NWSS Kicks Off with a Parade

Downtown Denver was the scene of the National Western Stock Show’s annual Rodeo Parade, Tuesday at high noon. The parade route started from Union Station at 17th and Wynkoop and traveled down 17th Street for 15 blocks. Spectators and rodeo fans lined the street 3 to 5 people deep, and waved to the passing groups representing many different facets of the stock industry. From Rodeo Royalty to vintage trucks and tractors, there were plenty of participants in the parade. The Texas Longhorns were among the first to begin the parade route and cowboys on horseback herded them up 17th Street. This is a tradition that has been a part of the parade for many decades and is definitely a crowd favorite.The Grand Marshal for this years parade was Todd Helton, 1st baseman for the Colorado Rockies, and he rode high on top of a Stagecoach with his daughter, waving to the crowds.

Many of the winners of County Fair’s were present and wearing their sashes and crowns, ready to greet the many visitors that came to see the parade. They posed for pictures, introduced themselves and handed out flyers inviting folks to attend this years National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, which promises a great time and unusually warm weather. Miss Rodeo America, Kelli Jackson, waved to the crowds and Miss Evergreen Rodeo posed in the lobby of the Oxford Hotel on 17th Street before riding in the parade. Larimer County Rodeo Queen Keaton Ramm and her Lady-in-Waiting Lillie Parker were enjoying the beautiful day and the surprisingly robust crowd lining the parade route. Winner of this year’s 2009 Phillips County Fair, Queen Aimee Kanode, and Lady-in-Waiting Sarah Heermann also posed for pictures.

Rodeo Royalty from Douglas County included Fair and Rodeo Queen Hannah Wiens, Fair and Rodeo Queen Attendant Hannah Kopenhafer, Fair and Rodeo Princess Jessica McKinney and Fair and Rodeo Princess Attendant Victoria Stark. Boulder county Rodeo Lady-in-Waiting Katie Richardson, and Kayla Goodman – Douglas county Queen attendant 2010 were both kind enough to speak to us and explain what the parade would involve and how “kid friendly” the NWSS and Rodeo are. They both agreed “it will be a really, really good time. We look forward to seeing everyone there!”

The parade seemed to be successful and safe, however a steam vent located in the middle of 17th St. off Blake was a major concern to most of the horses who had to pass by. The livestock didn’t like all the billowing steam, and weren’t convinced it was safe for them to pass. It took quite a bit of coaxing for some animals to forge ahead. At one point the crowd was forced back to the sidewalk in a hurry as one horse spooked while passing the steam and momentarily charged the onlookers. He was quickly brought under control by his rider, but everyone around the steam vent had a renewed respect for how big these animals really are and the crowd was more aware of the animals reaction to the vent from that point on.

Remember Your Western Spirit!

The National Western Stock Show will be held January 9 – 24, 2010 and you can purchase tickets at local King Soopers, at the National Western Ticket office on or online at NationalWestern.com. 1-888-551-5004