THE STOCK SHOW AND RODEO IS ONCE AGAIN RIDING INTO THE CONCHO VALLEY.
"John West: Our stock show from an economic impact is the biggest thing we do all year."
TODAY OFFICIALS EXPRESSED EXCITED ABOUT CHANGES -- INCLUDING MUTTON BUSTING.
"Mark Duncan: It's the thing we do that most people like. For the last 90 years we've had a formula where we ask area schools but still we have people that feel like they don't get an opportunity."
IN ADDITION CHILDREN SELECTED BY SCHOOLS -- THIS YEAR KIDS WHO WEIGH UNDER 50 POUNDS CAN ENTER A DRAWING FOR THAT EVENING'S SHOW. 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE SHOW OFFICIALS WILL DRAW TWO LUCKY NAMES AND ALLOW THE CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE.
OVER 11-HUNDRED COMPETITORS AND OFFICIALS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE RODEO THIS YEAR. AND THERE'S A RECORD BREAKING AMOUNT OF ENTRIES FOR THE STOCK SHOW.
"Justin Jonas: For out stock show our entries are up over a thousand total entries from last year. From 8-thousand to 9-thousand."
ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONCERNS FOR THE EVENT IS THE ECONOMY.
"Justin Jonas: Hopefully it hasn't completely affect us like it has the bigger cities but I think as long as we keep coming and they keep putting on a good show it's going to continue to grow."
THE ONLY EVENT THAT'S DRAGGING IS THE RODEO PARADE -- WHICH TAKES PLACE FEBRUARY 21ST. FLOATS ARE MUCH LOWER THAN USUAL AND OFFICIALS HAVE EXTENDED THE DEADLINE FOR MORE FLOAT ENTRIES.
BUT DESPITE THE CURRENT LACK OF PARADE FLOATS -- OFFICIALS ARE EXPECTING ANOTHER GREAT YEAR.
"John West And I think we are going to weather the economic storm better than most because of the value."
THE STOCK SHOW AND RODEO STARTS FEBRUARY 19TH AND SO SADDLE UP BEFORE IT RIDES OUT OF TOWN