Arizona National Livestock Show: Southwest's largest celebration of the cowboy

The Arizona National Livestock Show logo.

Arizona is synonymous with the Wild West. Visitors still arrive expecting to see cowboys and Indians, despite the fact that Phoenix is now the fifth largest city in the United States with a population of more than 1.5 million. On Sunday, December 28, the Wild West is returning to the heart of Phoenix for the largest livestock show in the Southwest.

The Arizona National Livestock Show has been a Phoenix tradition since 1948. According to the Prescott Evening Courier, 359 head of cattle from four states were exhibited at that first show. In 1955, more than 1,000 head of cattle from 19 states were registered to be exhibited at the show. Nearly 2,000 head of cattle representing 23 states and Canada were exhibited at the Arizona National Livestock Show at the Arizona State Fair Grounds last year.

This year's Arizona National Livestock Show is coming to the Arizona State Fairgrounds December 28 through January 1, 2009 and promises to be far more than just a livestock show and sale. In addition to the best cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, and goats in the region, there will also be ranch events, a farm experience and a western art and gear exhibit.

The Cowboy Classic Western Art and Gear Show

Kicking off with an Opening Dedication at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday December 28, the Western Art and Gear Show will feature the work of several national recognized artists. This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the Cowboy Classics show which showcases art and gear depicting both contemporary western life and the life of the American Cowboy. The Gallery, sponsored by the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation, includes original sculptures, leatherwork, engravings, gear such as bits and spurs and even furniture and is open every day of the Arizona National Livestock Show. Framed canvas transfer prints donated by the Cowboy Artists of America will be on display and available for purchase in the Wesley Bolin Youth Activity Building. There is also a Cowboy Mercantile selling a unique collection of western books, prints, music, videos, jewelry and other items. The public can also watch demonstrations and participate in workshops for a glimpse into the Cowboy way of life.

The Ranch Events

The Ranch Events honors Arizona's rich ranching heritage and thriving ranching industry with a variety competitions on Tuesday, December 30. The Working Ranch Horse Competition, which begins at 9:00 a.m., tests the athletic abilities of working ranch horses by asking them, and their riders, to maneuver cattle in the Grandstand Arena, rope a steer and take it through a gate. The Arizona Commercial Replacement Heifer Sale follows the invitational ranch horse competition at 12:30 p.m. The sale offers ranchers the opportunity to see the sort of heifers being raised at other ranches as they compete in pens of three heifers for the titles of Champion and Reserve Champion Commercial Replacement Heifer Pen. All heifers will be sold at auction as pens of three head. The Ranch Events conclude with the Ranch Team Competition. Beginning at 1:30 p.m., teams of four cowboys and cowgirls will compete in a series of events starting with four horses and four head of cattle loose in the arena. Ranch hands will need to tie down one head by at least three legs, load another in a livestock trailer and mark the final two on the face with a paint stick before getting themselves, their horses and the cattle back into the pen where the horses began the event.

The Farm Experience

City folks, and especially city kids, can discover what life is like on a farm at the interactive and educational Farm Experience. Kids can get their hands dirty learning how to rope, participating in a pedal tractor race or stick horse rodeo and looking for eggs. Spectators can cheer on their favorite pigs during Cook's Racing Pigs Program then take a turn at the handles of a 100 year old Rope Making Machine. The highlight of the Farm Experience for kids and adults the Li'l Buckaroo Rodeo where cowboys and cowgirls ages 4 to 6 will compete by riding sheep around the arena.

At the heart of all this activity is the Arizona National Livestock Show itself. The Show includes exhibitors in both the Junior and Open Divisions. In the Junior Division FFA and 4-H exhibitors show off their best Market Steers, Breeding Heifers, Arizona Prospect Steers, Hogs, Lambs, Ewes and Horses. After judging the top 160 market animals are offered for sale at the Junior Market Auction. The Open Division exhibits include Breeding Cattle, Sun Classic Heifer, Feeder Steer and Breeding Sheep Shows. Among the breeds competing in the Open breeding cattle are Angus, Brahman, Brangus, Hereford, Limousin, Maine-Anjou and Shorthorn breeds. All Other Breeds show for Charolais, Gelbvieh, Salers and Simmental breeds. Over $40,000 in premiums offered. Feeder steers and heifers are offered for sale at auction after the judging so junior exhibitors have the opportunity to purchase champion quality animals.

The Arizona National Livestock Show is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to supporting youth and promoting livestock and agriculture. Agriculture is a $9.2 billion industry in the state of Arizona. More than 26 million acres of the state's 72 million acres are farmland with more than 23 million acres serving as pasture for animals. There are 10,000 farms and ranches in Arizona having a average size of 2,610 acres. Although lettuce, cotton, hay and alfalfa are Arizona's top agricultural commodities, cattle and sheep are the top commodities in the mountainous northern half of the state.

The Arizona National Livestock Show is being held at the Arizona State Fairgrounds located at 1826 W. McDowell Road in Phoenix. December 28, 2008 through January 1, 2009. Admission is $10 per vehicle which includes $7.00 for parking. A $1.00 discount coupon is available online.