National Western Stock Show Cancels for 2021
The National Western Stock Show (NWSS) has canceled for 2021. Show management announced the difficult decision to postpone the 115th National Western Stock Show held each January in Denver, Colo., by one year and to resume the event in January 2022.
“Over the past several months, we reviewed and exhausted every option possible to host our event including a modified show with reduced capacity,” said Paul Andrews, President and CEO of the NWSS, in a release. “Ultimately, the health and safety of our guests, exhibitors, volunteers, and staff is of top priority and the NWSS and the City of Denver could not find a path forward to have Stock Show and comply with the rules that govern gatherings of our size and rules of social distancing.”
The COVID-19 pandemic does not allow for the stock show to host the annual event while complying with the health and safety guidelines that are necessary to protect the state and slow the spread of the virus.
According to a NWSS release, the projected environment through the end of the year is too uncertain.
“The decision to postpone the 2021 Stock Show is incredibly difficult for our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, business partners and the City and County of Denver,” Doug Jones, Chairman of the Western Stock Show Association, said in the release. “The iconic western events and traditions we all know and love will be back in 2022, stronger than ever."
Management said they made the decision early due to the intense planning and expenses that go into the NWSS.
“We needed to make sure we announced early enough so all the livestock producers, contestants, competitors, and exhibitors do not incur time and cost they can’t recover,” Andrews said in the release. “As an indoor event in the heart of winter, we had to consider the virus could be spread more easily indoors, potentially compromising the safety and health of thousands of people.”
NWSS draws over 700,000 attendees during the 16-day event in January with record days seeing over 65,000 guests on site, the release said. The show drives an economic impact of nearly $120 million in January.
The 2022 event will take place January 8-23.
More from Farm Journal's PORK:
Will COVID-19 Forever Change Livestock Shows?
A Conflicted Mom’s Take on Showing Livestock During COVID
State Fair Cancellations Shatter Dreams Across the Country
Why COVID-19 Relief Should Include America’s Agricultural Fairs
