Cold chills show
The arctic weather over the weekend depressed National Western Stock Show attendance, but not as much as officials had feared.
Saturday saw 58,630 visitors, down from last year’s record high of 67,102 for the same date. Sunday, with slush and snow covering parking lots and surrounding roads much of the day, there were 46,129 visitors, down from 59,777 a year ago.
Monday, roads and parking lots were clear and dry, and by mid-afternoon the buildings and stockyard returned to its normal buzz of humans and animals.
CSU to honor 4-H
Colorado’s 4-H participants will get a special day on Thursday at the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo, thanks in part to Colorado State University.
There will be a 4-H booth set up at the Colorado State University exhibition table located on the third floor of the Expo Hall, and a special recognition of Colorado 4-H participants is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Colorado’s 4-H Youth Development program, which operates through CSU Cooperative Extension, serves more than 88,000 Colorado youths, more than half in urban areas.
Facts of farm life
Five-year-old Meghan Miller of Denver held her nose near the pig pens in Stadium Hall at the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo Monday.
“Peee-yew,” she told her cousin, Heather Damon, 6, of Boulder County.
“That’s where bacon comes from,” Heather told Meghan.
Meghan looked back as two fat pigs wallowed in the hay.
“That must take a lot of ears,” she said.
“Idol” execs MIA
The producers of “American Idol,” who were expected over the weekend at the National Western Complex in search of a new reality television star, were nowhere to be found.
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 producers are in the middle of a national search.
The show is being produced by FremantleMedia, best known for “American Idol.” Telephone calls seeking comment from FremantleMedia were not returned.
Go green with CSU
Colorado State University’s Institute for the Built Environment will provide educational material for people interested in green buildings at the university’s booth at the Great Western Stock Show & Rodeo on Thursday.
The Institute is devoted to advancing research and education about creating buildings that are sustainable and supportive to the environment.
The institute will display information about current projects and research including details about CSU student involvement in the green Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
7:00 a.m.: USEF Open Performance Classes
8 a.m.: National Red Angus Junior Heifer Show – Followed by Open Show; Pen of Three and Five Prospect Calf Show; Simmental Junior Breeding Heifer Show – Followed by Bull Show
9 a.m.: Junior Market Swine Show
2 p.m.: ProRodeo
4 p.m.: Pen of Three and Five Prospect Calf Sale
6 p.m.: Super Dogs
7 p.m.: Junior Market Swine Championship Selection
7:30 p.m.: ProRodeo
