Sam’s Town, The Orleans, Eastside Cannery, Gold Coast offer pages and pages of hot spots

When a Boyd Gaming executive responds to an inquire about what there will be to do at their hotels, casinos, saloons and gambling halls during the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with page upon pages of information, it’s a pretty safe bet that NFR fans should spend a time or two around them parts.

Boyd Gaming—founded by the legendary rodeo and NFR Boyd family–owns and operates Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, The Orleans Hotel & Casino, Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, and Eastside Cannery Hotel & Casino.

Each will offer various viewing parties, live entertainment, pre, during and post-NFR bashes and much, much more including options for the lil’ buckaroos.

“It’s always exciting to welcome all the rodeo fans back to Las Vegas for the biggest rodeo event of the year,” says Jackie Ferrando, Boyd Gaming’s events director. “Las Vegas began as a cowboy town, and it’s thrilling to continue the Western lifestyle tradition and watch it all come back to life each year.”

A great quote from Jackie, as good an NFR operator as there is in Las Vegas, but her dizzying array of information leaves us with an important question …

Where do we begin this Boyd Gaming rendition of Hurly’s Hot Spots?

Without farther ado …

The Orleans — A Rodeo Mardi Gras

Well, there’s only one way to begin, and that’s at The Orleans with arguably the top NFR after party in the city. The 21-and-over Buckin’ Bash – hosted by Justin Rumford –goes strong nightly from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. at The Orleans Bourbon Street Lounge and features a nightly celebrity toast, drink specials and a whole lot of goings on, which has earned the “bash” a reputation as a place to be and be seen while dancin’, drinkin’ and carryin’ on.

Rumford—the Rumpshaker—is third-generation rodeo and one of the top barrelman and clowns in the PRCA. Hilarity, frivolity and a lot of action usually ensues when Rumford is around, and he’s as good as it gets in getting the party started.

Floyd Rumford, Justin’s grandfather, started Rumford Rodeo Company in the 1950s and Bronc, Justin’s father, now runs the company. In 2013, Rumford was named PRCA Clown of the Year, the highest honor in the biz, but arguably his best accomplishment was marrying Ashley, the 2005 Miss Oklahoma Queen, who now helps Rumford with his business.

For serious rodeo fans, the nightly NFR recap show, National Finals Tonight with Don Gay and Joe Beaver plus special appearances, is at the Honky Tonk Saloon at 10:30 p.m.

The Orleans also features live music and DJs:

Felice Garcia – Dec. 5 – 7

Vanessa LeGrand – Dec. 12 – 14

DJ Peter Radd — Dec. 7 & 13 (Between Live Artist Sets)

DJ Riano – Dec. 8 – 12, 14 & 15 (Between Live Artist Sets)

A nightly family-friendly viewing party is at The Orleans Showroom at 5 p.m.

The extremely popular ALL IN Barrel Race and Breakaway Roping is Dec. 5-15 at The Orleans Arena with free admission.

Expected are approximately 1,250 barrel racers form all across the USA and a total prize payout of more than over $700,000. Each racer gets two go-round runs and then the top 150 qualifying back to a Showdown Round.

ALL IN Barrel Race dates are Dec. 5-7, 9-11 and 13-15 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The new addition this year is the ALL IN Breakaway Roping and 300 competitors from across the USA are expected to go for a guaranteed purse of more than $100,000.

Each competitor gets two go-rounds and the top 100 qualify back for a Showdown Round.

Event Dates are Dec 9-11 at 6 p.m.

All details at LVbarrelrace.com and allinbreakaway.com

Sam’s Town – It’s About Gamblin’ Halls and Saloons

As at The Orleans, there is no cover charge for the parties at Sam’s Town, which feature a nightly family-friendly viewing party hosted by Judy Cooper in the Hawthorne room at 5:30 p.m.

NOTE: all officially-sanctioned Wrangler NFR viewing parties around Las Vegas feature the in-arena video feed.

In Roxy’s Saloon is the 21-and-over Sam’s Town viewing party nightly at 5 p.m. Roxy’s Saloon also features live entertainment throughout the week:

Randy Anderson Band – Dec. 5 – 14 (2 p.m. – 6 p.m.)

SJ & The Ruckus — Dec. 5 – 7 (9:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.)

DooWah Riders – Dec. 8 – 14 (9:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.)

Boarding them horses – Sam’s Town and Eastide Cannery

Sam’s Town Stables feature Sam’s Town & Eastside Cannery horse stall rentals and oversize and truck parking.

Eastside Cannery – It’s in the Action

Watch the NFR action at the Eastside Cannery nightly viewing party at 5 p.m. in Marilyn’s Lounge.

Eastside Cannery also offers live music in Marilyn’s Lounge nightly.

Chase & The Pursuit — Dec. 5 & 6 (9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.)

Ghost Town Riders – Dec. 7 – 9 (9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.)

Brett Rigby – Dec. 10 – 14 (9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.)

Gold Coast – It’s a Golden Time

A Gold Coast nightly viewing party is at the Red Zone and offers food and drink specials and other fun.

The Gold Coast is also home to a world-class bowling center, which hosts the annual Bob Tallman Wrangler NFR Charity Bowling Tournament Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The event supports the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund and Speedway Children’s Charities. Spectators are welcome and bowling spots are available for a fee.

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Author: Brian “Hurly” Hurlburt

Brian “Hurly” Hurlburt has been covering the city that glitters, Las Vegas, from all the angles for 25 years, and is the editor and project manager for the NFR BLVD preview and NFR Rewind review magazines.