Learn about the ten most popular agricultural shows organised in the United States.
Agricultural Show # 1. American Royal:
The American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri is a livestock show, horse show and rodeo held each year in October and November at Kemper Arena. The Future Farmers of America were found during the Royal and Kansas City’s professional baseball team – the Kansas City Royals derive their name from the Royal.
The American Royal began as a cattle show in 1899 in the Kansas City Stockyards. The name “American Royal” was inspired by a 1901 editorial in beef industry publication Kansas City Drovers Telegram entitled “Call It the American Royal.” The editorial noted the Royal Agricultural Society in England has a similar event called the Royal Show.
The first American Royal horse show was added in 1907, and has grown to include five shows (Quarter Horse, Hunter- Jumper Horse, Arabian Horses, American Saddlebred and a 4-H show).
In 1926, the American Royal invited vocational agriculture students to judge livestock. During the 1928 American Royal, 33 of the students meeting at the Baltimore Hotel in downtown Kansas City formed the Future Farmers of America. The group proceeded to hold a convention every year during the Royal in Kansas City until 1998.
The original home of the American Royal was destroyed by fire on Valentine’s Day in 1925. The structure was rebuilt in time for the event that year and served as the center for events until the American Royal complex was built across from Kemper Arena in 1992. During World War II, the Royal complex was converted into a glider factory.
Events:
The American Royal is an annual eight-week season of barbecue competition, rodeos, livestock shows, equestrian events and agricultural activities benefiting youth and education. The barbecue contest is divided into several categories – brisket, pork ribs, pork shoulder, chicken, sausage, side dishes and dessert.
The American Royal, one of Kansas City’s premier fall events with annual economic impact of more than $62 million, hosts the world’s largest barbecue contest, one of the Midwest’s largest livestock exhibitions, one of the top five ranked rodeos in the nation and is home of the national championship horse competition.
Organization:
The American Royal is a not-for-profit, community volunteer-based service organization which raises funds to fulfill its vision & mission through endowments contributions, sponsorships and event revenues.
In 2005, the organization contributed more than $1.3 million in financial support in the form of scholarships, educational awards, educational programs, community donations, competitive awards and prize monies and premiums.
Agricultural Show # 2. Clay County Fair:
The Clay County Fair is held every September in Spencer, Iowa. It is the largest county fair in the state of Iowa. It has the second largest agricultural exposition in North America. Bringing in over 310,000 visitors a year, the Clay County Fair is one of the largest county fairs in the United States. Beginning in 1918, the fair has grown considerably over the past near century.
In its first year the Clay County Fair brought in 30,000 guests. In 1936 the fair completed the construction of its second grandstand, able to seat over 7,500 people, which it still uses today. During the 1930s the fair continued construction of agricultural buildings for livestock. The Clay County Fair has firmly planted itself as the largest Midwest county fair.
The fair also hosts a carnival of over 80 rides and attractions. There are also many businesses that have booths all over the fair. It consists of over 3 city blocks of space, and continues to fill up the space tighter and tighter every year.
Some familiar people/groups who have visited and/or performed at the Clay County Fair are – President George W. Bush, Sen. John Kerry, former Vice President Al Gore, Bob Hope, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Cash, Tim McGraw, Kenny Rogers, Lee Ann Womack, Martina McBride, REO Speedwagon, The Righteous Brothers, Plus One, Clay Aiken, ZZ Top, LeAnn Rimes, Brad Paisley, Lee Greenwood, Bill Cosby, Red Skelton, Jim Nabors, Lonestar, Grand Funk Railroad, Garth Brooks, Survivor, Trisha Yearwood, Heart and Foreigner. On September 15, 2007, Aly and AJ played there for the first time in Iowa.
With the completion of the Clay County Regional Events Center inside the fairground walls, new opportunities have opened. Some of these are indoor concerts. With seating up to 3,400 people, the events center has hosted The Barnum and Bailey Circus, and the Lipizzan Stallions. It also has a large ballroom/dining room capable of seating up to 400 people, just creating even more opportunities to flourish and grow.
The Fair has just completed another project in 2007. The Race Track was modified into a 3/8 track. The previous track was a large, flat, half-mile oval that was generally used for horse racing. In order to host high-quality auto racing events, the fair deemed it necessary to construct a completely new racetrack.
It was converted to a 3/8 mile clay track, with increased corner banking to adjust for the higher speeds of auto racing. Additionally, a state-of-the-art lighting system was installed to make the races more visible for both drivers and fans.
In 2008, the racing schedule featured the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) hosting two classes of racing; Modifieds and Stock Cars. Those races also included Hobby Stocks and 360 Modifieds. July 4th, the World Dirt Racing League (WDRL) also hosted a Late Model Series and 360 Sprints on the track. The season rounded out with an appearance by the World of Outlaws during the 2008 Clay County Fair and another race with IMCA Modifieds and Stock Cars, with Hobby Stocks and 360 Modifieds.
Agricultural Show # 3. Farm Progress Show:
In 1953, Prairie Farmer teamed with WLS Radio in Chicago to host a field day where farmers could see first-hand progress being made in farming equipment, along with seed varieties and ag chemicals.
In subsequent years, the show evolved to include seed test plots and field demonstrations. The show typically was held annually at different sites in Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. As the event grew, it became apparent that temporary sites were inadequate to handle the large crowds and exhibits.
The Farm Progress Show is the U.S.’s largest outdoor farm show. In 2005, a permanent biennial exhibit site was constructed near Decatur, Illinois which hosted its inaugural show in 2005. For the 2007 show, the site was expanded and upgraded with asphalt paved streets.
The Decatur site is one of two permanent biennial sites constructed to host the show. Boone, Iowa, was selected for the show’s second permanent biennial site. In 2008 the show site hosted its first show at its newly constructed permanent biennial facility. The show now alternates between these two permanent sites on an annual basis.
The Boone site is developed on about 600 acres (2.4 km2) at the intersection of U.S. Highway 30 and Iowa Highway 17, while the Decatur show site includes 640 acres (2.6 km2) of exhibits and field demonstrations.
The Farm Progress Show is the oldest and largest outdoor agricultural equipment exhibition in the United States with more than 500 exhibitors. Farm Progress Companies does not release attendance figures, but the Decatur Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates attendance of at least 150,000 for three days of the 2007 show.
In 1959, ABC Broadcasting/Paramount Theaters bought the Farm Progress Group – Prairie Farmer, Wallaces Farmer and the Wisconsin Agriculturist.
In 1986, ABC merged with Capital Cities and in 1996 the Disney Company purchased Capital Cities/ABC. In 1997, the Disney Company sold the Farm Progress Companies to Rural Press. Rural Press merged with Fairfax in 2007.
Farm Progress Companies is owned by Fairfax Media, an Australian media company based in New South Wales.
Agricultural Show # 4. Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show:
The Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, known commonly as the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo are the oldest continual running livestock show and rodeo. It has been held annually in Fort Worth, Texas since 1896. In 1918, the Stock Show held the world’s first indoor rodeo, and in subsequent years has been responsible for several milestones in the sport of rodeo. A non-profit organization, the Stock Show provided over $1.6 million in grants and scholarships from 2000 to 2006.
Origins:
The city of Fort Worth was nicknamed “Cow town” shortly after the Civil War, as cowboys stopped for supplies in the town while herding their cattle from South Texas to the Chisholm Trail. After the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railway in 1876, various business people in the town began erecting stock yards in an effort to become a greater part of the cattle industry. In 1883, the Fort Worth Stockyards were officially incorporated.
Local ranchers wished to facilitate interest in their cattle. A conversation between rancher Charles McFarland and Charles French, marketing manager for the Fort Worth Stock Yards, resulted in the first area stock show in 1896. This event was the first of what would eventually become known as the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show.
The stock show was held along Marine Creek, in a location with no buildings or enclosures, and only a few trees to provide shade for the animals and patrons. Early-day cattle exhibitors and organizers were all Texans – Capt. William S. Ikard of Henrietta, a breeder of Herefords; I. K. Kimberlin of Sherman; Col. J. W. Burgess of Fort Worth, a Shorthorn breeder, and Col. B. C. Rhome of Denton and Wise Counties.
These men were joined enthusiastically by operators of the Fort Worth Stock Yards Company, which was organized in 1893; Armour & Company and Swift & Company, meat packers; and officials of the various railway companies serving Fort Worth.
That first show was such a success that organizers gathered again in the fall of 1896 for a two-day event in October to coincide with the National Livestock Exchange Convention meeting. A parade opened the fail show. Most exhibitors preferred the spring dates, so the Show was established as a March event, to fit in with a series of major livestock shows held around the country, establishing a regular circuit for exhibitor herds.
The following year, the event was given a name, the Texas Fat Stock Show. Tents were erected for the animals, and visitors were charged a twenty-five cent fee to view the livestock.
Local ranchers promoted the show to northern meat packers in the hopes of improving the local livestock industry. The citizens of Fort Worth raised $50,000 and formed a company in 1904 to oversee the event. Under the group’s second president, Samuel Burk Burnett, the annual show was renamed the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show.
During his term, which lasted from 1908-1922, the event dramatically expanded. The North Side Coliseum (now called Cow town Coliseum) was built in 1908 to house the event. The new indoor judging arena created expanded interest in the Stock Show, and a carnival and midway were soon added. Commercial exhibit displays also increased in number, and exhibitors travelled from several surrounding states to participate.
Rodeo:
A local newspaper editor, Ray McKinley, suggested in 1917 that the event incorporates a competition among cowboys and cowgirls. Stock Show president Marion Sansom appointed a committee of men who were involved with the cattle and horse industry to define the new event. A member of the commission suggested using the Spanish name for these types of competitions, rodeo. Although the proposer used the Spanish pronunciation of “roh-day-oh”, after seeing the word written the committee chose to use a different pronunciation, “roh-dee-oh”, to refer to the new competition.
The contest was approved and was added to the stock Show calendar of events primarily because North Side Coliseum was the only arena with a capacity to accommodate the production and crowds expected. The 1918 Fort Worth Rodeo is considered as the world’s first indoor rodeo.
It consisted of a total of twelve performances, two per day for six days. Contests included ladies bron riding, junior steer riding, men’s steer riding, men’s bucking bronco, and a wild horse race—catch-as-catch-can with no saddle or bridle. The contestants were primarily Wild West Show performers, both male and female, who vied for a $3,000 prize. An estimated 23,000 people attended these first indoor rodeo events.
In 1927, the Stock Show introduced the first side release chutes for bucking horses and bulls, a development that is now a standard for the sport. As opposed to the earlier front- gate chutes, the side release allows the animal and rider into the arena when the gate opens. The chute has been termed as the safest method yet devised for protection of both cowboy and animal.
The Fort Worth Stock Show was also the first to feature Brahma bull riding. This contest originated in 1933, and is now one of the five major events in the sport worldwide. Bull riding is considered to be “the most dangerous and surely the most exciting event of rodeos.”
In 1932, NBC produced the first live broadcast of a rodeo as local station WBAP broadcast. During World War II, the Fort Worth Stock Show introduced the first “half-time” rodeo performance, as Gene Autry made an appearance. This type of performance is now standard at rodeos across the United States, and many times the degree of success of a rodeo has been determined by audience acceptance of entertainment specials.
In 1958, the Fort Worth Stock Show also became the first to have live television coverage of a complete rodeo performance, as 8 million viewers tuned in to ABC to see guest stars including Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.
Further Expansion:
The event took a hiatus in 1943, when all available facilities in Fort Worth, as well as transportation modes, were dedicated to the World War II effort. The following year, the exposition moved to the Will Rogers Memorial Center on the west side of the city. Four years later the event was moved to January and February, and it drew 250,000 people.
Since moving to the Will Rogers Memorial Center, the Stock Show has taken the lead in improving the facility. The Stock Show governing committee has made it a policy to deed all improvements to the city of Fort Worth. Among the improvements are the construction of ten all-weather livestock barns, three multipurpose commercial exhibits buildings, heating and air conditioning in the coliseum, auditorium and exhibits areas, and paved and lighted parking facilities.
Modern Event:
The name was changed again in 1978, to the current Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. It is now held every year at the end of January and the beginning of February. The rodeo is the longest-running in the United States, displaying twenty-eight performances in seventeen days. In addition, the exposition offers a carnival, a petting zoo, and commercial exhibits from across the country.
In 2007, the event, which lasts three weeks, drew over 22,000 animals from more than 40 states and several foreign countries. Over 900,000 people attended, representing more than 80 foreign countries as well as most U.S. states.
Eighty-five percent of the show’s events take place in the climate-controlled coliseum, helping to reduce the effect of the weather on attendance. On average, the modern Stock Show has an economic impact of over $100 million for the Fort Worth area.
Initial Stock Show prizes consisted of gifts donated by Fort Worth area merchants. While this practice continues to some extent, the Show’s annual profits, plus tremendous support from numerous breed associations, provide cash for premiums in the various departments. In recent years, over three-quarters of a million dollars have been paid out to prize winners in the livestock show and rodeo events.
Charitable Works:
The Stock Show is incorporated as a non-profit organization, with the goal of creating “an educational showcase for the great livestock industry.” Between 2000 and 2006, the Stock Show provided over $1.6 million in educational grants. Apart from grants to Texas 4-H Club and FFA Chapter members, the Stock Show has also established endowed scholarships at Texas Christian University and Texas Tech University.
The scholarships at TCU benefit students in the Ranch Management Program, while those at Texas Tech benefit students in the school’s animal science or agricultural economics programs. An additional $4,000 grant is given annually to a student in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University.
The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce a few years ago honored the Show with its “Spirit of Enterprise Award.” The Stock Show received praise for “helping to build a modern Fort Worth, boosting agribusiness education with grants and scholarships, and demonstrating a strong spirit of enterprise.” Based on a recent survey, the Stock Show generates an economic impact in excess of $100 million for the Fort Worth area.
Agricultural Show # 5. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo:
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, also called Rodeo Houston, is the world’s largest livestock exhibition as well as the richest regular-season PRCA rodeo event, held at Reliant Park in Houston, Texas, USA. In 2010, attendance reached a record high of 2.2 million, requiring more than 22,000 volunteers.
In 2007, the Rodeo was deemed “the year of the volunteer”. The event is 20 days long. It is kicked off by the Downtown Rodeo Roundup held near Houston City Hall, the Downtown Rodeo parade and the ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run – 5k walk & run and the World’s Championship Bar-B-Cue Contest.
The Show features championship Rodeo action including bull riding, livestock judging, concerts, a carnival, pig racing, barbecue and the Rodeo Uncorked International Wine Competition, shopping, sales and livestock auctions.
Traditional trail rides, which start in different areas of Texas and end in Houston, precede the Rodeo events. The City of Houston celebrates this event with Go Texan Days, where residents are encouraged to dress in western wear for the duration of the Show.
The rodeo has drawn some of the world’s biggest stars and music legends, including Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Brooks & Dunn, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Selena, ZZ Top & Lynyrd Skynyrd, among others.
The wide variety of entertainment at The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has proven to be a popular feature of the event, as it caters to a multitude of tastes. Previous performers include country, rock, blues, Tejano, and pop musicians, stand-up comedians, and even actors.
Go Texan Day:
The Friday before the Parade is also known as “Go Texan Day,” where the entire population of Houston is encouraged to dress in Western attire, such as jeans, cowboy boots, and cowboy hats. While the concept was discussed in 1938 by the General Manager of the Houston Chamber of Commerce, it wasn’t until the 1950s that it finally was put into practice. In 1954, Archer Romero chaired the first Go Texan Committee to encourage what would later become a Houston tradition during the rodeo.
Rodeo Parade:
In 1937, planning had begun for the first Rodeo Parade leading up to the 1938 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The first parade was headed by Mounted Police and various dignitaries on the city, county, and state levels, who also rode horseback. There were two bands with a Drum and Bugle Corp.
In 1952, the Salt Grass Trail ride was the first trail ride that was formed by only a few men. The following year, the publicity from that ride attracted more people to join.
All of the Trail Riders converge on Memorial Park to camp out for the night before heading down Memorial Drive to where it empties out onto Texas Ave to line up for the parade.
The parade has approximately 115 different groups joining in the festivities. There are 15 trail rides, 20 floats, 15 commercial wagons and stagecoaches, and 10 to 15 university and high-school marching bands in addition to Show officials, other elected officials and dignitaries on horseback and in vehicles.
Trail Rides:
The Trail Rides (cavalcades) are a long tradition with the rodeo and gather at Memorial Park to camp for a rest and party before the big Annual Rodeo Parade through Downtown Houston.
(i) Salt Grass Trail Ride – 85-mile (137 km) ride from Cat Spring, Texas, established in 1952
(ii) Sam Houston Trail Ride – 66-mile (106 km) ride from Montgomery, Texas, established in 1955
(iii) Old Spanish Trail Ride – 216-mile (348 km) ride from Logansport, Louisiana, established in 1956
(iv) Prairie View Trail Ride – 102-mile (164 km) ride from Sunnyside, Texas, established in 1957
(v) Valley Lodge Trail Ride – 72-mile (116 km) ride from Brookshire, Texas, established in 1959
(vi) The Spanish Trail Ride – 112-mile (180 km) ride from Coldspring, Texas, established in 1961
(vii) Texas Independence Trail Ride – 92-mile (148 km) ride from Brazoria, Texas, established in 1961
(viii) Los Vaqueros Rio Grande Trail Ride – 386-mile (621 km) ride from Hidalgo, Texas, established in 1973
(ix) Southwestern Trail Ride – 100-mile (160 km) ride from Brazoria, Texas, established in 1974
(x) Northeastern Trail Ride – 108-mile (174 km) ride from Beaumont, Texas, established in 1982
(xi) Texas Cattlemen’s Trail Ride – 85-mile (137 km) ride from Anderson, Texas, established in 1986
(xii) The Mission Trail Ride – 210-mile (340 km) ride from San Antonio, Texas, established in 1990
(xiii) Southwest Trail Ride – 120-mile (190 km) ride from Rosenberg, Texas, established in 1993
World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest:
The World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, also simply known as “The Cookoff,” started in 1974 and has consistently drawn massive attendance numbers for the three-day event, drawing 217,640 visitors in 2009. It takes place on the southern parking lot of Reliant Stadium, with over 250 teams participating every year, and is generally considered a “Hot Ticket,” as most are for members or by invitation only. While the event is open to the general public, those that can get into the tents are generally allowed an unlimited amount of food and beverages.
The Calf Scramble:
Since the addition of the event in 1942, it has been one of the more popular events during the actual rodeo. The event features 14 calves and 28 students who must try to capture one of the calves, put a harness on it and bring it back into the “winners square” in order to claim the win. One of the rules is that as long as a contestant is actually in the act of holding the calf (i.e. holding it by the tail) to get the harness on, no other participant may interfere unless the calf wriggles itself free. It’s at this point where the calf is fair game once again. The event is held nightly between major events in the Reliant Stadium.
Each of the students who catch a calf is awarded a $1,250 certificate to purchase a registered beef heifer. Raising and showing this heifer becomes a yearlong project as the scrambler sees to the grooming, feeding and care of the animal.
The exhibitor returns to the Houston Livestock Show the following year for a special competition. Calf Scramble exhibitors receive a $250 bonus when they return to compete with their heifer, totaling their $1,500 certificate.
Transportation:
With a daily average attendance of the Rodeo of about 50,000 people, the city’s transportation infrastructure is taxed as it must also compete with regular Houston Rush Hour on regular business days. There are a variety of ways into and out of the complex that include Park and Ride lots in certain parts of the city that are provided by the event as an express straight onto the property, Taxi, Self-Parking, and METRO Rail. The Coordinators of the event try to persuade attendees to use public transportation as the most convenient way to and from the Rodeo.
Milestones:
1931 – First established as The Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition.
1932 – First Show is held at the Sam Houston Hall.
1938 – Moved to new location: Sam Houston Coliseum.
1942 – First star entertainer: Gene Autry, “the Singing Cowboy”; calf scramble event added to the Show’s rodeo.
1952 – First trail ride (Salt Grass Trail Ride) commences from Brenham, Texas.
1957 – First major educational scholarship ($2,000) awarded to Ben Dickerson.
1961 – Name changes to Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
1966 – New location: Astrodome complex; Astrohall built for Livestock Exposition.
1970 – Research program launched committing $100,000 annually in support of research studies at various universities and colleges in Texas
1974 – The first World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. Elvis Presley sets attendance record of 43,944. On his second show, on the same day, he breaks his own record drawing 44,175, for a one-day record 88,119
1975 – The Astroarena is completed.
1977 – Four-year scholarships increased from $4,000 to $6,000.
1983 – Four-year scholarships increased from $6,000 to $8,000.
1989 – Scholarship program expands to Houston metropolitan area.
1992 – Four-year scholarships upgraded from $8,000 to $10,000 retroactive to all students currently on scholarship.
1993 – Latin superstar Selena breaks attendance record at the Astrodome by drawing a crowd of exactly 57,894 fans.
1994 – Latin superstar Selena sets another attendance record at the Astrodome by drawing another crowd of 60,081 fans, breaking her previous record.
1995 – Latin superstar Selena holds famed Astrodome concert with over 67,000 fans, again, breaking her previous records
1997 – Rodeo Institute for Teacher Excellence is created as a 3-year pilot program with $4.6 million of funding; websites www(dot)hlsr(dot)com and www(dot)rodeohouston(dot)com introduced.
1998 – Number of 4-H and FFA scholarships increased to 60 per program, totaling 120 four-year $10,000 awards.
1999 – Number of 4-H and FFA scholarships increased to 70 per program, totaling 140 four-year $10,000 awards; Opportunity Scholarships awarded based on financial need and academic excellence.
2000 – Rodeo Institute for Teacher Excellence extended another 3 years with another $4.6 million; Reliant Energy acquires naming rights for the Astrodomain; renamed Reliant Park includes the Reliant Astrodome, Reliant Arena, Reliant Hall, Reliant Center and Reliant Stadium.
2001 – Largest presentation of scholarships to date, with 300 four-year $10,000 awards through the Metropolitan, Opportunity and School Art scholarship programs, totaling $3 million.
2002 – George Strait sets paid attendance record for any Rodeo event in the Reliant Astrodome with 68,266; Reliant Hall is demolished.
2003 – New location: Reliant Stadium and Reliant Center; Carruth Plaza, a Western sculpture garden named in honor of past president and chairman, Allen H. “Buddy” Carruth, completed at Reliant Park.
2006 – Brooks & Dunn break rodeo attendance record set by Hilary Duff in 2005 with 72,867 in attendance.
2007 – The Cheetah Girls sell out in just three minutes and set a new rodeo attendance record of 73,291.
2008 – Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus set another attendance record of 73.459
2009 – Ramon Ayala and Alacranes Musical set the all- time paid Rodeo attendance record on Go Tejano Day, with 74,147 in attendance for championship Rodeo action, concert entertainment and the ‘Mariachi finals.
2010 – Black Eyed Peas Perform on March 18, 2010 with a total of 73,073 guests.
Agricultural Show # 6. National Farm Machinery Show:
The National Farm Machinery Show is recognized as one of the largest indoor farm machinery expositions in the United States. The show is typically held annually in February at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Attendance exceeds 300,000 people, with 800 exhibitors in display space of 1,200,000 square feet (111,000 m2).
This massive show features thousands of widely recognized agricultural products and serviced showcased by more than 800 exhibitors in 1,200,000 square feet (111,000 m2) of interconnected exhibit space.
The National Farm Machinery Show boasts the nation’s oldest tractor pull, Championship Tractor Pull. Officially introduced to the world in 1969 during the fourth National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS), the Championship Tractor Pull is now celebrating 40 years of making champions.
The competition had been a vision of its originator, Billy Joe Miles, and was so popular in its first year that 15 drivers signed up to compete in the inaugural pull before it was officially established. Popularity can also be due to world-class tractors who participate, such as Silver Bullet, an AGCO White.
Today the pull remains a counterpart to the much larger NFMS, but the CTP has since transformed into a premiere event of its own. For 40 years, Freedom’s Hall’s basketball court has converted into a championship dirt track to showcase some of the nation’s best drivers in fierce pulling competition.
Each year, a short list of pullers etches their names in history as they become part of an elite group of drivers earning a national championship title. CTP brings in more than 75,000 fans to watch five performances in four days.
The exposition produces an estimated economic impact of $21.5 million each year, the most of any event held at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Agricultural Show # 7. National Western Stock Show:
The National Western Stock Show is held every January at the National Western Complex in Denver, Colorado. First held in 1906, it is the world’s largest stock show by number of animals and offers the world’s only carload and pen cattle show in the historic Denver Union Stockyards.
The stock show is governed by the Western Stock Show Association, a Colorado 501 (c) 3 institution, which produces the annual National Western Stock Show in an effort to forward the association’s mission:
“To preserve the western lifestyle, by providing a showcase for the agricultural industry through emphasis on education, genetic development, innovative technology and offering the world’s largest agricultural marketing opportunities.”
Proceeds from the National Western Stock Show go to the National Western Scholarship Trust. The Trust awards 64 scholarships annually to students studying agriculture and medicine to practice in rural areas at colleges and universities in Colorado and Wyoming.
The Horse Shows at the annual National Western Stock Show are among the largest in the world with more than 18,000 entries at the 2006 event, including Quarter Horses, Paint Horses, Hunters & Jumpers, FUSE Open Horse Shows, Mules Shows and the Draft Horse Show & Pull.
The Super Bowl of livestock shows, National Western hosts 20 breeds of cattle, horses, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, bison, yak, stock dogs, poultry and rabbits.
The National Western Rodeo is nationally recognized as one of the largest indoor rodeos, and has won honors from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association(PR CA), including multiple ‘Indoor Rodeo of the Year’ titles.
Events held during the stock show include the Citizen of the West banquet, the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale, the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions, Children Ranch land, Pony Trails interactive education area, Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, the Martin Luther King Junior African-American Heritage Rodeo, Professional Bull Riding performances, An Evening of Dancing Horses dressage and reining demonstrations, Wild West Shows, Super Dogs, Dodge Freestyle Reining competition, Jack Daniel’s Grand Prix, Downtown Denver Stock Show Parade and the International Livestock Congress.
The National Western Stock Show celebrated its Centennial Anniversary in 2006 with record crowds and entries.
Agricultural Show # 8. North American International Livestock Exposition:
North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) is a livestock show held each November in Louisville, Kentucky and lasts for two weeks. It is billed as the “world’s largest all-breed, purebred livestock exposition”, with nine major livestock divisions with competitors from the 48 contiguous states. These divisions are beef cattle, Boer goats, dairy cattle, dairy goats, draft horses, llamas & alpacas, sheep, and swine.
Visitors from 15 countries attend the Expo, many of these go to the event to acquire purebred livestock semen and embryos to export from the United States. This makes the event attractive to American “seedstock producers”.
The events are held at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Agricultural Show # 9. Pennsylvania Farm Show:
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is held every January at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, just of Exit 67 of Interstate 81. The event, considered Pennsylvania’s state fair, first began in 1917. It is the largest indoor agricultural event held in the United States.
The Farm Show Complex houses 24 acres under roof, spread throughout 11 buildings including three arenas. The annual event is free to the public and attracts over half a million visitors. The Sheep to Shawl Competition was added to the show in 2008.
Agricultural Show # 10. San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo:
The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo in San Antonio, Texas, USA is one of the largest livestock shows and rodeos in the country. Started in 1950, the annual event takes place over two-weeks in February. The rodeo’s permanent home was the Joe & Harry Freeman Coliseum until 2003 when its primary events moved into the AT&T Center.
Since its inception the Stock Show & Rodeo has grown and developed over the years. In 1984 the Rodeo began a scholarship program for students interested in pursuing agricultural degrees. Since then the association has committed over $64 million dollars through scholarships, grants, endowments, cattle auctions and other means.
In 2003, with the addition of the AT&T Center, the adjacent Freeman Coliseum became available to add on-site access for retailers to sell western wear, furniture and other items during the annual rodeo.
The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is one of the top five The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeos in the nation. In 2003 it received special recognition by the PRCA Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame. Attendance at the 56th Annual (2005) Rodeo reached 1.1 million, about $500,000 in prizes are awarded to winning rodeo participants and the grand champion steer was auctioned off for over $110,000.
Production of the event requires over 4,000 volunteers and the NBA Spurs and AHL Rampage to play an extended away game schedule.