The traditional Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo parade is set to go ahead as scheduled this weekend, despite forecasts of frigid temperatures. A stark reminder that in Texas, the show must go on — cold or not. The National Weather Service in Fort Worth predicts temperatures on Saturday morning in the 20s, with a warming trend to the 40s as the day progresses. The parade, a fixture since 1896, starts at 11 a.m. and will feature over 3,000 horses parading through downtown, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Despite the wintery chill, parade organizers and stock show officials are optimistic about this year's event, which follows a record-breaking 2023 attendance of 1.27 million visitors. Fans of the parade will gather to witness marching bands, floats, horseback riders, and stagecoaches in an event that has weathered cancellations in the past due to COVID and perilous winds. "Like we say here at the Stock Show, layer up and come have fun," Matt Brockman, the stock show’s communications manager, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
On the economic front, the yearly Fort Worth spectacle is more than just cowboy hats and livestock. It's a significant revenue driver for the region. The 2023 show contributed more than $142 million to the local economy, ranking third nationwide among events with the largest economic impact for February of that year. Local businesses are also getting in on the action, with Reata restaurant president Mike Micallef pledging a $200 charity donation based on a guess-the-steps competition he hosts during the show, according to Kera News.
The Stock Show and Rodeo are also pushing forward with a nod to Texas heritage, as the TCU Horned Frog Marching Band leads the parade, which honors law enforcement members from across the state. "The Weather Channel’s 30-day forecast projects temps to be mostly moderate (many days’ highs in the upper 50s and low 60s) so we’re cautiously optimistic that we’ll have another great year," Brockman wrote in a statement to the Fort Worth Report. For those braving the chill, the majority of stock show events will be held indoors, offering a warm reprieve from the biting outdoor temperatures, per Kera News.
Tickets to the parade are already on the move, with reserved seating available for those wanting an assured spot. For those looking to join the fun without a fee, watching the parade is free, with the route spanning from the Tarrant County Courthouse to the Convention Center, then up Houston Street. General admission to the stock show grounds is $12 for adults, and $6 for children, with rodeo seats starting at $46 — a small price to pay for a slice of authentic Texas culture. The event runs from January 12 to February 3, featuring a kaleidoscope of activities for all ages at the Will Rogers Memorial Center and Dickies Arena.
