2025 Downtown Hoedown

Dec 4, 2025

By Patrick Everson

Rodeo fans are party fans. And nothing says party quite like Las Vegas. More so, nothing says party like the Fremont Street Experience.

And the fans know it. For years now, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo has kicked off with the Downtown Hoedown, on the Wednesday night before the first go-round. This year’s Hoedown got things started in a big, boisterous way, with concerts from Corey Kent, Josh Ross, Mackenzie Carpenter and Midland.

Matthew Andrews and wife Carmen Andrews made the relatively short trek to Vegas from Santa Clarita, Calif. It’s the fourth year they’ve come to town during NFR week, yet they’ve never attended an NFR performance.

Matthew and Carmen Andrews get their country on during the Corey Kent concert at the Downtown Hoedown at Fremont Street Experience on Wednesday night. | Photo By: Patrick Everson

Rather, they soak in everything else, particularly concerts from their favorite Country & Western artists. This year, though, marked the first time they took in the Downtown Hoedown.

“This is great. We used to always watch it on YouTube,” Matthew said while indulging in an adult beverage. “We love it here on Fremont Street. Cheaper food, cheaper drinks and free music.”

Carmen was most into the music component of Wednesday night’s festivities.

“I love it. It’s so enjoyable. I like the music the most,” she said.

Good thing, too, because the couple is heading to see Brad Paisley on Thursday, Old Dominion on Friday and Tim McGraw on Saturday.

“But you can’t beat this either, tonight. And they’re all free. Fremont Street does it right,” Matthew said.

Gary and Christie Narum made a much longer journey to Vegas, coming from Douglas, North Dakota. Along with presumably much better weather than in the Dakotas, the Narums echoed the sentiments of the Andrews.

A solid crowd takes in the Corey Kent concert Wednesday night at the Downtown Hoedown to kick off the 2025 Wrangler NFR. | Photo By Patrick Everson

“I think it’s great,” Gary said. “You’ve got a free concert right here on the street. You don’t even have to pay to watch it. And you can walk and get a beer wherever you want.”

The Downtown Hoedown often showcases up-and-comers in the country music world, including the aforementioned Corey Kent and his band, who were belting it out, much to the crowd’s delight.

“I like to hear the new bands who are coming out. You get four free concerts,” Christie said. “We’ve only been out here for an hour, but it’s great so far. I’m sure it’s gonna get better as the night goes on.”

You could stamp that as a mantra of the Wrangler NFR, celebrating it’s 40^th year in Vegas: It’s gonna get better as the night goes on.