Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and that 2024 will be a healthy and prosperous year for all!
One of our favorite first activities for the new year is attending the National Western Stock Show parade in Denver, Colorado. I've blogged about it in the past--see those blog posts here and here and here, but we haven't been able to attend the parade for quite a few years as COVID shut it down a few years and then we were avoiding being in crowds for a few years when it came back. But this year feeling all boosted and healthy we decided to go to the National Western Stock Show Kick-off Parade on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.
The Parade route in Denver is on 17th Street from Union Station to Glenarm Street and down 18th Street to McGregor Square. This year’s parade featured the 30 longhorn cattle herded by many cowboys and followed by many professional photographers, down the parade route. They are always an exciting sight to see!
The Stock Show runs through Jan. 21 at the National Western Complex, featuring everything from cattle auctions to professional rodeos, mutton busting, sheep shearing, and bluegrass. In the past we attended rodeos--see those blog posts here--and here --and a Draft Horse Show--post here.
An estimated 700,000 people visit the Stock Show each year in Denver. The event officially dates back to 1906, but there were earlier cattle shows and auctions in Denver as far back as 1874. The 2024 show runs through Jan. 21, 2024.
Mike Johnson, the Mayor of Denver, was also in the parade.
There is a definite Western flair to the parade!
Many horses and carriages passed by...
...as well as mini horses, a college mascot Ram, and a scooter-riding Bronco football mascot!
To see a video reel of this group of Westernaires passing by go to this link on my Mille Fiori Facebook page. Turn on the microphone icon on the upper right of the video.
Information from the Westernaires web site:
"We're a non-profit organization located in Golden, Colorado, comprised of over 1,000 dedicated young people, aged 9 to 19. We encourage self-respect, responsibility and leadership through horsemanship and family participation. Since 1949, Westernaires has proudly trained young people to use their talents and skills in the best traditions of the West.".
There were many men and women on horseback...
...as well as marching bands.
Another group of Westernaires pass by.
There were 59 different groups in the parade and traditional Mexican dancers performed, as did a group of Native Americans in traditional dress. To see a video reel of the Mexican dancers click this link on my Mille Fiori Favoriti Facebook page. To hear the Native Americans dancing and chanting go to this link. Be sure to click on the microphone icon in the upper right corner of each video to hear the sound.
There was a wonderful representation of 4 H groups. 4-H is a community of young people, across America, learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills, and in Colorado, it is supported by the Colorado State University Extension. It was the first time I saw chickens in the parade!
There were even some National Western Extreme Dog Show dogs in the parade.
More Westernaires...
...in a long line riding down 17th Street in Denver.
One of the last floats is usually the Grizzly Rose--a country music nightclub and dance hall in Denver that hosts country western music six nights a week.
With all the horses that passed by this becomes the final. well-needed sight following the parade is a parade of street cleaning vehicles!
As always we enjoyed the National Western Stock Show Kick-Off Parade, even though the chilly overcast skies made it the coldest one that we've experienced. It was good to finally put my gloves back on after taking so many photos! I hope you enjoyed seeing it here on my blog. I missed you all while on my holiday break and it's good to be back!
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26 comments:
Hello,
What a fun parade, I love seeing all the horses and those longhorn cattle are exciting to see. The Mexican dancers look pretty. Great collection of photos.
Take care, have a great week!
My friend in Louisville was telling me about this when we talked this weekend and from your photos I can see it is a huge big deal. It looks like great fun.
When I was younger, I worked at the National Western Stock Show every year. My last year being able to do so was 1999. I now live in northeastern Colorado close to the Wyoming and Nebraska borders. I enjoyed the photos.
That is quite the show parade. Very entertaining. Definitely need the street sweeper after. For our small parades we have people walking behind the horses etc. with a dust pan and broom. :)
What a great post looked like a lot of fun too I enjoyed all the photos thanks for sharing and Happy New Year :-)
Have a paradetastic week 👍
Wow! That must be really spectacular to see!
Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2024/01/metz-cathedral-gothic-masterpiece-known.html
Cool.
Something that I will never see here....quite a celebration
You have captured it beautifully. Thank you for sharing. Must have been fun!
What a great Post! Thank you for sharing your good times! I would've loved to have seen that myself. Horses, cattle, stage coach and everything totally F-U-N... THANKS AGAIN! AWESOME POST!!!! Bet you had a great time! Oh, and thanks for sharing!
That must be fun to see!
Love the costumes of those Mexican dancers.
Beautiful photos, Pat!
That looks like such a fun time.
What a great event, and so many cool photos. Your coverage is really nice. It must be cool to see the longhorns, we don't see those here is Wisconsin much. Now I want to see that parade too some year...
Wow that was an amazing parade. I realy wanted to be there
I really enjoyed your photos from this parade. I do fee for those marching people after all the horses have already left their calling cards on the pavement. But it's good that street sweepers follow the parade! The young people involved in different groups are good to see.
Beautiful blog
I think that parade is getting put on my bucket list.
We love Western too. I'm very late commenting today... I'm amazed at how quickly the days fly by again in the new year.
Your post is a feast for the eyes in many ways. A very welcome change when I look out of the window here at how rainy and dreary it is here. Well... it's January, it's winter time. It's supposed to get really cold in the next few days (-10 C°) and it's supposed to snow. Thank you for your contribution to
MosaicMonday
Once again, best wishes for a healthy, happy new year 2024,
Heidrun
We love Western too. I'm very late commenting today... I'm amazed at how quickly the days fly by again in the new year.
Your post is a feast for the eyes in many ways. A very welcome change when I look out of the window here at how rainy and dreary it is here. Well... it's January, it's winter time. It's supposed to get really cold in the next few days (-10 C°) and it's supposed to snow. Thank you for your contribution to
MosaicMonday
Once again, best wishes for a healthy, happy new year 2024,
Heidrun
I love long horn steer - fun parade..
What a fun parade.
Worth a Thousand Words
I love a parade. Never been to big livestock show.
Now that's something I would really like to see!! Great post.
That sure is an impressive parade. Loved the longhorn cattle and the draft horses and the beautiful costumes.
It really is wonderful that the City of Denver keeps its Western roots at its heart and the Stock Show and parade look like such entertains events (and educational as well). .I like very much how they include the different cultures that contribute to the city’s history (and it’s present) …I enjoyed both these posts. And look forward to coming back soon to catch up with your travels near and far.
This looks like such a wonderful, colourful display, Patricia! I saw longhorn cattle once in Fort Worth but they were just in pens. What a fun day out this must have been. Thank you for being a part of Hearth and Soul. I have highlighted your post in the Hearth and Soul Community on Facebook. Hope to see you at the party this month. It has just gone live now. Sending best wishes from across the pond!
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