Denver, CO – It is officially time to take down your Christmas lights; the 118h National Western Stock Show, presented by CommonSpirit Health, has come to a close. The 2024 Stock Show welcomed over 671,000 guests during the 16-day celebration. Despite the frigid cold temperatures, Stock Show fans of all ages and different communities dusted off their hats and boots to celebrate Colorado’s long-standing Western tradition. Management, staff, volunteers and countless others who organize and support the annual agricultural event are grateful and amazed by the support from the ticket buyers to the livestock buyers.
The 2024 Stock Show hosted 671,467 visitors over 16 days, which is in the top ten attendance numbers overall. This show faced several challenges with record-low frigid temperatures; however, in the end, fans enjoyed heartwarming family entertainment and red-hot competitions. The all-time attendance record of 726,972 guests set in 2006 during the 100th Anniversary still stands. “We have been fortunate to see record-breaking attendance year over year,” said Paul Andrews, President & CEO of the National Western Stock Show. “Every guest that comes through our gates is a valued part of our Stock Show family, and we appreciate every single one of those who came out this year,” said Andrews.
This year, the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions’ 98 animals totaled $1,374,000, marking the 2024 livestock show as the 2nd highest sale in Stock Show history. The proceeds of the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions presented by BOK Financial go towards the NW Scholarship Trust.
There are three major funding events for the National Western Scholarship Trust. The Citizens of the West dinner, honoring General Ralph E. “Ed” Eberhart, the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale tallied $835,500 in sales to date and the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions.
“These three events fund 120 scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $15,000 per student,” Andrews said. “We are incredibly grateful to all the supporters who contribute to these events. They are directly funding the future of agriculture by helping students studying in the fields of agriculture and rural medicine.”
Andrews contributes the success of the Stock Show to the dedication and hard work of hundreds of volunteers and staff, the support of the City of Denver, the WSSA Board of Directors, sponsor partners, and the livestock, horse, and rodeo committees.
Save the date, the 119th National Western Stock Show is January 11- 26, 2025.
About the National Western Stock Show
Established in 1906, the National Western Stock Show is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides college and graduate-level scholarships in agricultural science, business, and rural medicine. Our mission is to serve producers and consumers worldwide by being the premier annual livestock show and center for year-round events. The 16-day show in January also serves as an entertainment arena, hosting one of the world’s richest regular-season professional rodeos, world-class horse shows, family educational events, and Colorado’s largest western trade show. For more information, visit nationalwestern.com.