Fort Worth Stock Show And Rodeo Tickets

A Historic Festival

Ever since its first incarnation way back in 1896, the legendary Fort Worth Texas Rodeo has been an annual occurrence. Taking place during the latter part of the winter season, typically late January to mid-February, the event is one of the most exciting festivals on the American calendar.

Operating as a not-for-profit company, the Stock Show has provided scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars over the years. It continues to deliver hefty funds for agricultural research and for the promotion of better livestock management practices both locally and around the world. This is your chance to witness something truly magnificent and you can do that by getting your Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo tickets.

The Beginning

Shortly after the Civil War, the historic city of Forth Worth found a new nickname “Cow Town.” This was in wake of cowboys regularly stopping by the town for supplies as they herded their cattle to the Chisholm Trail from South Texas. Once the Texas and Pacific Railway got connected with Forth Worth, lots of business people in the area started setting up stock yards in an attempt to become a bigger part of the cattle industry. The Fort Worth Stock Yards were officially incorporated in 1883.

With this, local ranchers felt that they needed to attract more interest in their cattle from visitors to the area. A few years later, a simple conversation between a local rancher and the then marketing manager of Forth Worth Stock Yards led to the inaugural stock show being held in 1896. This event was held near the Marine Creek in an area that had no buildings or enclosures, just a few trees to provide some shade to the animals as well as the patrons.

Such was the success of this seemingly small event that the organizers of that first show got together again later in the year for a two-day event in October that coincided with the National Livestock Exchange Convention. After lots of discussions about an annual event of this sort, it was decided to organize the show in March every year after the majority of exhibitors preferred the spring time as it fit nicely within the schedule of a number of premier livestock shows taking place in various parts of the country.

By 1904, the citizens of Fort Worth had raised almost $50,000 to create a company whose sole purpose w to oversee the successful occurrence of this annual event. The festival was renamed as the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show. Lots of expansion took place during the period from 1908 to 1922 with new additions. These included a new indoor judging area, a midway, and a carnival among other stuff. Commercial displays also increased in number.

Stock Show and Rodeo

Around 1917, a local newspaper suggested that the event include a competition among both cowboys and cowgirls. A committee formed to define the new event, proposed using Spanish names for such competitions. After a few tweaks to the pronunciation, the name “rodeo” was adopted to refer to the event’s newest competition.

Different rodeo contests at the event included junior steer riding, ladies bronc riding, men’s bucking bronco, men’s steer riding, and a wild horse race. The majority of the contestants, both male and female, were performers from the Wild West Show. Other events like bull riding also became a part of the show over the years and decades.

The Modern Day Show

In 1978, the official name was changed to Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. Taking place between the months of January and February every year, the event lasts for about 23 days. It offers a midway/carnival, live music and great entertainment at the Rodeo Roadhouse. The event is also the home of the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo that showcases 36 professional rodeo performances every year. Other than that, there are commercial exhibits spread over four acres. You can enjoy all of this by getting your Forth Worth Stock Show Rodeo tickets.