The National Finals Rodeo , often referred to as the “Super Bowl of Rodeo”, will be held from Dec. 4 -13 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The NFR is the premier championship of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, showcasing the top 15 money winners in the season for each event.
The event, only a two and a half hour drive from Cedar City, will feature ten nights of rodeo, special events and concerts. Tickets as low as $240 are available for Saturday and $140 for Sunday. Those who are unable to visit Las Vegas can watch on cable or satellite TV with the Cowboy Channel, or purchase a subscription for Cowboy Channel+.
Rodeo events include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping and barrel racing.
Non-rodeo events include Cowboy Christmas, which will take place each day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It features over 375 vendors spread across the Las Vegas Convention Center. The event is open to the public at no charge, and it is a great opportunity to do some western Christmas shopping.
“Attendees can find unique products including custom-made jewelry, western wear, boots and spurs, furniture, original art, handmade crafts and home goods,” as said on the NFR website.
To end each day, concerts will take place across Las Vegas. Performers including Lainey Wilson, Brad Paisley, Wayne Brady and Mariah Carey will be performing over the nine day event.
Ned Ledoux, son of 1976 NFR bareback champion and country music legend, Chris LeDoux, will deliver a live performance at the Silverton Casino on Dec. 4 and 5. The event is free to the public.
This is the NFR’s 66th anniversary, and 40th year in Las Vegas. The NFR is a great way to experience the culture of the West. Of the 119 contestants, three are from Utah, two of which are from Beaver. For more information, visit the NFR website.
Author: Jimmy Ruble
Photo: Courtesy of Cowboys and Indians Magazine, The NFR Experience and Holler
Editor: Briar Adams
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