One of the biggest events on the Las Vegas calendar kicked up its spurs in high style last Thursday with the start of the 10-day Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Hundreds of champion steer wrestlers, bull riders, ropers, bronc and bareback riders and barrel racers converged on the Thomas & Mack Center, along with several thousands of their fans, and they’ll be staying and spending through this Saturday.
It’s the 32ndconsecutive year for the NFR in Sin City. Last year, 170,966 people attended the rodeo over 10 days at the Thomas & Mack, and a record crowd of 216,292 made its way to the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“You would think that after 32 years it would get old doing the same event, but it’s never the same event,” said Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events, which co-sanctions the rodeo along with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “There is always something new and fresh, so I’m looking forward to it again. It’s my favorite time of year.
The city’s casino industry has actively embraced the event, sponsoring live concerts featuring the likes of George Strait, Charlie Daniels, Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn, live satellite feeds showing the rodeo at casino properties, gift shows, daytime events and night-time parties and a Miss Rodeo America pageant.
“The hotels get better every year at customizing the experiences they’re offering for fans, and some new ones come on board,” Christenson said.
“From Day One, we’ve always had great support from Las Vegas. We’ve always worked together, and the event has been very beneficial for PRCA and Las Vegas Events,” said NFR General Manager Shawn Davis, a Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer who was instrumental in the rodeo’s move from Oklahoma City to Las Vegas back in 1985.
Over the years, prize purses have soared, reaching $10 million last year, which has opened the competition to more contestants and more challenges for world titles.
Thomas & Mack executives, meanwhile, have committed to $72.5 million in renovations to retain the event, and this year’s additions include a 36,000-square-foot space called the ’Shoe, a themed Western hospitality and interactive experience that includes a new entrance and escalators, an unobstructed view of the Las Vegas Strip and facilities for CBS Sports Network to produce a rodeo pre-show.
The arena also has installed new seats, a wider concourse, upgraded restrooms, more concession stands, extra televisions and displays and large video boards outside the arena for catching all the action.
“It’s a tremendous job to adjust to an event like this, and the people at the Thomas & Mack are outstanding to work with,” Davis said. “Everything is convenient there, we’ve got enough room for all of the livestock to be taken care of and to be moved in and out. We’ve rehearsed it for 30 years, so we’ve all grown together.”
