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 in 2014. 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 17, 18, 20, 21 & 22 @ 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 8 exciting seconds! You’ll see a bunch of Who’s Who kiddos out there hold'n on for dear life. It’s great fun for the whole family. Wanna do this next year? You'll need THIS info.
All Western Parade – Saturday, January 18 @ 11:00 am World’s largest, all-western, non-motorized parade in downtown Fort Worth. Reserve your “bleacher style” seating by January 17 @ 8:00 pm HERE! Fort Worth Stock Show Official Parade Route HERE!
Celebrity Goat Milking Contest – Saturday, January 18 @ 6:00 pm
Local TV anchors, reporters and personalities compete for bragging rights during this hilarious competition you don’t want to miss, followed by the Goat Creative Costume Contest.
Best of Mexico Celebration – Sunday, January 19 @ 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 20
Cowboys of Color – Monday, January 20 @ 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 21
Anyone wearing Dickie’s apparel gets free general admission to the Stock Show grounds.
Bulls Night Out – Tuesday & Wednesday, January 21 & 22 @ 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, y'all officially fall into this category)
Kids Gone Wild – Sunday, January 26 @ 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 28
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 30
Don’t forget to wear your purple! Go Frogs!!!
Special student discount for this day only!
Military Day – Monday, February 3
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.
Cook Children's Day at the Stock Show - Wednesday, February 5
One half of rodeo tickets for both the 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. rodeo performances will be donated to Cook Children’s in support of the NCIU.
Tarrant County School Day (Grades Pre K-5) – Friday, February 8
Stock Show Bowl – Friday, February 7 @ 6 pm
Justin Arena
Varsity Equestrian Completion, TCU vs. Delaware State University
Finals Weekend – Friday & Saturday, February 7 & 8 @ 2:00 pm & 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 8 @ 9 am
A.K.A - Fort Worth Stock Show Sale of Champions.
Businesses from all over come to see and be seen as buyers 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 funds 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.
La Espuela Mexican Cantina - This Reata-run restaurant is open for just 3 weeks during the annual Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. If you miss this delicious fare, then you will have to wait a whole nutha year.
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 da 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. A dollar of that 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 red booths at the entry. They are competing for the honor of “most programs sold”. Programs 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 are pre-made and are kept under a heat lamp.
Free & Close Parking: Got membership? To the Modern, that is. Flash your membership card to the parking attendant and park in the museums lot, for FREE!
Do YOU have any insider tips? Email me at [email protected] and it just might be added to this list.
Off Grounds Entertainment
Whether you want to drink n’ dash or strap on a feed-bag, these are the BEST “Off Grounds” HOOTENANNY SPOTS (within close proximity) to see and be seen before and after the dirt flies:
- 1911 Bar – River Crest Country Club (members only)
- AF+B
- Bella Italia West
- Del Friscos
- Eddie V’s
- Fred’s Texas Cafe
- Lanny's Alta Cocina...one of my faves for a cocktail and nibble
- Michaels ...be sure and say "hi" to Michael. He was one of the chef's in our home for Kitchen's Tour!
- Rodeo Goat
- Waters...see everyone in their cowboy gear walking by the wall of glass outside the bar.
- 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 castrated!
- The Cantina Cadillac a.k.a. Cadillac Bar
- Cattlemen’s Steak House
- Filthy McNasty’s Saloon
- H3 Ranch
- Joe T Garcia'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
- 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
2014 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 Pass
All Cardholders:
HALF-OFF Wednesday Grounds Admission & Midway Coupons
The Moos-eum Experience
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Cattle Raisers Museum & 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. Nice perk, huh! Download voucher HERE.
iRodeo
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. Our super dear friends at Frank Kent Motor Company and Rodeo Goat are gonna make sure you have the time of your life!
Once you shop Frank Kent, I promise you there probably won't be a better experience at a dealership than this one. Frank Kent’s great-grandchildren carry on his legacy by remaining family-owned and operated, upholding the same standards of quality and ethics upon which the dealership was founded 79 years ago. Not only do they treat all of their customers like family, your going to feel like family after you check out their onsite wine boutique and BBQ grill retail shop, of course after you have enjoyed lunch at their onsite restaurant, Twin Creeks Cafe. Check out their latest and greatest wheelin n dealin on Facebook HERE!
And Rodeo Goat...well, they take burger making to a whole new level. It's a genuine Fort Worth burger joint on steroids! With names like Nanny Goat, Caca Oaxaca & the Hot Bastard, you know you're in for a real treat! For someone who is primarily a vegetarian like moi, they have the PERFECT veggie burger...TO. DIE. Like them on Facebook for all the latest and greatest specials RIGHT HERE!
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