Grab your lassos and cowboy hats because the National Western Stock Show is here for its 118th season.
The show kicked off Thursday with a parade through downtown Denver. Indigenous dancers, many in full traditional regalia, alongside marching bands, horses and longhorn cattle.
It was the first time performers from the troupe joined in the annual procession that begins the agricultural and ranching showcase each year. The troupe鈥檚 director, Mary Martinez Yellow Horse, a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation, said her dancers鈥� inclusion in the parade was symbolic.
鈥淩epresentation matters, that we're able to bring our culture into new spaces. And even if it's uncomfortable, it's needed,鈥� Yellow Horse said. 鈥淪o we're out there to show that we're still here. We're still thriving.鈥�
Yellow Horse added that inviting Indigenous people to participate in stock show festivities bucks negative stereotypes.
鈥淲e're able to come out and show that the stereotypes of cowboys and Indians are no longer there, and they shouldn't be represented in that way anymore,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e're all just people. We should walk hand in hand.鈥�
Often called the 鈥淪uper Bowl of livestock shows,鈥� the National Western Stock Show offers dozens of rodeos, horse and livestock shows, live music and family entertainment over a couple weeks' time. This year鈥檚 lineup will include a new exhibit featuring Colorado鈥檚 burgeoning wine industry and a 鈥渃owboy courtyard鈥� that hosts musical acts on weekends.
鈥淚 think people will really, you know, enjoy coming back and seeing some of the traditional things we do, but with a new flair,鈥� stock show president and CEO Paul Andrews said.
Andrews said the tradition of hosting the show in January each year dates back to its beginnings in 1906. The show started out as a way to to learn about agricultural innovations and do business with each other. Although January weather can be frigid, the show鈥檚 founders kept the ranching community in mind.
鈥淭here's only one month of the year where ranchers are not having calves, and that is the month of January,鈥� Andrews said. 鈥淚t's the only month that a rancher will leave their ranch and bring their animals to Denver.鈥�
He said all 50 states will be represented in this year鈥檚 show, but it鈥檚 about more than exhibits and spectacles.
鈥淲e are educating America on agriculture, the Western traditions that we represent, and where their food comes from,鈥� Andrews said.
He also believes the show can help bridge divides between urban and rural communities.
鈥淲e're alike, OK? Some of us live out on a ranch in a very small community, and some of us live in the big city,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut we're all Americans.鈥�
This year鈥檚 National Western Stock Show starts Saturday and runs through Jan. 21 in Denver. ranges from $17 to $25.
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