Farmer auditions
The producers of “American Idol” are expected to visit the National Western Complex over the weekend in search of the next reality television star.
And they want that star to be a single farmer looking for a serious girlfriend.
The show, “Farmer Wants a Wife,” will pair young, “spirited” farmers looking for a long- term relationship with women “from all walks of life” who are intrigued by a small-town, rural lifestyle.
The show, which has yet to find a network home, is being produced by FremantleMedia, best known for “American Idol.” Other FremantleMedia shows include “American Inventor,” “The Price Is Right” and “Family Feud.”
Clowns and kids
An 800-pound bull or a strapping cowboy in chaps rarely attracts a glance at the stock show. But a bunch of clowns still elicits chuckles.
Members of the El Jebel Shrine clown team took the spotlight from all the exhibitors and animals Thursday as they clomped through the exhibit hall entertaining children.
David Moormann, 35, is the youngest among the El Jebel crew. But on Thursday, he displayed his mastery of the veterans’ techniques by showing off his ugly, red shoes and a hideously off-color plaid jacket to anyone working around the animal stalls.
“I wear it well, don’t you think?” Moormann said. “We like to entertain the kids that are here, and it’s a good time for us as well.”
Green energy
An exhibit that is getting more popular is one sponsored by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden.
A workshop last year that tutored farmers and ranchers on the variety of energy-efficient technologies available to them through government grants attracted 120, said Ivilina Thornton, a spokeswoman for the lab.
This year’s workshop is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at the exhibit hall.
Farmers and ranchers are attracted to the savings and independence provided by solar and wind power, Thornton said. “For some, wind is the answer to high oil and gas prices, and for others, it’s solar power.”
Cowboy comforts
Plenty of exhibitors are at the National Western Stock Show to show off the usual fare – saddles and boots, jeans and blankets and anything else a cowboy needs on the range.
But this is the 21st century, and with the new millennium come products for cowboys that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.
Among the booths at the exhibit hall include ones for hot tubs, kitchen crafts, books, hand cream, hair gels, feather beds and fancy coffee. The exhibitor booth for “Cowboy Coffee Cappuccino” was one of the most popular places Thursday.
Indeed, in the middle of a sheep-shearing demonstration Thursday afternoon, a teenage girl turned to a friend and said: “I’m bored. I want a latte.”
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
7:30 a.m.: Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest
8 a.m.: Angus Bull Show; Braunvieh Show; Hereford Female Show; Hunter/Jumper Classes
10 a.m.: Denver National Maine-Anjou & MaineTainer Pen Heifer Show
Noon: Colorado Angus Association Foundation Female Sale
2 p.m.: ProRodeo
5 p.m.: Llama Show
6 p.m.: Hereford Sale
7:30 p.m.: National Western Gambler’s Choice Open Jumper Stake; ProRodeo
