Top Ten Reasons to Look Forward to Next Year's National Western Stock Show

In 2009 they may not be picking another donkey for the Democrats, but many people return to the National Western Stock Show year after year for a variety of reasons. On the last weekend of the show, I talked with a visitor from the south of England who first came to Denver's largest annual convention purely to learn about the latest in the cattle business, but now he returns for that, the show's entertainment, and a great vacation in the Denver area - even a visit to the casinos in the mountains. Here are some other reasons why you'll be dreaming of rodeos and cattle judging next winter:

10. The anti-snoring remedy that's "guaranteed to work," sold in the expo hall.

There are hats, furs, belt buckles and souvenirs, lotions, remedies and more. But what other than the common cold needs a cure more than snoring?

9. Telling friends you saw the Champion Steer visit the Brown Palace Hotel just so you can give your "that's no bull!" punchline.

As you'll learn at the show, a steer is a male bull without his "equipment." Check out the Pro Bull Riding events to see why the Brown Palace doesn't invite a bull.

8. Where else can you get carnival food in winter?

Part of a good balanced diet - a few times a year. Food from a truck is rare in winter, but at National Western you can find your fried, barbecued, and brewed and distilled specialties to enjoy as you walk around the yards.

7. Tractors and Trucks!

Even if you have no earthly use for them, tractors and trucks are cool. The National Western Stock Show has lots of 'em, and this year Toyota was showing off their long-haul "project truck" with three video screens and diesel power to pull 24,000 pounds which was making a big impression with truck fans and trailer pullers alike.

6. Valentine's gifts

Next year, class up your act and get some sweet smelling creams and lotions from the vendors at the stock show. Some grow their own ingredients, like the lavender vendor this year, and others sell lines that are hard to get unless you know who to call. Besides, you can try them or even bring her and make notes as you go around!

5. Watching 80-pound kids wrangle 300 pound animals

Nothing builds a girl's self confidence more than bossing around a heifer three times her size. Those kids are amazing, and you can just imagine how much work they put into raising their animals.

4. Yak burger free samples!

Outside the stock show grounds, people were talking about the yak burger. Some guys were hoping that they could eat hamburger again without a health lecture! Just gotta leave off the mayo, maybe.

3. Listening to the auctioneer at the steer sale and trying to talk that fast to your wife

I bet the auctioneer has 12 kids, and learned to talk that fast just to keep them all in line. And the prices he calls out! $140,000 for a steer?

2. Hearing your kids say "wow" all day long, and saying it some yourself

The National Western Stock Show really goes all-out to put on a show, with rodeos, festival displays, an incredible amount of entertainment. The exhibits, educational hall and stock yards, the judging and horse shows are all amazing as well, and there is a lot of skill and even technology on display.

1. Mutton Bustin'!

Like Pro Bull Riding but with kids and sheep, and everyone who tries gets a trophy. One of the most popular events at the show, says National Western, and it's no wonder!

See you next year at the 2009 National Western Stock Show!

Sources:
National Western Stock Show Souvenir Program
www.nationalwestern.com