children's Barnyard is a huge draw for the little ones. The facility is complete with piglets, ducklings, and hatching chicks -- the room is its own entertainment.

Another big source of entertainment: more than four acres of shopping. There are the things you might expect to see: cowboy hats, boots, and other western wear, but there are also tractors, home decor and even mattresses.

Gary Don Oldham and Monty Kemp have been with the Stock Show for 41 and 28 years, respectively. As the arena director and assistant arena director, they say they know exactly why folks come back year after year.

"Everybody has a good time here," says Oldham. "And we make sure they play nice and make sure everyone gets along, that's why everybody comes back here."

Or, as Kemp is quick to point out, "It's Texas friendly."

You'll likely get no arguments from the Crumptons. Justin and his heifer won 3rd place in their class and second in Teen Showmanship.

Little sister Addison not only came in first in her class, she had the Overall Grand Champion Bull in the longhorn youth show… winning herself a buckle, after all.

The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo runs daily through February 6.

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