NFR Viewing Party Experience

By Patrick Everson

Every year, the viewing party experience for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo gets better. If you can’t get go-round tickets to the Thomas & Mack Center, then the viewing parties are an outstanding backup plan.

In fact, sometimes the watch parties are even better. Seemingly every year, there are more venues added to the list. And as it turns out, one of the newest parties is quickly ascending the ladder as one of the best.

Friday night, the joint was jumping at the Dawg House Saloon inside Resorts World. To say it’s an excellent set-up is an understatement. A huge big screen, several smaller – but still big – TVs spread around the room, great sightlines all around, and of course plenty of food and drink.

“We were told Resorts World was a great place for a watch party. So this is the first time we’re trying it,” Tami Condon said from her front-and center table with a few more members of the Tarleton State University Alumni Association. “This is amazing. It’s a front-row seat with a huge screen.”

Cindy Hess, director of admissions at Tarleton State, was equally impressed.

“It’s up close and personal. It’s nothing like being at home watching on TV. It’s even better,” Hess said. “And you’re surrounded by everybody who wants to be here. You feel like you’re a part of the rodeo, even though you’re not there.”

Friday night’s second go-round couldn’t have turned out much better for this group from Stephenville and Fort Worth, Texas. That’s because Tarleton State product Brody Wells spurred Pretty Woman to 90 points to win the round and a check for $33,687.

Sure, this group of Tarleton alums would’ve loved to see Wells win it in person. But the Dawg House Saloon was more than adequate.

“It’s the next-best thing to being there,” Condon said.

For more on great Wrangler NFR viewing parties around town, check out the full report in Monday’s Review-Journal or at reviewjournal.com.