Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo cowboys, concerts and competitions: What’s new in ’22
Two years after the last Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, thousands of Texans are eagerly awaiting its return on Jan. 14.
The events, which run 23 days until Feb. 5, kick off the professional rodeo and livestock competition season. The city’s largest annual event will feature 25 rodeo performances, thousands of livestock, 250 vendors and horse shows at Dickies Arena.
The 125-year-old event that prides itself on Western tradition was canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Big crowds are anticipated this year.
“Tickets sales have been very brisk with many of our rodeo and concert performances in near sellouts, and entries in our livestock and horse shows have also been at high levels,” said president and general manager Brad Barnes. “Clearly, getting back to the Stock Show is on the calendar for thousands of folks across the state and across the country.”
Here are some of the new attractions this year, from the rodeo’s new fan-friendly format to a variety of events and experiences throughout the show.
More award-winning artists
The Stock Show has grown its Auditorium Concert Series since 2020, when it first debuted. There will be six concerts offered, compared with two in 2020. The series will feature Grammy- and Academy Award-winning artists of a variety of genres:
- Rock band Kansas on Jan. 19
- Alternative country music band Old 97’s on Jan. 21
- Country music artist Clint Black on Jan. 27
- Comedian Jeff Foxworthy on Jan. 28
- Fort Worth Symphony with vocalist Tony Vincent performing “The Music of Queen” on Jan. 29
- Solo acoustic player Ryan Bingham on Feb. 5
Catch these artists and more at the Will Rogers Auditorium. Visit fwssr.com to buy tickets to individual shows.
Also, stick around after rodeo performances at Bud Light Roadhouse for more musical acts. Admission is free with the purchase of daily grounds admission, that day’s rodeo ticket, a souvenir pin, an official Stock Show badge and museum or BRIT membership.
Escaramuza competition
The Escaramuza, where female side-saddle riders perform to traditional music wearing colorful patterned dresses, will this year feature a Charro Cala horse competition. Alejandro Goñi Rojo, one of the top horse and Cala trainers from Mexico, will compete. It runs from Jan. 29 to 30 at the Will Rogers Coliseum, and is free with general admission.
“We just continue to look for those things that we can do that appeal to an increasingly diverse populace here in Fort Worth,” said Matt Brockman, a Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo spokesperson.
Other multicultural events added in the last decade include the Best of Mexico Celebraciòn on Jan. 16 and the Cowboys of Color Rodeo on Jan. 17. Tickets are $30-65 each.
You can also expect the return of the Texas Invitational Mariachi Competition on Jan. 22, which will showcase top high school mariachi teams from across the state.
Bridles and Brains contest
Rodeo-goers can watch collegiate ranch horse teams from across Texas take on a new contest, Bridles and Brains. It’s a new collegiate ranch horse competition that challenges both the equestrian and their communication skills. It’ll be held on Feb. 2 and 3 at 9 a.m. at the Watt Arena.
For horse competition fans, the popular Mustang Magic competition will be returning in the Coliseum on Jan. 21-22 at 6 p.m. in an updated format.
Step into the Stock Show
There are several museum activities you can partake in during the show. Step into the Stock Show, hosted by the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, will give you a unique look at both history and contemporary livestock in an exhibition. It combines artifacts, video and imagery of the Stock Show with the technologies used by the Museum of Science and History.
As part of the stock show’s Moo-seum experience, your general admission ticket will get you access to the Museum of Science and History, the National Cowgirl Museum and the Cattle Raisers museum.
New eats
Plenty of new restaurants, from casual eats to fine dining, opened since the last show. Check out our recommendations.
You might want to take a little break in between the rowdiness of the rodeos and shows. Since the last Stock Show, there’s now a place to unwind and meet friends: the Corkyard. It’s open weekdays until 5:30 p.m. and weekends until noon.
Added safety measures
More people are expected to come to the Stock Show as Fort Worth’s population rapidly grows, about 2% every year. In 2020, the rodeo drew 1.2 million visitors.
“When you have 1.2 million guests on the ground over 23 days, overall, visitor safety is paramount,” Brockman said.
With a big crowd this year, you might want to take added precautions. While vaccines and masks aren’t mandated, you’ll have access to masks and hand sanitizer. And can get vaccinated at a booth run by the Tarrant County Health Department, or get tested at a station run by the Fort Worth Fire Department. The ventilation system has also been upgraded at the Will Rogers Memorial Center for added safety.
New bus routes
You’ll have more ways to get to and from the Stock Show this year. In September, Trinity Metro modified some bus routes and added seven new bus routes:
- Route 29 West Seminary/Hulen Mall
- Route 33 Felix/Oak Grove
- Route 51 Bryant Irvin
- Route 52 Hulen
- Route 53 University
- Route 54 Riverside/Sylvania
- Route 55 Handley
“Everything that makes the stock show just uniquely woven into the fabric of Fort Worth” will be back, Brockman said.
Doors open at 8 a.m. on Friday. It usually starts with the All Western Parade on Saturday, but that has been canceled due to high winds.
Don’t miss these popular rodeo matches: the Best of the West Ranch Rodeo on Jan. 14-15, Bulls’ Night Out Xtreme Bull Riding on Jan. 18 and 19, Texas Champions Challenge Rodeo on Jan. 20, Cowboy Mounted Shooting on Jan. 26 and the FWSSR Prorodeo Tournament from Jan. 21 through Feb. 5.
There are plenty of family-friendly activities. You and your kids can go on pony rides, watch chicks hatch, pet plenty of cute animals at the petting zoo and barnyard, go on carnival rides and play carnival games, learn how to milk a cow at the milking parlor or watch a celebrity goat milking contest.
Want to purchase tickets? Visit fwssr.com/p/tickets.
Star-Telegram reporter Megan Cardona contributed to this report.
This story was originally published January 12, 2022 at 5:04 PM.
