The Lee Family: The Rodeo!

Last night we went to the Rodeo at the Ft Worth Stock Show! We haven't been to the rodeo in a few years, and although it can be a long night, it is one of my favorite things to do during the year. This year, the old stadium was retired and a brand new Dickie's Arena has been built. Also in past years, we've been able to go with tickets of CK's banking colleague who not only gave us free front row parking and free rodeo tickets, but the tickets were literally right on the arena floor, front row! The seats were amazing and the arena was dirty, run down and felt like a true working cattle arena with dust and dirt everywhere and the smell of horses and cows. The Dickie's Arena will be used for concerts and other venues throughout the year, so we were interested to see what we thought of it.

CK asked his banking colleague about tickets this year, but he didn't have any to share. He said his bank has a limited number of tickets in the new arena and the seats aren't really that great. So, we ended up buying tickets on-line through a third party site. They were a little more than I thought we'd have to spend, especially since they were on the top-level. However, they were front row on that level, so the seats were really good. Next year, I will absolutely buy tickets through the Ft Worth Stock Show directly. The tickets were also for the second set of semi-finals for the finals the next evening. So, I figured they would be very good competitors too.

We originally planned to go into Ft. Worth and grab a burger somewhere, but as we thought about parking and getting to the arena, we decided instead to get to the arena early and see what food options they offer. There are a few nice restaurants/steak houses at the arena but they were all crowded and we weren't really into a huge fancy meal either. So, we decided to eat from one of the food kiosks. We parked very easily and walked up the stairs to the arena which is super fancy and felt more like Bass Hall than a rodeo arena. It is incredibly fancy and beautiful inside and out! It was very easy to have our tickets electronically scanned and then we headed upstairs to figure out where to eat. The girls decided on fried rice, which looked pretty good. CK and I had a late lunch, so neither of us were very hungry. Instead, CK got a bag of peanuts and we snacked. I tried the fried rice and it was decent. The girls finished it and then were dying to get a bag of cotton candy in their hands! They each bought a bag and cotton candy and enjoyed each bite.

We headed to our seats, which were really good. They were high above the arena, but the arena was laid out perfectly below us and we were directly over the cattle roping area. Plus, we were right on the front row, so we could see everything. The arena is gorgeous, but almost too nice for a rodeo. It didn't have that smell of animals and dirt, that was so prevalent at the old arena, but it really is a beautiful venue.

The rodeo started, as it has for over 100 years and the announcer was over-the-top with his praise of Texas and the Ft Worth Stock Show. The announcer introduced the six different flags that have flown over Texas and we had the pledge of allegiance followed by the TCU men's choir singing America the Beautiful. It was a proud American moment. Then, the various rodeo big-wigs rode in on their horses as he introduced them, including a man in his mid-90s, on horseback who has been part of the Ft. Worth Rodeo for over 50 years! It was very amazing! After they all rode into the arena and rode their figure eights, it was time for the rodeo to begin! With the big screen above the arena and the constant loud country and rock music, it felt a little more like a rock concert at times, but it was fun.

The bareback bronc riders were first, followed by the saddle bronc riders and then the steer wrestlers, calf tie down, team roping, ladies individual roping and then the Budweiser Clydesdales and their wagon of beer came out! It was so amazing how well trained the horses are and how the driver can coax them into turning the wagon completely around without moving forward at all. The horses performed beautifully and it was amazing to watch. Olivia took a few short videos of the Clydesdales working! After the Budweiser Clydesdales left, it was time for the wagon races, which always seems slightly out of control to me, but no one gets hurt. Then, it was barrel racing and finally, bull riding. The girls, especially Olivia were running out of steam about 8:15pm, but they both enjoyed it and were entertained throughout. The competitors were great, although only 2 guys stayed on their bulls for the full 8 seconds. I actually love the steer wrestlers and team roping best, followed by the barrel racers, but the bull riding is crazy and fun to watch and the best way to end the night. By the end of the bull riders, both girls were tired and ready to go to bed, but had a really fun evening. It was so much fun and I love dressing up in our cowboy boots and jeans and watching some true cowboys perform!

We headed down the hall and then down the stairs and were outside in no time. Even though the arena was nearly full, it was so easy to get out and make our way to the car. Then, once we were in CK's truck, we were headed home without a minute of traffic. It was pretty amazing! Such a fun night and totally worth it!

The new-and-improved Dickie's Arena!