Oklahoma proud at the NFR
The National Finals Rodeo continues on, the fifth round begins at 9 tonight (Tuesday) central time. It's been quite interesting.
But, alas, I saw just the first round in person. Sure I would've liked to have been in the Thomas & Mack Center for every round, but that just wasn't feasible. Being there for the first round was, quite honestly, awesome. The two previous trips to the NFR, I was in the house for the final five rounds, which is pretty awsome in its own right, since championships are decided then.
But the opening night was tremendous. It was a downright Okie celebration that had even a transplanted Okie like me gettin' all emotional. ProRodeo Hall of Fame announcer/former legislator/current lobbyist/wonderful man Clem McSpadden helped open the show as the NFR celebrated its 20-year run in Oklahoma City, where Clem served as the NFR general manager.
He gave the Cowboy Prayer he wrote, performed his touching tribute to the flag and even nearly broke up as he introduced an act he hired to sing the Star Spangled Banner in 1974. Then Reba McEntire belted out the national anthem that sent chills to all 17,000-plus in the arena. I was so thankful to be there.
As the rodeo began, the love of my life noticed that in the suite directly behind our seat was that famous Oklahoma redhead -- no, not Cord McCoy, but Reba herself. I cowboyed up and tipped my hat, telling the starlet that I know her beautiful sister, Susie, and the Luchsinger family rather well. My sweety later returned to retrieve Reba's autograph, which is now on one of our NFR tickets.
That night also marked a first for me at the NFR, as the three of the four representatives from No Man's Land ventured to the Gold Coast Casino for the nightly buckle presentation. I'd heard about the event, but since my previous trips included trying to make a deadline back in OKC, I never even attempted to make it to the Gold Coast.
That night, we celebrated with friend Garrett Nokes, who went to Panhandle State University with my honey, after he won steer wrestling. We had premium seats thanks to Montana Silversmiths, who presented the nightly buckles to the go-round winners. But truth be told, we spent some serious jack at the Thomas & Mack. Good tickets run $56 a pop. Throw in a few brews and some dinner -- we left for the rodeo at 4:30 p.m., so we ate at the arena -- and the money goes quickly.
So Saturday night, we made it to the Gold Coast even before the rodeo began. We took in the rodeo via closed-circuit broadcast, sitting in those same Montana Silversmiths seats. It was just fine, but it doesn't compare to being in the arena anf feeling the atmosphere.
We made it to Las Vegas' McCarron Airport in time to catch the live broadcast of Sunday's third round, but, alas, there just weren't enough cowboys among the throngs of folks flying out of Sin City that day to warrant changing channels. Then our flight was delayed an hour and a half, so we didn't land in Amarillo until after 1 a.m. central time.
Still, it was quite worth it. I can't wait until next year's event.
But, alas, I saw just the first round in person. Sure I would've liked to have been in the Thomas & Mack Center for every round, but that just wasn't feasible. Being there for the first round was, quite honestly, awesome. The two previous trips to the NFR, I was in the house for the final five rounds, which is pretty awsome in its own right, since championships are decided then.
But the opening night was tremendous. It was a downright Okie celebration that had even a transplanted Okie like me gettin' all emotional. ProRodeo Hall of Fame announcer/former legislator/current lobbyist/wonderful man Clem McSpadden helped open the show as the NFR celebrated its 20-year run in Oklahoma City, where Clem served as the NFR general manager.
He gave the Cowboy Prayer he wrote, performed his touching tribute to the flag and even nearly broke up as he introduced an act he hired to sing the Star Spangled Banner in 1974. Then Reba McEntire belted out the national anthem that sent chills to all 17,000-plus in the arena. I was so thankful to be there.
As the rodeo began, the love of my life noticed that in the suite directly behind our seat was that famous Oklahoma redhead -- no, not Cord McCoy, but Reba herself. I cowboyed up and tipped my hat, telling the starlet that I know her beautiful sister, Susie, and the Luchsinger family rather well. My sweety later returned to retrieve Reba's autograph, which is now on one of our NFR tickets.
That night also marked a first for me at the NFR, as the three of the four representatives from No Man's Land ventured to the Gold Coast Casino for the nightly buckle presentation. I'd heard about the event, but since my previous trips included trying to make a deadline back in OKC, I never even attempted to make it to the Gold Coast.
That night, we celebrated with friend Garrett Nokes, who went to Panhandle State University with my honey, after he won steer wrestling. We had premium seats thanks to Montana Silversmiths, who presented the nightly buckles to the go-round winners. But truth be told, we spent some serious jack at the Thomas & Mack. Good tickets run $56 a pop. Throw in a few brews and some dinner -- we left for the rodeo at 4:30 p.m., so we ate at the arena -- and the money goes quickly.
So Saturday night, we made it to the Gold Coast even before the rodeo began. We took in the rodeo via closed-circuit broadcast, sitting in those same Montana Silversmiths seats. It was just fine, but it doesn't compare to being in the arena anf feeling the atmosphere.
We made it to Las Vegas' McCarron Airport in time to catch the live broadcast of Sunday's third round, but, alas, there just weren't enough cowboys among the throngs of folks flying out of Sin City that day to warrant changing channels. Then our flight was delayed an hour and a half, so we didn't land in Amarillo until after 1 a.m. central time.
Still, it was quite worth it. I can't wait until next year's event.
posted by Teditor at 6:09 PM
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