Evan Semon
Audio By Carbonatix
Despite the cold, thousands of people headed downtown to see the parade kicking off the 119th National Western Stock Show parade on Thursday, January 9. But the weather prevented one familiar sight from appearing: There were no longhorns.
Why not? Reports varied as to why this crowd favorite was missing: One official said that the longhorns got pretty frisky last year and the owner wanted to steer clear of putting the animals on the icy streets of Denver. Another said the owner didn’t want to risk hauling twenty head over the Palmer Divide. Here’s the official explanation from the National Western: “They were in route this morning coming from the ranch south of Monument, the road conditions were too hazardous for the haul and the ranchers made the decision to turn around for the safety of the animals. They were very disappointed they could not make the parade today but will be on site this weekend and at the Wild West shows.”
9NEWS weather wizard Kathy Sabine, grand marshal of the 119th National Western Stock Show Parade.
Evan Semon
Without the longhorns, the parade just didn’t have the star power of previous years, despite 9News’s Kathy Sabine serving as grand marshal and other dignitaries riding on floats or horses. But at least the show went on: In 2017 and 2022, the parade was canceled altogether because of the weather; in 2021, the pandemic led to the cancellation.
And you have another chance to see the longhorns: They’ll be paraded in front of the National Western Center’s Hall of Education at 2 p.m. on January 18, during the Longhorn Cattle Drive, and also participate in those Wild West shows.
Here are more sights from a parade that was all hats, no cattle:
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston seems very excited to ride down 17th Street and wave.
Evan Semon
There wouldn’t be a parade without horses.
Evan Semon
Rainbow chickens surprise the crowds along the parade route.
Evan Semon
A member of the Mexican Rodeo extravaganza offers a sneak peek of Sunday’s performance.
Evan Semon
The Denver Dumb Friends League has a float with this scary cat person.
Evan Semon
A young buckaroo keeps warm during the parade.
Evan Semon
The last time Miles the mascot was in a parade down 17th Street, the Denver Broncos had won Super Bowl 50.
Evan Semon
This isn’t the same Rocky that was in the parade when the Nuggets won the NBA Championship back in 2023.
Evan Semon
Familiar cowboy and beermaker Pete Coors in the parade.
Evan Semon
For fox sake! Where are the longhorns?
Evan Semon
Rodeo queens hand out small American flags.
Evan Semon
Members of the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza ride down 17th Street.
Evan Semon
Colorful dresses and Mexican folk dances are a parade highlight.
Evan Semon
A horse-drawn float makes its way down 17th Street.
Evan Semon
