When outsiders to the ranching and agriculture industries walk into the National Western Stock Show, they are greeted by a mass of tough-looking cowboys and a chorus of mooing and braying livestock.
The scene can be a little intimidating, spokeswoman Kati Anderson said.
So stock show organizers have made an effort to increase the number of audience-participation events meant to introduce the world of agriculture to newcomers on a small level. Their hope is to draw more city residents to the stock show.
“Basically, we believe stock show visitors will have more memorable experiences and be better able to understand the agricultural industry and the role the agricultural producer plays in society when they actually get to participate in some of the activities,” Anderson said.
The number of participatory events has been increasing steadily over the years, Anderson said.
The best known — and probably most photographed — is the mutton bustin’ competition, where children ages 5-7 ride a sheep like a bull rider.
Mutton bustin’ is so popular, parents usually need to sign their kids up in advance, though a first come, first serve session has been added on Tuesday.
But despite its popularity with kids, parents are not that crazy about the event, education coordinator Angie Cue said.
For those parents who manage to steer their kids away from mutton bustin’, there are tamer ways to get close to the animals.
Kids can, for instance, feed orphaned calves and lambs in the Children’s Ranchland, Cue said.
There are also various daily events at the Ames Activity Pavilion, including watching the transformation of a cowboy into a rodeo clown and stick horse rodeos and races.
For older folks who would look a little silly running around on a stick horse, quarter horse exhibitors will give free rides on their show horses Saturday night in the main arena.
“It’s really about giving people more for the price of their admission ticket,” Cue said.
Most of the events are included in the ticket price, but others cost extra, such as the “Dress Western” barbecue lunch.
The lunch accompanies the annual stock show parade through downtown Denver — scheduled this year for Tuesday — and costs $8, Anderson said. The lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. in the atrium of the Wells Fargo Building, 17th and Broadway.
There will also be nondenominational religious services every Sunday morning of the stock show.
“We want to have something for everyone and increase the learning opportunities as well as the enjoyment our visitors leave with,” Anderson said.
“This is a unique chance for people to come in close contact with a lifestyle they probably don’t see on a regular basis.”
Cassie Hewlings: 303-954-1638 or chewlings@denverpost.com
