High hopes of successStock Show & Rodeo starts Thursday with new events, exhibits.
Workers dump and spread 2,160 tons of dirt in the ATT Center in preparation for the 2011 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Bob Owen/rowen@express-news.net By William Packwpack@express-news.net Monday, January 31, 2011
With a sub-freezing arctic front barreling towards San Antonio, it will soon feel about right for the city's winter ritual.
Yep, it's rodeo time in San Antonio, and the 62nd annual edition of that Western tradition has stirred up high hopes before it races out of the gates Thursday.
The roller coaster is about finished, and red dirt has replaced the gleaming court that the San Antonio Spurs call home.
“So far, it looks real good,” said Pam Rew, assistant executive director of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo as preparations for the 18-day celebration of rodeo skills and country culture revved up.
Advance ticket sales are strong, the number of commercial vendors and junior livestock exhibitors have grown and pre-rodeo events produced solid financial support.
“We're planning for a big show,” said Rew. “We're excited.”
Whether that means another record show won't be known for a while and will depend to a great extent on how agreeable the weather is. This week, overnight lows in the 20s are expected, but no showers have been forecast.
With a sub-freezing arctic front barreling towards San Antonio, it will soon feel about right for the city's winter ritual.
Yep, it's rodeo time in San Antonio, and the 62nd annual edition of that Western tradition has stirred up high hopes before it races out of the gates Thursday.
The roller coaster is about finished, and red dirt has replaced the gleaming court that the San Antonio Spurs call home.
“So far, it looks real good,” said Pam Rew, assistant executive director of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo as preparations for the 18-day celebration of rodeo skills and country culture revved up.
Advance ticket sales are strong, the number of commercial vendors and junior livestock exhibitors have grown and pre-rodeo events produced solid financial support.
“We're planning for a big show,” said Rew. “We're excited.”
Whether that means another record show won't be known for a while and will depend to a great extent on how agreeable the weather is. This week, overnight lows in the 20s are expected, but no showers have been forecast.
Cowboys lead Longhorns on Houston Street toward the Alamo during the Texas Longhorn Cattle Drive in downtown San Antonio.Photo: LISA KRANTZ/lkrantz@express-news.net / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Rodeo attendance, which counts those attending the rodeo in the AT&T Center and those who come to watch the livestock judging and taste the other rodeo offerings outside the arena, has set records the last two years. Last year, attendance fell just short of 1.4 million.
Tom Cannon, who teaches marketing and tourism at the University of Texas at San Antonio, said the popularity of the event stems from several factors: it's a well-managed activity that supports a good cause, education, while rekindling memories of the enduring themes that built the state, Cannon said.
“Cattle and cowboys are synonymous with Texas,” he said. “They come for the mystique and the fun they have.”
The rodeo raised $8.5 million for scholarships and other educational endeavors last year.
Rew said the event also has some new offerings to give people another reason for visiting.
An activity area for children, sponsored by H-E-B, demonstrates through interactive exhibits how food and dairy products go from the farm to grocery stores.
Children and adults might be attracted to a new wildlife and natural resources area where hunting, fishing, kayaking and other outdoor activities will be explored. In addition, a wine garden has been set up for adults to taste winning wine varieties from a competition earlier in the year and to learn about Texas wines.
Wade Shows Inc., which is putting on the carnival, reportedly is bringing in new rides after it recorded three, record-breaking attendance counts in 2010, said rodeo spokeswoman Jenny Nagelmueller.
“There is something for everyone here,” Rew said.
The cost of attendance has not changed this year. Getting on the grounds for the horse shows, livestock judging, commercial exhibitors and other activities costs $7. Tickets to the rodeo itself cost $10 or $25 and include admission to the grounds, a seat for the rodeo competition and the musical performance afterwards.
Sugar Reim, with Circle R Ranch Wear, one of the nearly 700 exhibitors who will be selling goods at the rodeo, said she's ready to get going.
“We've loved San Antonio since the beginning because they loved us,” said Reim, whose firm coordinates Resistol hat sales. “This is Western culture here. This is where people want to come.”
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/High-hopes-of-success-988300.php#ixzz1ChXjZPSH
Tom Cannon, who teaches marketing and tourism at the University of Texas at San Antonio, said the popularity of the event stems from several factors: it's a well-managed activity that supports a good cause, education, while rekindling memories of the enduring themes that built the state, Cannon said.
“Cattle and cowboys are synonymous with Texas,” he said. “They come for the mystique and the fun they have.”
The rodeo raised $8.5 million for scholarships and other educational endeavors last year.
Rew said the event also has some new offerings to give people another reason for visiting.
An activity area for children, sponsored by H-E-B, demonstrates through interactive exhibits how food and dairy products go from the farm to grocery stores.
Children and adults might be attracted to a new wildlife and natural resources area where hunting, fishing, kayaking and other outdoor activities will be explored. In addition, a wine garden has been set up for adults to taste winning wine varieties from a competition earlier in the year and to learn about Texas wines.
Wade Shows Inc., which is putting on the carnival, reportedly is bringing in new rides after it recorded three, record-breaking attendance counts in 2010, said rodeo spokeswoman Jenny Nagelmueller.
“There is something for everyone here,” Rew said.
The cost of attendance has not changed this year. Getting on the grounds for the horse shows, livestock judging, commercial exhibitors and other activities costs $7. Tickets to the rodeo itself cost $10 or $25 and include admission to the grounds, a seat for the rodeo competition and the musical performance afterwards.
Sugar Reim, with Circle R Ranch Wear, one of the nearly 700 exhibitors who will be selling goods at the rodeo, said she's ready to get going.
“We've loved San Antonio since the beginning because they loved us,” said Reim, whose firm coordinates Resistol hat sales. “This is Western culture here. This is where people want to come.”
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/High-hopes-of-success-988300.php#ixzz1ChXjZPSH
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