As 30 longhorns made an unwieldy turn at Wynkoop and 17th streets at lunchtime today, cattle driver Justin Johnson of Ellicott backed his white horse almost to the sidewalk as he waved his lariat at the herd.
“It’s a great day for a parade,” he said to the children watching the National Western Stock Show Parade downtown.
And that’s no bull.
The weather was nippy but nice as thousands of city slickers stood four and five bodies deep in some places along the 15-block parade route.
The parade of 50 floats, bands and antique vehicles featured grand marshal Nolan Ryan, the Hall of Fame baseball pitcher and Texas cattleman.
In the old days, cowboys waved their hats as cattle rolled into town. On Tuesday, folks lifted their cellphones to capture images of the spectacle.
“I’ve never seen a cow in person in my life,” said Michelle Ng, a Denver transplant who grew up in Greenwich, Conn.
Delighted children were potential customers for the Stock Show, which puts heavy emphasis on education about the West’s ranchland heritage.
“We come every year,” said Bob Thatcher of Centennial, as he rode herd over a half-dozen children. “I want them to appreciate where they live and where their dinner comes from.”
His daughter, Skyler, 5, had other ideas.
“I want to ride one,” she said of the Texas longhorn herd, tugging on her father’s trouser leg. “I can hold onto the handle bars.”
The children in the massive crowd weren’t missed by stock show president and chief executive Pat Grant, who hollered himself nearly hoarse at the young fans.
“Happy Stock Show,” he called out. “Come out and see us. You’ll love it.”
The stock show runs through Jan. 27 at the National Western Complex at Interstate 70 and Brighton Boulevard.
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com
