NFR Viewing Parties

By Patrick Everson

Each night of the Wrangler National Rodeo, 18,000 people pack the Thomas & Mack. That’s full capacity for the venue.

So what do you do if you’re among the other couple hundred thousand in town?

Most of you already know the answer to that question: Go to any of the myriad viewing parties.

But which one? Each year during the NFR, as your intrepid reporter, I endeavor to go to multiple viewing parties in a single night. I did that once again on Friday night.

Obviously, at least once during you’re visit, you’ve got to hit the South Point viewing parties. Specifically, the South Point Showroom is an outstanding place to post up all night, for the viewing party, then the go-round buckle presentation, followed by a concert.

So get that on your list.

However, this year, for the first time, I checked out the Rio Round-Up at Rio Hotel & Casino, and I was pleasantly surprised. Like South Point, there’s free parking. It sounds trivial, but it’s important. Gotta start off on the right foot, you know?

And like South Point, it’s a helluva scene.

On this Friday night, it is packed. There are boatloads of fans at this party, of all ages. So while I’m just learning about it, clearly the word on the street is that the Rio Round-Up is the place to go for the rodeo.

Emcee Matt Merritt keeps things lively for the throng during NFR commercial breaks, and the crowd is thoroughly into it when the action goes live.

Jenna and Craig Moore are here from Johnson City, Texas, joined by friends Stefanie and Matt Medland from Spring, Texas. It’s Jenna’s 15^th trip to Vegas for the NFR, so she’s taken in many viewing parties over those years.

This one is a big-time up-and-comer.

“I think they’re really going in the right direction,” Jenna says. “I like that you have the option to get a VIP table – get a little food and something to drink.

“They do a really good job of making it authentic. So it feels like you’re at the rodeo. It’s all about authenticity.”

Matt’s been out here for the NFR off and on since 2001, so he’s no viewing party rookie, either. He particularly likes the Rio Round-Up’s emcee.

“Matt Merritt knows what he’s talking about,” he says, before providing some general commentary. “This is all pretty good. Obviously, they’re serving beer.”

Yep, obvious by the fact that there are a few brews on their table.

“I like the facilities here. I’m not complaining. I think it’s awesome,” Matt says.

As do I. So put this one on your list. For more on a few other great NFR viewing parties, check out the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s NFR coverage for my complete report from a raucous Friday night.