Dressed in a pink cowboy hat and cowprint bell bottoms, 3-year-old Elsie Slisz’s face lit up as horses danced through downtown Fort Worth.
Elsie was one of thousands who lined the streets Saturday to see the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo All Western Parade, deemed one of the oldest nonmotorized rodeo parades in the country.
“You don’t see this many horses together anywhere else in the United States,” said Randy Renois, stock show parade committee member. The Western heritage and tradition has kept Renois coming back to help for 35 years.
Elsie’s mom and Fort Worth resident, Eileen Slisz, 41, said her daughter’s recent obsession with all things Western brought them to the parade. This was their first time attending and she said it has given her a chance to explore the stock show through her daughter’s eyes.
“She’s so excited to be a part of it, and to see her so excited to see all the animals, it’s something that really encourages me to be more active out here,” Slisz said.
Attending with the Slisz family, Jessica Mendiola, 49, said Fort Worth has become home since immigrating from Mexico at 3 years old.
“I love the culture, just all the types of people that are here, from all the cities and just everything,” Mendiola said.
With the stock show up and running, she is looking forward to all the event has to offer, from horses and livestock to the corndogs and turkey legs.
The Western celebration will run from Jan. 16 to Feb. 7 with dozens of events honoring Fort Worth’s history and culture at Dickies Arena and Will Rogers Memorial Center.
Apache Belles dance during the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo All Western Parade on Jan. 17. The team is from Tyler Junior College. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
The 40 Something Cowgirls wave at the crowd during the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo All Western Parade on Jan. 17. The group was created in 2010 by women looking to get back on the saddle. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Mayor Mattie Parker, right, and U.S. Rep. Craig Goldman wave at attendees during the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo All Western Parade on Jan. 17. Various city leaders joined the event including Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn and council members. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
A young parade participant waves through the M.L. Leddy’s wagon window during the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo All Western Parade on Jan. 17. The Fort Worth-based business sells handmade boots, saddles and other fashion items. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Ballet folklórico dancers walk at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo All Western Parade on Jan. 17. Over a hundred parade participants included dancers, horses or marching bands. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
The Six White Horses march through the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo All Western Parade on Jan. 17. The horses with Hardin-Simmons University have performed for millions at parades, rodeos and other events. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Attendees watch as horses walk past during the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo All Western Parade on Jan. 17. Thousands gathered downtown for the “One and Only, Equine-Powered, All-Western Parade.” (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
A horse with the El Compa Nando gallops through the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo All Western Parade on Jan. 17. The group is a construction company based in Alvarado. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Christine Vo is an audience fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at christine@fortworthreport.org or @trinhvchristine.
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