The sound of spurs jingling through the hallway, Christmas lights decorating every square inch of each hotel, the excitement of hopeful families and friends for hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls can only mean one thing—It’s time for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas!

 I have traveled out to Las Vegas for many different work related shows, however, the NFR is my absolute favorite time in this dazzling city. This year again brought me to Nevada, to further our business development for Backwoods Promotions. Along the way I visited many of my associates and friends who attend every year for both work trips as well to meet up with far away friends, family, and the rodeo itself  - held at Tomas and Mack Center on UNLV campus. 

There is no other time I love more than visiting Las Vegas in December. My most favorite display is at the Bellagio, a hotel located on the strip itself. I also love visiting their floral gardens. The smell alone of fresh cut flowers is mesmerizing, and the massive displays of polar bears, Santa’s sleigh, and reindeer will leave any bystander in awe. Even a few doors down at the Mirage Casino, penguins wear red felt cowboy hats to commemorate the holiday and the rodeo itself. 

 If you’ve attended a large rodeo before you know how emotional every ride can be, especially watching the timer click up to 8 seconds. If you have visited Las Vegas before you also know how dazzling the city is at night. Now amplify that with more than 170,000 eager folks in town to celebrate a rodeo and you have the NFR! I encourage anyone who has not attended to put it on their schedule for 2020. 

For those who have attended, or those who have not, here are some fun facts about this unique event: 

• $10 Million Dollars - The total prize money up for grabs at the NFR for its contestants. (Talk about a nice Christmas gift for you and yours!)
• 2,000 tons - Tons of Dirt (can you imagine vacuuming that up?) inside and out to prepare the Tomas and Mack Center for the rodeo. 
• 39 Finalists - The competitors who have qualified for the first time. This includes 11 team ropers, 7 bull riders, and 6 barrel racers (or as I like to call them “can chasers”)
• 32 Years - 2019 marks the 32nd year the NFR will be in Las Vegas. Did you know that it used to be held in Oklahoma City until 1987? To date this event is the largest client for the Thomas and Mack Center.
  

By: Cotter Graham
Sales & Business Development Manager 
Backwoods Promotions Inc.

Given our ongoing work in the agriculture industry and at rodeo events, this event was a perfect one to attend and just take in the sights, smells and sounds of Las Vegas combined with high stakes rodeo action. At the end of the day, we at Backwoods Promotions are enthusiasts first, and so whether we are working an event, or just attending it for fun, we love every minute of it and can’t wait until the next one!