Las Vegas, like many places worldwide, has felt the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its events calendar.
Cowboy Christmas, an annual retail gift show traditionally held in December at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), will not take place in 2020.
This cherished event, featuring Western-themed crafts and art, typically attracts over 250,000 visitors each year, making it a significant gathering. Unfortunately, it is now another casualty of the pandemic.
Las Vegas Events, the organization responsible for coordinating special events during the rodeo, confirmed on Tuesday that the show’s cancellation is irrespective of whether the rodeo itself occurs in Las Vegas.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) had previously announced on August 19 that they were exploring options for hosting the rodeo. Historically, the Las Vegas NFR has been one of Las Vegas’s most successful special events.
The PRCA, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, stated that a decision regarding the rodeo’s location and whether or not fans will be in attendance will be made by September 30. The consideration includes the possibility of holding the event in Las Vegas without fans or searching for an alternative host city.
The PRCA mentioned last week that holding the event in Las Vegas with fans would not be feasible. They are also assessing the possibility of relocating the event to another city for 2020, where events like Cowboy Christmas, designed for spectators, could be accommodated.
However, hosting the rodeo without fans in Las Vegas poses challenges for Las Vegas Events, as ticket sales revenue contributes significantly to the prize pool.
All exhibitors will receive full refunds for their participation in the event.
While it is unfortunate that Las Vegas is unable to host the #WranglerNFR with fans in 2020, we would like to get your feedback on the PRCA's plans for potentially hosting in another destination.
— Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (@LasVegasNFR) August 21, 2020
TAKE THE SURVEY HEREhttps://t.co/fHr4HtKER6 pic.twitter.com/BvBmaZd549
Las Vegas Events representatives have expressed their willingness to collaborate with the PRCA to explore the feasibility of hosting Cowboy Christmas in conjunction with the rodeo if it takes place in another location. They aim to finalize these plans by the end of September.
Cowboy Christmas, one of NFR’s most successful and beloved ancillary events in Las Vegas, has evolved into a sprawling 440,000-square-foot shopping and interactive experience. With over 350 exhibitors from across the United States, it caters to the Western lifestyle, offering live entertainment, specialty food and beverages, and Western-themed exhibits.