Wrangler Rodeo Arena at Cowboy FanFest to Feature Exhibitions and Competitions that Bring Fans Close to Rodeo

LAS VEGAS

Wrangler Rodeo Arena presented by Priefert, one of the six main features of Cowboy FanFest, will bring mini-bull riding, exhibitions, horsemanship demonstrations and specialty acts direct to fans. The new Priefert Platform also allows fans to watch the action from a raised area overlooking the arena, with the comfort of round tables and ample seating. 

Free to the public, Cowboy FanFest is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily and features 100,000 square feet of the best of the Western lifestyle, giving fans a chance to enjoy the best that rodeo has to offer.  Located adjacent to the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show, Cowboy FanFest will run concurrently with the Wrangler NFR, from Thursday, Dec. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Wrangler Rodeo Arena, which boasts a seating capacity of 1,000, will host a variety of events. Highlights of the area include:

Wild Pony Races – Dec. 4, 6 and 7 at 11:45 a.m. (PT); Dec. 5 at 2:15 p.m. (PT)

Mini-Bucking Bulls – Dec. 4, 6-13 at 1 p.m. (PT)

Colt Starting Challenge – Dec. 6-8 at 2:15 p.m. (PT)

Chris Cox Team Roping Horsemanship – Dec. 8 at 11:45 a.m. and Dec. 13 at 10:30 a.m. (PT)

Craig Cameron Horsemanship Demonstration – Dec. 9 at 2:15 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m. (PT)

All American Cowgirl Chicks – Dec. 9 and 12 at 10:30 a.m. (PT), Dec. 10 at 2:15 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m. (PT)

Ranch Sorting – Dec. 10-13 at 11:45 a.m. (PT)

Indian National Finals Rodeo Demonstration – Dec. 11 at 2:15 p.m. (PT)

Individual events include the Miss Rodeo America Horsemanship Competition on Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. (PT) and Flag Girl Competition on Dec. 9 at 11:45 a.m (PT). The popular Exceptional Rodeo presented by NV Energy Foundation will take place Monday, Dec. 8 at 10:30 a.m. (PT).

The Roy Cooper Junior Invitational Vegas 2014 presented by Wrangler will be held Dec. 12 and 13 at 2:30 p.m. (PT).

In addition to Wrangler Rodeo Arena, Cowboy FanFest will include the following main anchor displays and programming elements: 

·      Rodeo Live presented by Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – Daily features include live acoustic performances, Flint Rasmussen with his popular show, “Outside the Barrel,” “Alexis Bloomer Live” and RFD-TV’s Western Sports Roundup;

·      Boot Barn Rodeo Saloon – Every great party needs a saloon. Located in the center of Cowboy FanFest, the Saloon features food vendors and video screens with a replay of the prior night’s Wrangler NFR performance;

·      Lucas Oil Rodeo Way – This “Old West” setting features 12 interactive industry and rodeo exhibits including Calgary Stampede, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Experience Kissimmee, Frontier Rodeo, Helldorado, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, INFR, Pendleton Roundup, NFR after Dark, San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, Southeast Montana, and the newest addition – The Rope ‘Em in Wedding Chapel powered by Zappos.com;

·      NFR Social Arena – This area will feature an interactive photo booth, contestant and musician autograph sessions, giveaways and contests, including the new daily Pick 7 promotion for rodeo fans;

·      Great Wall of Rodeo presented by Calgary Stampede – This fan favorite features a graphic of all 119 Wrangler NFR contestants and other interactive elements.

Gold, Silver and Bronze buckle level sponsors include Academy of Country Music, Bloomer Trailers, Browning, Boot Barn, B&W Trailer Hitches, Calgary Stampede, Coors, Crown Royal/Diageo, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Lucas Oil, NV Energy Foundation, Priefert, PrimeSport, Purina, Pro Fantasy Rodeo, Ram Rodeo, RFD-TV, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Signature Quarters, Total Equine, Wrangler and Zappos.com.

Sold out for 280 consecutive performances, the Wrangler NFR attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding as they compete for a share of the $6.375 million purse.  Qualification is based on the 2014 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association World Standings.

For more information on the Wrangler NFR and Cowboy FanFest, please visit www.NFRexperience.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR.

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About Las Vegas Events

Las Vegas Events is a private, not-for-profit organization that serves as the exclusive major special events agency for the city.  Founded in 1982, LVE is funded by hotel room tax.  Through its Signature Event initiative, LVE has created a model to integrate all elements of special events and formally improve communication between event producers and Las Vegas’ hotel properties and sponsors.  Since 1991, Las Vegas Events has produced, presented or supported more than 600 events.

www.lasvegasevents.com

About the Wrangler NFR

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR), considered the world’s premier rodeo, features 10 straight days of the best in rodeo competition, with a total of 120 contestants competing every night in seven events.  Each December, the top 15 contestants, based on the 2014 PRCA World Standings, in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding qualify to compete at the Wrangler NFR.

www.prorodeo.com