The Stock Show’s in Town

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stock show 2015
Amused and awed.

You always know when the Stock Show is in town. Trailers carrying animals start to fill the city streets; bustling restaurants and shops all over town are full of patrons clad in cowboy boots; and the buzz coming from the Midway can be heard from as far south as the Fort Worth Zoo.

This year marks the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo’s 119th year and the annual event, according to Mayor Betsy Price, is expected to bring in 1.2 million visitors from near and far to town.

My little one loves everything about the Stock Show. He’s drawn to the animals, can’t wait to get on the rides, and doesn’t understand why it doesn’t stay in town all year long. We hear a constant, “When can I start riding a little pony?” And while I still need to check into pony lessons, here are a few things my family loves about the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo:

1. Admission to the Stock Show grounds is free with your membership to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. We renew our membership every year, and besides the annual trip to the Polar Express on the IMAX screen, this is the main reason. This way we can go several times and let my son get his fill. There are also other discounts to check out. For example, get one free admission with your NTTA tollgate on Tuesdays. Keep in mind, kids under 5 years old always get in free. (Remember that this is reciprocal: A stub to the FWSSR also gets you in to the museums across the way.)

2. The ducklings. Or the baby goats. Or the baby sheep. My son loves anything “little” and “baby” and animal. There are a couple of options for you and your kids can get up close and personal: The Bank of Texas Petting Zoo and Pony Rides is located in front of the Will Rogers Colliseum and offers the chance to feed, pet, and ride. The FFA Children’s Barnyard also gives an up-close and personal chance to see newly hatched/born baby animals.

3. You can smell the fried carnival food as soon as you walk in the gates. And it’s not every day you get an authentic carnie corn dog or funnel cake. My family takes advantage.

4. But there is a lot of local fare option as well. For several years now you’ve been able to enjoy a little bit of Sundance at the rodeo: Reata at the Rodeo offers a limited selection of the restaurant’s big hits (yes, including the tamales). And now you can order local brew: Rahr Texas Red is on tap.

5. The Midway. All the classic carnie rides are present . . . . and there are some for the little ones as well. Bumper cars, tea cups, slide races, and a carousal–the Midway at the FWSSR is a rite of passage for Fort Worth kids. And that “gentle giant” Ferris Wheel is a good ride for everyone in the family.

6. Mutton races are always a fan favorite, whether you’re a kid looking to get on one or a proud parent hoping for your little to hold on for a few seconds. What a ride. Well this year, mutton races of all mutton races were topped when a six-year-old Irving boy held on . . . and on . . . for 22 seconds! Expect to see this guy compete in the coming years.

7. Getting new boots. The tradition began as an accident, but each year I look forward to getting my son his new hat or boots. The selection of western wear in the exhibit hall is great. There is literally four acres of shopping on hand. Whether you’re getting something pretty from the Rhinestone Cowgirl; personalized stuff for the kids at Bunnies and Bows; or a new reasonably priced hat from Affordable Western Wear, we stock up. Plus, you can’t pass up taking a seat on one of those new-smell John Deeres.

8. Live music. The Coors Light Roadhouse is a new(er) tent located in front of the Will Rogers Coliseum and offers great live music. Local favorites and Texas legends alike, acts include Max Stalling, Brandon Rhyder, and freshly back from his competition on The Voice, homegrown favorite, Luke Wade.

9. The perfect stock show photo. You can pose with “little baby” farm animals outside of the Sheep barn (even I admit that I would love to hold one of those sweet baby goats), or you can climb bull at the Bull Pen photo op located among the wares in the Exhibit Hall. (It reminds me of the photos you take at Billy Bob’s, Texas, with fans cheering in the background.) Cost runs around $10 for a 4×6.

10. The rodeo itself. The first time I saw my toddler son sit in one place for almost two hours was at the rodeo a couple years ago. There’s lots of excitement to engage kids. Not only is there a rodeo in the Coliseum every night, but there are also free (with admission) events in the Justin Arena, including Paint Horse Cutting and “Fast Five” Team Roping.

 What are YOUR favorite Stock Show activities? Memories?

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Jennifer
Jennifer and her hubby, Michael agree that Fort Worth is the best place to have a family. For the past two decades Jennifer has been writing about her loves — music, food and Fort Worth — for local newspapers, magazines, websites and weeklies. This is her first opportunity to write about a new love, her son Will, and the influence his arrival has made on her view of the world … especially Fort Worth. Keeping him in mind, she has unlocked little treasures and adventures she didn’t know existed in this town and continues to discover great gems to share with her little one. She lives in the Cultural District with Michael, Will and her favorite girl — her lab, Tatum.

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