For Release: Immediate
Contact: Matt Brockman or Shanna Weaver
Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show
817-877-2400
matt@fwssr.com shanna@fwssr.com

Major Sponsors Support Stock Show Effort For Youth

Fort Worth, Texas - Supporting efforts to enhance educational opportunities for youth, five prominent organizations have signed-on as major sponsors of the 112th Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. Farm Credit, Star-Telegram, GMC, WFAA-DT / TV and Williamson-Dickie are returning to help ensure the Stock Show retains its legendary status and visitors enjoy a wholesome and affordable experience.

“The efforts of companies like these assure that we can continue to offer programs that benefit the youth of Texas,” said Bradford S. Barnes, Executive Vice President / General Manager for the Stock Show. “The experiences our 4-H and FFA exhibitors have at the Show and through our scholarship and grant programs provide an outstanding training ground for tomorrow’s leaders.”

Farm Credit has been around for 90 years, helping Americans find their place in the country. As a nationwide network of lending cooperatives, Farm Credit is the largest lender to rural America. While you may be familiar with buying a home in the city, financing rural property can be more complex. Whether it’s two or 20,000 acres, experts from Farm Credit and Lone Star Ag Credit will be on site in the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall providing information to help you get the place of your dreams without any unpleasant surprises. Also, look for Farm Credit’s wagon during the Canadian Chuck Wagon Races.

Serving as the Stock Show’s official vehicle and the major sponsor of the Canadian Chuck Wagon Races, GMC is a strong supporter of the Show’s efforts. New for 2008 is the Yukon Hybrid, providing a 50 percent improvement in city fuel economy over the non-hybrid Yukon. “GMC is Professional Grade” so come checkout their popular models throughout the Stock Show grounds.

Two Fort Worth legends, the Star-Telegram and the Stock Show have informed, entertained and educated North Texans for decades. Enjoy the Star-Telegram’s coverage of the Stock Show in news pages and on Star-Telegram.com. While you’re at the Stock Show, visit the updated “Lasting Impressions” photo exhibit in Amon G. Carter Exhibits Hall. Star-Telegram is also a long-time participant in the Canadian Chuck Wagon Races. Promoting the development of local youth’s talents with pencil and brush, the Star-Telegram hosts a western-themed art contest, displaying winning work in the Richardson-Bass Building. Press Pass (Star-Telegram’s shopping discount program) holders can receive two-dollar discounts on adult ground admission and a special five-dollar discount on all weekday rodeo matinee performances. While you’re visiting the show, you may even get a chance to see Rusty, the Star-Telegram’s mascot Longhorn steer.

WFAA-DT / TV is the proud broadcast partner of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. The Dallas-Fort Worth ABC affiliate is the most-watched news station in the nation’s fifth largest market with a focus on breaking news, investigative reports and cutting-edge programming. WFAA has a national reputation for local journalistic excellence and provides news and information on air, via the Internet and other technologies. WFAA has long been a pioneer in digital technologies, and was the first D/FW station to broadcast regularly scheduled local newscasts, as well as network and local programming in high definition (HDTV). WFAA presents promotional and advertising support along with reports on various activities at the Stock Show. Be sure to check out the “Spirit of Texas” Weekend, January 18 – 20, when the station will feature a fun-packed event with celebrities and various activities in the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Exhibit Hall’s concourse.

While Williamson-Dickie began as a bib overall company, today it has grown to be the number one manufacturer of work apparel worldwide. By continually expanding and updating its selection, Dickies now offers garments ranging from its staple work pants and shirts to items such as women’s workwear, chore coats and denim jeans. Dickies workwear is sold in 50 states and throughout the world. Besides being a Canadian Chuck Wagon sponsor, the Stock Show mascots - Hoss and Elwood Moos - proudly sport Dickies apparel.

Several other major Stock Show events and exhibits are generously underwritten by corporate friends and include: Canadian Chuck Wagon Races – (not previously mentioned) Texas Farm Bureau Insurance and Amsco Steel; Calf Scramble – Mrs Baird’s and Justin Boots; PlainsCapital Bank Petting Zoo; Coors Cowtown Cutting; “Best of Mexico Celebración” – Univision and Coors Light; LamaVision (with help from US Smokeless Tobacco’s sophisticated timing and scoring system plus two huge screens showing heart-stopping replays of rodeo rides and wrecks) Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital and XTO Energy ; “Bulls Night Out” (PRCA extreme bull riding) Lone Star Ag Credit; Ranching Heritage Weekend – Western Horseman magazine; Heifer Superintendent’s Beef Challenge – Devon Energy Corp.; Planet Agriculture (interactive agricultural exhibit) – TXU Energy; and Hard Luck Buck (rodeo cowboy recognition) – Warner Stevens, L.L.P.

Make plans to attend the legendary Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo - January 11 through February 3. Tickets to the “Best of the West” Ranch Rodeo, “Best of Mexico Celebración,” “Bulls Night Out” PRCA Extreme Bull Riding and the PRCA Rodeo are on sale by contacting the Stock Show Ticket Office or Ticketmaster. More information can be found at www.fwssr.com.