KEY Magazine Fort Worth

The 109th Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Show & Rodeo
at Will Rogers Memorial Complex

The 2005 Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Show & Rodeo will run from January 14 through February 6. The 24-day event showcases Western Heritage, family entertainment, world-class rodeo action and the nation's oldest livestock show. The first stock show took place in north Fort Worth on the banks of Marine Creek in March of 1896. It was 1944 when the Stock Show moved to Will Rogers Memorial Center. The Will Rogers Equestrian Center opened in 1988.

This year's All Western Parade will begin at 11 a.m. Jan. 15, in Downtown Fort Worth.

As usual, the Stock Show has a fast-paced, exciting format, planned with something to appeal to everyone. The Stock Show kicks off with the popular Ranching Heritage Weekend, presented by Western Horseman, which includes the debut of the AQHA Best of the Remuda Sale on January 14, followed by two action-packed performances of the “Best of the West” Invitational Ranch Rodeo January 14 and 15, with an Invitational Ranch Horse Show and Sale set for January 16.

Visitors to the 2005 show will also have an opportunity to experience our Hispanic heritage during the “Best of Mexico Celebración” with Jerry Diaz, a fourth-generation charro. This professional production promises colorful special exhibitions of roping, bull riding, Folklorico dancing, Mariachi music and other centuries-old Mexican traditions. “We are proud to honor the diversity of our Western Heritage,” says W.R. Watt, Jr., President and General Manager of the Show. These family oriented performances are set for January 16 at 7:30 p.m. with a special holiday matinee scheduled for January 17 at 2:00 p.m. Coors Light, State Farm Bank and Telemundo are the sponsors for these unique performances.

January 18 and 19 you can enjoy two power-packed performances of the PRCA sanctioned “Bull's Night Out”- the Fort Worth Stock Show's extreme bull riding, sponsored by Centex Construction Company. Thirty-five of the world's leading bull riders will be on hand for this energetic event, competing for each nightly championship.

A visit to the Fort Worth Stock Show would not be complete without attending one of the 30 thrilling performances of the Worlds' Original Indoor Rodeo. In addition to the excitement of traditional rodeo events, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA)-sanctioned event will feature the fast-paced GMC Chuck Wagon Races, Coors Cowtown Cutting and the popular Calf Scramble, courtesy of Mrs. Baird's Bakeries and Justin Boots. The PRCA Rodeo runs January 21 through February 6 in Will Rogers Coliseum. In 1918, “when the rodeo was added to the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show,” the number of show goers increased significantly. The Northside Coliseum hosted the event during that time. Tickets for this year's Rodeo are $20 for Friday nights and all weekend performances, and $16 for Monday through Thursday nights and Monday through Friday matinees.

During the 2005 event, more than 20,000 head of livestock will be on exhibit for the 24-day run of the Show, including dairy cattle, Longhorns, Llamas, poultry, sheep, swine, Nigerian Dwarf goats, and some rabbits. Stock Show shoppers will have 200 commercial exhibits, featuring the latest in farm and ranch equipment, western wear, and many other displays of interest, to browse and shop.

Join the fun at the 109th edition of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. For rodeo tickets call the Stock Show ticket office at 817-877-2420 or TicketMaster at 972-647-5700 or visit www.fwssr.com.

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