Grab your Stetsons and boots, the National Western Stock Show will be here in about a week, bringing rodeo performances, horse shows and western culture to Denver.
The 118th event begins with the annual Stock Show Kick-Off Parade led by the 2024 Grand Marshal and Denver Broncos Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Gradishar. The parade returned early this year after weather cancellations and pandemic closures. The parade begins at Union Station on Jan. 4.
Crowd favorites such as the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo and the Professional Bull Riders Rodeo Finals are also returning in 2024.
In 2023, about 110,000 people showed up during the first weekend. By the time the Stock Show closed, nearly 703,000 people visited the National Western Complex grounds at 4655 Humboldt St.
The "Super Bowl of livestock shows" is known to be a big draw for the city. Last year, the event brought in $171 million in net economic activity, according to the Common Sense Institute. That economic impact is more than Denver Nuggets NBA Finals run, which generated $25 million, according to CSI.
This year is expected to be no different. President and CEO of the Stock Show Paul Andrews said stockyard space is completely sold out for the 2024 event and representatives from all 50 U.S. states and 35 countries will be in attendance.
You can purchase tickets to the show and see the full schedule online.
