Haylee Taylor

As part of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo’s move to Texas in 2020, its most popular ancillary event – Cowboy Christmas – is starting to take shape at the Fort Worth Convention Center, located in Downtown Fort Worth. The initial exhibitor list is now available here.

Through a partnership with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Las Vegas Events, Cowboy Christmas will run concurrently with the Wrangler NFR, Dec. 3-12, 2020. This year, the show offers more than 250,000 square feet of exhibit space and more than 225 exhibitors.

Held every year since 1986, Cowboy Christmas has grown into the ultimate shopping and interactive experience. Attendees will find unique products, including custom-made jewelry, Western wear, boots and spurs, furniture, original art, handmade crafts and home goods. Cowboy Christmas also offers the best source for official Wrangler NFR and PRCA merchandise. Cowboy Christmas is open from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily with free admission.

In addition to the shopping, attendees will find a variety of entertainment and offerings. The Rodeo Live Stage presented by RMEF will host two live daily shows, including Outside the Barrel with Flint Rasmussen and Cowboy Revival with host Shane Minor.

NFR Central, an area featuring interactive displays, live acoustic sets, radio remotes and autograph sessions will be located in the heart of Cowboy Christmas. Across the aisle from NFR Central is All Roads Lead to Vegas, an interactive area with giveaways, video content and information on the Wrangler NFR and Cowboy Christmas in 2021.

For more information on Cowboy Christmas and the Wrangler NFR, please visit www.NFRexperience.com and www.VegasNFR.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR.

The barrelman, pick-up man, bullfighters and photographers for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Dec. 3-12, were announced by the PRCA, Oct. 16.

RELATED: PRCA announces 2020 award nominees

Additionally, the photographer for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Nov. 6-7, and the photographer for the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Dec. 8-10, were announced:

They are as follows:

Bullfighters
Cody Webster
Dusty Tuckness
Nathan Jestes

Barrelman
John Harrison

Pick-up Men
Jason Bottoms
Shawn ‘Too Tall’ Calhoun
Brent Sutton

Photographers
Wrangler NFR
Steve Gray
Roseanna Sales
Clay Guardipee
Alaina Stangle

Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping
Rod Connor

Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping
Joe Duty

The rest of the contract personnel for the Wrangler NFR at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Dec. 3-12, were announced Sept. 24. They were:

Announcers: Roger Mooney, Andy Seiler, Bob Tallman
Music Director: Benje Bendele
Secretary: Sunni Deb Backstrom
Assistant Secretary: Amanda Sanders
Timers: Toby Dunlavy, Courtney Morehead, Shawna Ray

It’s common for rodeo athletes and fans to use the hashtags “grateful” or “blessed.” Each year, that gratefulness is expressed at the annual PRCA Awards Banquet before the start of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The final online ballot process will be open Oct. 19-23 for applicable voting PRCA members. Eligible voters will need to keep an eye on their email’s inbox for voting information on Oct. 19.

The winners for each category will be announced at the PRCA Awards Banquet at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, Dec. 2.

RELATED: 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Kicks off With Welcome Reception

The following men, women and committees are the nominees:

Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award
Cindy Rosser
Duane Reichert
Edie Longfellow
Gene Hyder
Kay Gay

Stock Contractor of the Year
Beutler & Son Rodeo Co.
Cervi Championship Rodeo
Frontier Rodeo Company
Pete Carr Pro Rodeo
Stace Smith Pro Rodeos

Announcer of the Year
Andy Stewart
Bob Tallman
Randy Corley
Wayne Brooks
Will Rasmussen

Secretary of the Year
Amanda Sanders
Brenda Crowder
Eva Chadwick
Sandy Gwatney
Sunni Deb Backstrom

Bullfighter of the Year
Cody Webster
Dusty Tuckness
Evan Allard
Nathan Jestes
Wacey Munsell

Pickup Man of the Year
Chase Cervi
Jason Bottoms
Josh Edwards
Matt Twitchell
Rex Bugbee

Clown of the Year
Cody Sosebee
JJ Harrison
John Harrison
Justin Rumford
Keith Isley

Timer of the Year
Amy Muller
Brenda Crowder
Jayme Pemberton
Shawna Ray
Toby Dunlavy

Music Director of the Year
Bradley Narducci
Brandy Edmonds
Jill Franzen Loden
Josh Hilton
Randy Mayer

Photographer of the Year
Dale Hirschman
Dan Hubbell
James Phifer
Matt Cohen
Robby Freeman

Comedy Act of the Year
Gizmo McCracken
John Harrison
Justin Rumford
Keith Isley
Matt Tarr

Dress Act of the Year
Haley Ganzel Proctor
John Payne
Madison MacDonald & Piper Yule
Rider Kiesner & Bethany Iles
Tomas Garcilazo

Small Rodeo of the Year
Alamosa, Colo.
Blackfoot, Idaho
Jerome, Idaho
Mesquite, Texas
Yuma, Colo.

Medium Rodeo of the Year
Belle Fourche, S.D.
Burwell, Neb.
Cave Creek, Ariz.
Coleman, Texas
Guymon, Okla.

Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year
Cody, Wyo.
Deadwood, S.D.
Dodge City, Kan.
Gooding, Idaho
Prescott, Ariz.
Spanish Fork, Utah

Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year
Arlington, Texas
Denver, Colo.
Fort Worth, Texas
Rapid City, S.D.
San Antonio, Texas

OLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The date is set, and the cowboys and cowgirls will be in the arena. The 2020 Wrangler® National Finals Rodeo (NFR) participants will be introduced to the world and receive their back numbers on December 1 at the NFR Welcome Reception at Dickies Arena, the home of the Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo.

This evening event will effectively start the 2020 NFR and will set the pace for 10 days of rodeo that will match the year’s greatest competitors in each of the sanctioned events. The event is one of the most anticipated moments at the NFR before the chutes open.

“This is where it all starts,” Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said. “The very best cowboys and cowgirls from this last year, along with the greatest names in rodeo will gather to kick off the 2020 NFR. We are so proud to host this event in a spectacular facility right here in the cultural center of Fort Worth. We are honored to be bringing the NFR back home this year to the real home of rodeo!”

The NFR moved to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, this year so the event could have a live audience.

The selection of back numbers signifies the contestants’ qualification to the NFR. It is a rite of passage and a confirmation of their success over the past year. All the training, discipline and preparation have brought these athletes – the very best of the best – to this event.

The Welcome Reception will start at 6 p.m. on December 1 and will be open to PRCA 2020 Convention attendees. Fans not attending the convention can purchase tickets to the reception for $30 beginning November 1.

Courtesy of PRCA