Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

The Stock Show, which attracts almost 1 million visitors and nearly as many head of cattle, swine, poultry and horses, has been part of Fort Worth's culture in some guise or another for over 100 years. The stock show/rodeo/carnival takes place in the Will Rogers Memorial Center, in the center of the cultural district, just a stone's throw from the three major art museums. Imagine letting thousands of tons of livestock, cowboys from every western state, and their trucks and trailers, occupy the center of the city for 23 days. That's Fort Worth fer ya: City of Cowboys and Culture, sharing the same parking lot.

We went to the Rodeo Monday night. I was completely enthralled by the galloping horses and gallant cowboys. There was calf roping, bareback bronco riding and more. Champion rodeo competitors come from all over Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Montana, Kansas, etc. I'm totally fascinated by cowboys now, and the lives I imagine them to lead, the people I imagine them to be. I've started to fantasize about being a cowgirl and being as comfortable maneuvering a big, sweaty horse around barrels as I am behind the wheel of a car. Then again, this kind of activity looks like it could really hurt sometimes.