Graphics by Lauren Deitzer Photography by Click Thompson
You might be disappointed to learn that the phrase, “This ain’t my first rodeo,” has its origins tied to the movie “Mommie Dearest” — likely written by the Brooklyn-born-and-raised Frank Yablans, one of the film’s writers and producer. If you’ve ever stomached the Faye Dunaway-starring flick about the temperamental Hollywood icon Joan Crawford, you know few motion pictures have ever been put to film stock as un-rodeo as this Razzie Award winner. But in the popular phrase’s surprising etymology, we find a hidden message: If Joan Crawford’s been to the rodeo, then surely everyone is welcomed at the rodeo.
The rodeo — or, ahem, in our case, the Stock Show and Rodeo — brings the West, in all its grimy absence of pretention, to the urban-dwelling masses. For those who lack the daring, determination, or opportunity to drive cattle or bust a bronco, the Stock Show and Rodeo is where one comes for a taste of such a life. It’s the world’s fair of the West — a showcase of the cowboy lifestyle that happily lingers in Cowtown. And, yes, whether you’re a veteran of bull chutes or a sneaker-wearing Prius driver, all are welcomed to come and enjoy.
That being said, there are a few tips that might make your experience even more enjoyable.
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
When: Jan. 12 – Feb. 3
Where: The whole south side of the Cultural District — Will Rogers Memorial Center, Dickies Arena.
Cost: Daily general admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children at the door (you can’t purchase tickets online). This does not include ticketed events (almost anything held in Dickies Arena), which are sold separately.
How and Where to Arrive
Trucks and trucks and trucks: Like the old West, much importance is placed on the steed you ride in on. So, we leave you with this single tip: If you have a truck — drive it. If you’re considering buying a truck, get it before Jan. 14. Whether it’s blue, green, Ford, GMC, one-ton, or half-ton, it doesn’t matter. Just remember a little dirt on the outside never did a truck any harm.
Parking Situation: The easiest thing to do — for those who aren’t cash-strapped — is to park in the lots and garages near the grounds, but it’ll cost you a few bucks ($17 last year). This includes the Farrington Field parking lot, Dickies Arena, and the orange, blue, and yellow lots.
If you choose to ride share, drop-offs are at 1911 Montgomery St. and pick-ups are at 3596 Harley Ave.
So What Do You Call It? Stock Show or Rodeo?
There are a couple quirks when it comes to the nomenclature of our city’s fine event. Though it is called the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, signifying its two main attractions — there’s a Stock Show (an exhibition of livestock judged by breed standards) and a Rodeo (the competition that includes bull riding, roping, etc.) — Fort Worth speak has reduced this mouthful to the simpler “Stock Show.” Thus, in Fort Worth, the word Stock Show is synonymous with both the Stock Show and the event, which includes the Rodeo, as a whole. Heck, you might even hear some call the Rodeo the Stock Show — not that we recommend this. We can only presume our residents value brevity above all else.
So, to sum it up:
When talking about the event, as a whole, it’s the Stock Show, not the Rodeo.
The Rodeo is the Rodeo, but it’s also the Stock Show.
The Stock Show is the Stock Show, but don’t you dare call it the Rodeo.
Do’s and Don’ts (Cheat Sheet)
- Do: “Howdy.”
- Don’t: “Salutations.”
- Do: Cheap whiskey and Lone Star Beer
- Don’t: Gin martinis and Stella Artois
- Do: Felt cowboy hats
- Don’t: Any other headwear
- Do: Trucks
- Don’t: Convertibles
