For only the second time in recent history, the All Western Parade of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo has been canceled due to the threat of excessive winds.
The arrival of a strong cold front expected to hit downtown Fort Worth coinciding at the parade’s start time prompted the Stock Show to decide conditions for parade spectators, participants and livestock will be unsafe, according to a news release from the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
The City of Fort Worth’s Office of Emergency Management and Stock Show officials monitored the weather forecast throughout Friday, communicating frequently with the National Weather Service and ultimately made the decision to cancel the parade at 5:30 p.m.
“While the parade is a celebratory event kicking off our annual Stock Show & Rodeo, we need to make decisions in the best interests of everyone involved,” said Brad Barnes, president and general manager of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. “Winds are estimated to be sustained at 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts exceeding 35. The challenging effect of the Northwest winds through downtown skyscrapers will only make these conditions worse.”
Guests who have purchased reserved seating for the parade can exchange their tickets for a season grounds pass for the 23-day run of the Stock Show or request a refund for the dollar value of their parade ticket at the Stock Show’s main ticket offices at 3401 W. Lancaster Avenue.
This year’s Stock Show will run January 18 through February 9.
www.fwssr.com or call (817) 877-2420.