Cowboy Christmas and Cowboy FanFest Enjoy Record Attendance on Saturday

Las Vegas, NV

LAS VEGAS (December 9, 2012) – The opening Saturday of the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show and Cowboy FanFest, the newest addition to the Wrangler NFR, brought record crowds to the Las Vegas Convention Center.  Total attendance reached 31,119, besting the previous record attendance of 28,419 set in 2007.

Over three days, total attendance at Cowboy Christmas and FanFest has reached 51,837, up from 47,723 in 2011.

With more than 300,000 square feet of show floor and just under 400 exhibitors from across the United States and Canada, the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show features unique products, including custom-made jewelry, western wear, boots and spurs, furniture, original art, handmade crafts and home goods.  Attendees will also find the best source for the official Wrangler NFR and PRCA merchandise. 

Adjacent to Cowboy Christmas,  Cowboy FanFest adds 100,000 square feet of the best of the Western lifestyle, giving fans a chance to enjoy the best that rodeo has to offer.  Cowboy FanFest features live concerts at the Rodeo Live/ACM Concert Stage, demonstrations, clinics and mutton bustin’ in the Rodeo Arena, exhibits in Rodeo Way, fan interactive booths and much more. 

Cowboy Christmas and FanFest run concurrently with the Wrangler NFR, from Thursday, Dec. 6 through Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Las Vegas ConventionCenter. Both are open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and offer free admission.

A full diagram of Cowboy FanFest can be found at www.NFRexperience.com.  The full schedule of events is also available at the website and through the NFR App.  Apple users can access at www.NFRapp.com/itunes.  For all others, simply go towww.NFRapp.com through your mobile web browser.

Sold out for 260 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 $6.125 million purse.  Qualification is based on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association World Standings.

For more information on the Wrangler NFR, Cowboy Christmas and Cowboy FanFest, please visit www.NFRexperience.com.

###

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 2012 PRCA World Standings, in bareback riding, steer wrestling, teamroping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding qualify to compete at the Wrangler NFR.