FORT WORTH -- In its colorful 116-year history, the Fort Worth Stock Show had never hit the seven-figure attendance mark.
It almost certainly did Thursday."We don't want to sound boastful, but it'll probably happen," predicted Shanna Weaver, the Stock Show's publicity manager.Official attendance figures for Thursday will not be released until this morning. But through Wednesday, attendance stood at 982,800, putting 1 million easily within reach on an unusually warm day with two rodeo performances and two major livestock shows.The 2012 Stock Show was already a record-setter, topping the previous mark of 955,800 in 2006.It's also worth noting that this year's edition is 23 days, one day shorter than the show used to be.The reason for the huge bump in attendance? The weather, of course. No bitter cold. No icy roads. Even last week's drenching came during a slow day for activities on the grounds."I don't know how you could have gotten better weather than we had this year," said Brad Barnes, president and general manager.Barnes isn't planning a blowout or celebration for the attendance mark. The most he said Thursday was that "we will be pleased" if the number is that high."I don't wake up every day and say, 'What is our number going to be today?'" he said. "You can't worry about that because it's weather-driven, and I don't worry about the weather because I can't control it."I stay focused on one day at a time making sure that everyone who comes here has a good experience. If we stay focused on that, the numbers will take care of themselves."The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo typically surpasses the 2 million mark, and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo attracted 1.4 million visitors last year, putting both among the nation's biggest shows and fairs.Fort Worth's show is smaller, although it still ranks in the top 20 nationwide.Its annual impact on the Fort Worth economy exceeds $100 million, according to studies done for the Stock Show and the city.Last year's Stock Show appeared to be on its way to 1 million visitors, but attendance fell dramatically amid brutal winter weather the last week of the show.On Tuesday, for instance, 50,200 people came to the grounds, compared with 8,910 on the same day during the ice storm of 2011.This year's best one-day attendance was Saturday -- 153,400 people.Today is one of the show's most important days: The grand champion and reserve grand champion will be named in the Junior Steer Show.The Stock Show ends Saturday.Chris Vaughn, 817-390-7547Twitter: @CVaughnFWHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
