The Frost Bank Center is undergoing a massive transformation, as over 70 truckloads of special soil are delivered in anticipation of the upcoming San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. This distinct blend of dirt, a foundation for the event, has a storied journey, starting with its arrival earlier today and finishing once it blankets the arena floor, according to FOX San Antonio.
The soil, so crucial for the events, is not fresh off the fields but has a heritage dating back to a 1988 purchase from Charlotte, Texas. It’s an eco-friendly and cost-effective practice, saving the organizers $25,000 annually on what they consider a treasured investment in the tradition and safety of the contestants and animals, KENS 5 reports.
Spanning 17 days, starting this Thursday, the rodeo will showcase bull riders, horse riders, and the tenacity of mutton-busting kids treading over the same, carefully maintained dirt that past champions have conquered. A team of tireless volunteers will spend about seven hours to lay the dirt into the arena, ensuring it’s set for optimum performance.
In speaking with KENS 5, it was learned that the process not only involves delivering but also sifting through it each year, to uphold a standard befitting of athletes and animals alike. After the festivities, another five hours will be dedicated to clearing the arena, wrapping another chapter in this dirt's storied legacy at the Frost Bank Center.
