FW Stock Show and Rodeo

A few months ago my dad called and asked if we wanted to go to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.  I had never been, but thought it sounded like a good way to spend a Saturday.

Fast forward to yesterday, and the day had finally come.  We were a man down because Maddie didn't feel good, but the rest of us piled in the minivan and went to Cowtown.  We parked right by the midway, and the guy talked Boom into winning a stuffed animal for J. 
By the way, are carnies not some of the strangest people ever?!



Our next stop was at the petting zoo, where Jackson fed a few llamas and then petted some goats...



and even a few really large rabbits!  There was also a Scottish Highlander Cow in there that acted exactly like a dog.  We rubbed his soft neck and head just like we were petting Sadie.  Now if we ever run into one of those while touring Scotland, we'll know exactly what to do!

After we finished with the animals, we headed inside to the exhibits.  The tractor one was definitely one of the most intriguing to Jackson.  Something about the wheels being taller than him just makes him smile:)

After all that walking, it was time for some lunch. We heard the BBQ was good, so we went for that.  Let me just say, there is no need for anyone to ever be scared of going hungry at the FWSSR. 
There was an insane amount of food available at this event.  In every building.  Outside.  Inside.  Restaurants. Fast food.  Snacks.  Big meals. 
Ok, I'm starting to remind myself of a Dr. Seuss book, but you get the point. 

My mom's cousin, J.D., has been in charge of all the animals for the rodeo for the past 15 years or so.  We were lucky enough to hook up with him before the next rodeo began.  He and his daughter gave us a behind the scenes tour and it was really cool.  Here we are on the rodeo arena floor.

We also got to see lots of the rodeo horses and even the bulls, who looked meaner than the dickens!  This was the closest that we could get to them--it was a little dark back there, but they are all behind Jackson just giving us the stink eye!

We had a few more minutes to kill before we sat down to watch the rodeo, so we went over to see the cows.  We were looking for the cow milking station, but they were on break, so we just hung out with these guys who were having a mid-afternoon hay snack.

By the time we got to our seats and got situated it was time for the Grand Entry.  JD's daughter has grown up around the rodeo, so she got to ride in it!  Very cool.

There were 12 events, but the calf scramble was one of the most entertaining ones.  There were high schoolers running around and trying to catch these calves, who were making them look so scrawny and uncoordinated.  It took a while for about half of them to catch their calf and get it to walk back into the that white square. 

Another really cool event were these trick horse riders.  A family tradition...their dad and granddad were both trick riders in the rodeo in years past.  Now it's the sister (15 years old) and her three brothers, the youngest of which is only 8!  And they were good!  They did flips on and around the horses and hung upside down and all kind of crazy things.

Cowboy Jack enjoyed the show very much and even wore his new hat for some of the last event--bull riding!   He was very entertained by the clowns and loved watching those ornery bulls.  And JD was right.  Those bulls were particularly mean.  One of them refused to leave the arena and had to get roped and led out.  Hmmm...maybe I should keep a lasso around the house.  
I know a few kids who get a little ornery every now and then, too.  It could come in quite handy!