Hog Blog

Visit the Fort Worth Stock Show, and leave the driving to bus operators (and cattle herders)

Fans of the Fort Worth Stock Show who don’t like being herded into the Will Rogers Memorial Center’s parking lots – and paying for it – have another option.

Shuttle buses are available 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the weekends, with departures about every half-hour from the Macy’s at Ridgmar Mall, 2008 Green Oaks Road in west Fort Worth, and about every 20 minutes from Billy Bob’s Texas, 2520 Rodeo Plaza in north Fort Worth.

Parking is free at the shuttle pickup spots. Fare to ride the bus is $1 per person each way.

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority will operate the shuttles Saturday, Sunday (Jan. 28-29) and the final Stock Show day Feb. 4.

For more information, visit www.the-t.com or call 817-215-8600.

@gdickson

International office helps translate Fort Worth's culture to visitors

Texas isn't really a whole 'nother country, but it may seem so to visitors from other lands.

Chay Ly Cheng got to the Stock Show's International Suite shortly after opening this morning. The folks are there to welcome visitors from other countries and introduce them to ranching, Fort Worth-style.

He put a push pin on a large map showing his hometown, Melbourne, Australia, and pointed out which of the flags hanging on the wall is from down under.

Most international visitors come from Mexico or Canada, officials said. On Monday, they hosted guests from New Zealand, Canada, Russia and a group of eight from India. Last year, the office served 435 international guests from 58 nations. It varies; in 2003 there were 875 visitors from 62 countries.

Cheng got a tour of the Stock Show grounds, watching cows being milked, learning the differences between cattle breeds and checking out folks decked out in Western wear.

His tour guide, Juan M. Hernandez, a 19-year veteran of the International Suite, explained that it is fashionable to wear boots to the rodeo and that boots, depending on the style and material, can be as expensive as $3,000 per pair.

Cheng said: "Wow, I'm sure they last a long time."

Jessamy Brown

 

 

Right: Hernandez shows Cheng an authentic longhorn

Stock Show discounts

FORT WORTH – The Fort Worth Stock Show is offering prices to beat the cold. On Wednesday, visitors with a Star-Telegram Press Pass can get up to 4 adult admission passes for half-price, regularly $8, and 50 percent off tickets for Midway rides. Or during the week visitors can buy discounted arm bands for $25 which are good for all Midway rides between noon to 6 p.m. the day of purchase.  Discount not available Saturday or Sunday. – Susan Schrock

Booth boasts baskets from Ghana

Brittany Piggins family's booth in the commercial exhibits is a little different from the standard Stock Show fare.

The brightly-colored baskets from the Women's Fair Trade Co-op are all woven by women in the west African nation of Ghana, Piggins said. She said the baskets, which will run you $37.50, are made with no child labor and selling them supports 21 families.

It's the first year at the show for Piggins, a recent graduate from Texas A&M Commerce with a master's degree in business administration and marketing.

"It's just a growing business and something to really be proud of to help out the people of Ghana," she said.

- Traci Shurley

Cold temperatures put a chill on Stock Show attendance

FORT WORTH – Lower than average temperatures may have kept away visitors to the Fort Worth Stock Show, which had the lowest third weekend crowds since 2003.

Temperatures were in the low 30s on Saturday and Sunday, when a combined 143,800 visited the annual Cowtown event. That’s about 9,000 less than the same weekend last year. The last time third weekend turnout was that low was when 143,700 visited in 2006, according to attendance records.

So far this year, 589,900 have attended the Stock Show, about 4,100 than the same point last year.

– Susan Schrock