Hot damn, yeehaw yaawwll!!!! It’s Rodeo time, so "git yer western wear outa tha chester drawers and put yer $hitkickers on cuz we’re gawna be ridin’ high on a gravy train with biscuit wheels."
I’ve got the exclusive insider scoop on the BEST of the BEST. From grub n’ supper to belly washers and boot scoot’n …so grab yer podner n’ dosi do, come down yonder for a show that’s sure to make you chirk.
For the Daily Event Schedule and Special Activities, these are my top “In the Know” spots to see and be seen…these are the events you’ll want to attend and the places to be.
Mutton Bustin’ – January 18, 19, 22, 23 @ 7:30 pm Rodeo Performance This is a crowd favorite, fun-filled competition where a few lucky children climb on the back of a sheep and hold on for 6 exciting seconds! You’ll see a bunch of Who’s Who kiddos out there hold'n on for dear life. It’s hilarious fun!
All Western Parade – Saturday, January 19 @ 11:00 am
World’s largest, all-western, non-motorized parade in downtown Fort Worth.
Reserve your “bleacher style” seating by January 18 @ 8:00 pm HERE!
Fort Worth Stock Show Official Parade Route HERE!
Celebrity Goat Milking Contest – Saturday, January 19 @ 6:00 pm
Local TV anchors, reporters and personalities compete for bragging rights during this hilarious competition you don’t want to miss.
Best of Mexico Celebration – Sunday, January 20 @ 7:30 pm Hang out with your friends from across the border and experience centuries of Mexican tradition and artistry, from rodeo events to musical entertainment and dancing exhibitions.
Tarrant County School Day (Grades 6-12) – Monday, January 21
Cowboys of Color – Monday, January 21 @ 2:00 pm
Highlights the rich diversity and culture of rodeo and the western way of life from our friends across the pond!
Dickie’s Day Free Grounds Admission – Tuesday, January 22
Anyone wearing Dickie’s apparel gets free general admission to the Stock Show grounds.
Bulls Night Out – Tuesday & Wednesday, January 22 & 23 @ 7:30 pm
Bull riding to the extreme all night long! On both nights, 40 of the toughest PRCA Bull Riders will take a shot at an 8 second ride on some of the rankest bulls around to earn nightly championships.
Senior Citizen Days – EVERY FRIDAY
Old farts, blue-hairs and slow walkers age 65 and over will be admitted to the Stock Show grounds all day each Friday for just $5. (Mama & Papa D, you fall into this category)
Kids Gone Wild – Sunday, January 27 @ 11 am
This event will be brimming with educational exhibits, wildlife and outdoor activities for all your little cowpokes. Your kids won’t even know they’re learning while they’re engaged in all the exciting interactive activities!
Stock Show Goes Pink – Tuesday, January 29
Celebrate Breast Cancer Survivors. 50% of general admissions & rodeo ticket sales from this day’s events will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
TCU Day – Thursday, January 31
Don’t forget to wear your purple! Go Frogs!!!
Special student discount for this day only!
Military Day – Monday, February 4
Present your military ID (active or retired) at the rodeo ticket box office & receive free tickets for you and your immediate family for the 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm performances.
Tarrant County School Day (Grades Pre K-5) – Friday, February 8
Stock Show Bowl – Friday, February 8 @ 6 pm
Varsity Equestrian Completion, TCU vs. Baylor
Finals Weekend – Friday & Saturday, February 8 & 9 @ 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Not to be missed! It's the Who's Who of the FWSS. If you look carefully in the stands, you can spot celebrities from George Strait (his son rodeos), Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall, just to name a few during Finals Weekend.
Syndicate Sale – Saturday, February 9 at 9 am
A.K.A - Fort Worth Stock Show Sale of Champions
Business from all over come to see and be seen as a buyer of some pretty pricey meat The top 200+ placing livestock will be sold. Everyone is there for a good time and to help raise money for scholarship fund for the kiddos who raise the steers. I hear the grand champ steer being sold that day will go for more than $200,000.00. (BTW, any guy wearing a bigass metal lapel pin is a Syndicate member)
As for the BEST places to go "yonder to get your fixin’s and bug juice" during the Stock Show, you don’t want to miss any of the following:
Reata at the Backstage Club – MEMBERS ONLY
The. Place. To. Be…bar none!!! With a pared-down Reata menu and full bar, this is the best place to get a pre- or post-rodeo belly washer and side of calf fries. You’ll see all the regulars, and even some of the rodeo cowboys will hang out there too!
For more information on how to become a member, click HERE.
Reata at the Rodeo –
A full-service restaurant offering both lunch and dinner, Reata at the Rodeo features many of the legendary western menu items from its downtown location.
Coors Rodeo Roadhouse – Live music venue
If you’re a boot-scooter, 2-stepper, break dancer or you just flat out Gangnam Style it, this is the best “Club in tha house"! You’ll be "wore out , road hard & put up wet" by the time you leave this joint! Admission is free with your daily grounds ticket, souvenir pin, or that day’s rodeo ticket.
Check out the entertainment line up HERE
Rodeo "Insider" tips
Rodeo Programs: Junior League of Fort Worth sells Rodeo programs for $3, $1 of it goes to Junior League and back into the community through various projects. Before you go into the Rodeo, stop and get a program from the gals who are yelling "PROGRAM" standing behind the booths at the entry. They are competing for the honor of “most programs sold”. They are good pre-Rodeo entertainment so we ALWAYS buy up more than we need and give the extras to someone who might be on the fence about spending extra money.
Funnel Cake: If you LOVE fresh funnel cakes, be sure to purchase one outside. A “no open grease” city ordinance means the cakes inside can’t be made fresh and are kept under a heat lamp.
Do YOU have any insider tips? Email me at [email protected] and it might be added to this list.
Whether you want to drink n’ dash or strap on a feed-bag, these are the BEST “OFF GROUNDS” HOOTENANNY SPOTS (within close proximity) before and after the dirt flies:
1911 Bar – River Crest Country Club (members only)
Bella Italia West
Del Friscos
Eddie V’s
Fred’s Texas Cafe
Michaels
Rodeo Goat
Winslow’s Wine Cafe
Woodshed Smokehouse
…and pretty much anything in the So7 area
For a seriously authentic and nostalgic dining, dancing and drinking experience (especially during this time of the year), yonder over to the North Side for a visit to the Stockyards. Here is a list of the hottest places to see some real cowboy action. These joints will put “HICK” to a whole new meaning, so don’t act like a Skipjack or you might get popped!
Cadillac Bar
Cattlemen’s Steak House
Filthy McNasty’s Saloon
H3 Ranch
Joe T’s
Lonesome Dove Western Bistro
Love Shack
Thirsty Armadillo
White Elephant Saloon
…just to name a few
Now, before you run out and get stupid with the giggle juice all over town, you better dress up like the Howdy Queen and King. Here are my picks to git yer Western on:
Fincher’s White Front Western Wear
Justin Boots - see the latest styles and a behind-the-scenes video of the magazine's January fwStyle photo shoot with Jamie Morgan, president of Justin Brands
Luskey’s
Maverick Fine Western Wear
Peter Bros Hats
Spoiled Pink – coolest embroidered boots & belts in stock
Teskey’s
Teskey’s Uptown – where Rock’n Roll meets Cowboy Soul
Great money saving tips
2013 Star-Telegram Press Pass
Press Pass Discounts:
$2 off adult grounds admission every day (regularly $10)
$6 off weekday Matinee Rodeo Performances (regularly $19)
Gold Press Pass Holders Receive:
$10 off ALL $19 Performances (savings of 53%)
Limit (4) discounts per valid Press Pass
All Cardholders:
HALF-OFF Wednesday Grounds Admission & Midway Coupons
The Moos-eum Experience
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Cattle Raisers Museum, & the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame all have something in common -
Receive free admission to these venues with your Stock Show grounds admission ticket. PLUS, members of these museums get free admission to the Stock Show grounds. Download voucher here. Nice perk, huh!
And here’s a whole ‘nuther thang. Yawl be doin’ aw’ right when you add the RODEO APP to your smart phone. This unique app is filled with all kinds of bells, whistles, and games too! It's a MUST HAVE! I LOVE IT!
RODEO GIVEAWAY!!!
In a nutshell, this is what Fort Worth is all about during this time of the year. Stock Show, Rodeo, good times, good friends and philanthropy, all in a day’s work. Now, don’t let the door hit ‘cha where the good Lord split ‘cha before I share one of the coolest giveaways ever. The ULTIMATE Rodeo Experience! (value: PRICELESS)
Private Rodeo Box for Sunday, February 3rd @ 7:30 pm (4 tickets) – donated by JoEllen & Jim Cashion/American Health
VIP parking pass – donated by JoEllen & Jim Cashion/American Health
$50 VISA Gift Card – donated by Lance Cashion/ Cashion Financial, LLC Reata at the Backstage Club (4 passes) - donated by Mike Micallef/Reata
You can enter to win this extraordinary Fort Worth experience by:
- Subscribing to my blog (on right side, below IS YOUR CHILD SAFE?). If you receive this blog via email, then you are already subscribed.
- Share this post on Facebook (link at top above my pic).
- Leave a comment below. (Winner will be announced in the comment section NEXT FRIDAY @ 5:00 pm) You must contact me within 24 hours to redeem your prize, or I will have to draw another winner! xoxo
(BTW, IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE LEAVING A COMMENT, YOU CAN EMAIL IT TO [email protected] AND I WILL POST IT FOR YOU...working on a glitch in the system)
THANK YOU TO ALL MY “INSIDERS” J.T., R.P., J.L., M.H., A.L., L.M. & L.C. FOR GREAT AND ACCURATE INFO FOR THIS BLOG! LOVE Y’ALL! xoxo
