National Western Stock Show parade brings Old West flair to downtown Denver

BEAUTY QUEENS ON PARADE: Beauty queens from the Deer Trail Rodeo wave to the crowd Thursday during the stock-show parade in downtown Denver. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)

Riley Novy wanted to know why spurs jingle against the back of cowboy boots.

The question was one of many the 4-year-old asked his grandfather, Rich ard Novy, as he squirmed on the edge of the sidewalk along 17th Street in downtown Denver. But every string of inquisition ended on the same point.

"Where are the cowboys?"

The National Western Stock Show & Rodeo parade moseyed into town at high noon Thursday with an array of traditional Western flair.

Two days before the stock show opens its gates, crowds lined the street as a herd of Texas longhorns bucked and trotted in front of Union Station, then headed southeast through downtown.

Riley's eyes were wide beneath the brim of his black cowboy hat

as the herd, and the cowboys leading it, passed by.

"It's a regional tradition," Richard Novy said. "It's something that Denver is famous for."

Former Denver Mayor Federico Pe?a, who was elected in 1983, served as this year's grand marshal. Denver's first Latino mayor waved and greeted patrons as he rode through Denver's business district in a horse-drawn carriage.

"It is so important for our city because of its economic impact and because it represents a part of the soul of our community," Pe?a said. "As we continue to modernize, it's important to bring in our past."

Rodeo queens from across the state lined the beds of classic trucks. The reflection of their tasseled chaps and tiaras flashed in the polished wood and red paint.

A long line of horsemen delighted 5-year-old Ezrah Vagts, whose favorite part of the parade was the "horses and ponies."

Ezrah's mother, Crystal Vagts, said the stock show is a tradition her family waits for every year.

"We don't take down our Christmas tree until the stock show," Vagts said. "I think it fits perfectly into our city."

As Cassidy Cabot, Miss Rodeo Colorado, rode by, Ezrah swayed back and forth in her jean skirt, pink

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY: A longhorn makes a break for it as its herd heads to 17th Street at the start of the National Western Stock Show Parade. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)

cowgirl hat and matching boots.

Then the clatter of hooves on pavement was overwhelmed by the rumble of about 20 antique tractor engines. Exhaust filled the air as the green and red machines puttered past and around one another.

Travis Fiihr enjoyed his first stock-show parade during his lunch break and watched the cattle drive as he ate a burrito he bought at a stand at 17th and Blake streets.

"It's pretty cool," Fiihr said. "I was surprised to see the longhorns come down the street."

The stock show opens at 9 a.m. Saturday at the National Western Complex at Interstate 70 and Brighton Boulevard. It will run daily through Jan. 22.

Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794 or jsteffen@denverpost.com

Source: http://feeds.denverpost.com/~r/dp-news-local/~3/UjpRArsXPo8/ci_19685258

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