The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo board of directors and membership met April 25 and elected directors and officers of the 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.
New directors elected include: Wilson Franklin; Trey Gordon; Mary Ralph Lowe; Kent Lynch; Paxton Motheral; Mark G. Nurdin; Robert L. Patton; William D. Ratliff IV; Rozanne Rosenthal; and Todd M. Tippet.
Elevated to the position of honorary vice president were William A. Landreth Jr., Ronnie McNutt, Billy Minick and Joseph A. Monteleone. Officers re-elected include: Bradford S. Barnes, president and general manager; Edward P. Bass, chairman of the board; Charlie Geren, vice president; Charlie Moncrief, secretary; Randy Rogers, treasurer; and W.R. Watt Jr., president emeritus.
In reviewing the 2017 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, Barnes broke out some of the highlights:
• 1,219,300 estimated grounds attendance;
• 28,190 total Stock Show entries;
• 12,423 junior exhibitor entries representing 236 of Texas’ 254 counties;
• More than $3.2 million Junior Sale of Champion sale receipts;
• $224,945 raised by the Agricultural Development Fund for junior exhibitor support;
• $670,900 provided in scholarships, educational grants and charitable gifts;
• 1,069 professional rodeo contestants competed for a $722,180 purse; and
• 272,333 Facebook fans, 14,509 Twitter followers; 18,251 Instagram followers.
“Although the Stock Show is Fort Worth’s oldest and largest event, we’re constantly striving to enhance the experience for our guests, exhibitors and contestants,” said Barnes in a news release. “We’re proud of our history and excited about our future.”
The 2018 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo will run Jan. 12 through Feb. 3. Rodeo tickets will be available beginning Monday, May 1.