Transwest and the 2018 National Western Stock Show In Denver

Already breaking attendance records, the 2018 National Western Stock Show in Denver, is a 115-year-old tradition that locals and non-locals alike should plan to attend.  This being my first venture to the festivities, I’m glad to say that I was wildly surprised.  I had no idea what to expect.  I had been told to plan on cowboys, the PBR and clearly, livestock.  What I hadn’t anticipated was the miles of imported “trade-city” festivities that came along with those things!

Transwest Truck Trailer RV has been a supporter and sponsor of the festivities over 20 years, so with my vendor pass and trusty photographer Amy, we made the venture from our Frederick location, just 20 minutes south to I-70 and I-25, to the crossroads of tradition.

When you enter the National Western Complex, look left, Transwest and Cimarron trailers are there to greet you!

 I would recommend taking the time to have a conversation or two with the trailers salesmen there. Of course, they’re happy to give you the details of each model showcased this year, but make sure you take time to get to know them. Talk about stories, these ladies and gentlemen are half the fun!

Team Transwest Goat Roping Champions

Transwest doesn’t just sponsor the festivities, our tradition is about the experience.  This year Transwest participated in the Team Goat Roping festivities.

The premise behind the competition is to catch a specifically numbered goat in the pen, put a bandana on it, then guide it down to the end.  At no point can the team carry the goat.  Happy to join, Transwest Truck Trailer RV of Frederick General Manager Andrew Lyons, daughter Claire Lyons, George Eidsness (President of Transwest, Inc), and Michael Schafer.

Transwest was declared champions of the event with the most points for the 7 round competition, which included: stick horse barrel race (with beer chugging)  calf roping, cow pie toss, dummy roping, cornhole toss, pig penning, and the finale, the goat wrangling slalom course.

No goats were injured in the competition, but a few competitors (not ours) did take a few falls. Not just for fun and humor,  NWSS Goat Roping raised $30,000 for the scholarship fund!

National Western Stock Show Events and Activities

There are plenty of NWSS 2018 Events for the whole family, and our Transwest Family is usually around participating in a few.

• Pro Rodeo @ The Coliseum (multiple times and dates)

• Horseman’s Challenge (multiple dates)

• Pedal Tractor Races

• Stick Horse Rodeo presented by Children’s Hospital Colorado (January 13, 2018)

• The Wild West Show presented by King Soopers (January 13, 2018)

  And so much more, 21 days of fun-filled action and entertainment.

While you’re there, studying prized cattle and the take your breath away in 8 seconds PBR festivities, don’t forget to plan for ample time to peruse the vendors. Row after row of vendors offering their wares, everything from party dip mixes to taxidermy to Cimarron Trailers from Transwest Truck Trailer RV of Colorado.  Can’t make it to the show, shop online and make arrangements with one of our 3 Colorado locations.  Spend a few minutes getting to know CJ, and he’ll give you a personal tour.

I love the history of the Stock Show.  Over 100 years of stories!!  The photos are an amazing tribute to the past….and left me wondering, did they auction the babies too?!?

History of The National Western Stock Show (abbreviated from original)

1899 – Organized livestock events begin in Denver but not on a regular basis.

1905 – Initial meeting of interested Livestock Commission merchants, Stockyards Company Executives, Packers and Cattlemen was held in early December. The site selected was near Denver Stockyards on South Platte River, which is still the location of the 2001 show.

1906 – First show opened on Monday, January 29 and ran for six days. Harry Petrie, Superintendent of the Denver Stockyards was named first General Manager. Attendance was estimated at 15,000 with stockmen visiting from Omaha, Kansas City, Chicago, and some eastern cities.

1909 – The 1909 show opened on January 18 in the newly constructed 6,000 seat National Amphitheater, erected for $200,000 provided by the Denver Union Stockyard Company. This building still stands today.

1915 – The only year the show was canceled due to a “hoof and mouth” disease epidemic, which prohibited livestock from crossing state lines.

1947 – Denver taxpayers passed a $1.5 million bond issue for the building of the Denver Coliseum.

1954 – The Westernaires made their first annual appearance at the Rodeo.

1973 – The two-level 300 x 390 foot Hall of Education was opened to the public.

1981 – Attendance soared to more than 360,000 when the show dates were increased to 12 days and included 21 Rodeo performances. A still-standing record of $301,000 was paid at auction for a Hereford bull.

1985 – The downtown parade in advance of the show was revived, and the show offered a record 23 Rodeo performances and drew a record attendance of 439,000.

1995 – The Events Center, a state-of-the-art equestrian arena with a 150 x 300-foot floor, was dedicated at the show.

2002 – The Stock Show set an all-time record attendance of more than 632,000.

2006 – National Western celebrates its 100th anniversary; an attendance record is shattered when recorded attendance reaches 726,972 for the 16-day show.

Make plans to visit the National Western Stock Show (and take advantage of Transwest Stock Show Pricing at most of our Truck, Trailer and RV locations around the state or shop here.)

The National Western Stock Show in Denver is running through January 21st.  Tickets can be purchased here.  The full list of events and activities for NWSS can be found here.  Come out, bring the family for the whole day and well into the evening,  and make sure you stop by and say “Hello!!”  This is absolutely the place where generational friends are made!