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!
You can also find me on:
I'm linking with:
Mosaic Monday, Blue Monday, Through My Lens Monday, Hearth, and Soul Link Party, You Are the Star Blog Hop, Inspire Me Monday, Nature Notes, Home Matters Linky Party, Senior Salon Pit Stop, Good Random Fun, Happiness Is Homemade, Ruby Tuesday, Tuesdays With A Twist, Wordless Wednesday on a Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday 2, Wednesday My Corner of the World, Wonderful Wednesday, Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Skywatch Friday, Friendship Fridays, Fantastic Friday, Saturday Sparks, Sunday on Silverado
Posts
