DENVER—Longhorn steer were herded through downtown Denver Thursday as the city welcomed the return of the National Western Stock Show.
Cowgirls and cowboys rode on horseback from the city’s historic Union Station to the state Capitol and bands carefully marched behind them in the event’s opening parade.
The stock show, in its 105th year, officially opens Saturday and runs through Jan. 23. Dubbed the “Super Bowl” of stock shows, it features rodeos as well as events like sheep shearing contests and dog agility contests.
More than 15,000 livestock, including llamas and bison, are expected to pass through the grounds of the stock show.
Each year the steer named grand champion is escorted down a red carpet into the lobby of the luxurious Brown Palace Hotel.
