71° Fort Worth
All TCU. All the time.

TCU 360

TCU 360

All TCU. All the time.

TCU 360

Ben Kirbo competing in an outdoor meet. (Photo courtesy of gofrogs.com)
Ben Kirbo: TCU's pole vault prodigy is springing new heights
By Madeleine Thornhill, Staff Writer
Published Apr 25, 2024
TCU sophomore pole vaulter Ben Kirbo has already set new program records, but he says he is far from done.

Fort Worth Stock Show wrangles in record-breaking numbers

The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo broke records this year, bringing in 1,257,900 people in its 23-day run.
Matt Brockman, the publicity manager for the stock show, said the success could be attributed to multiple things.
“Obviously, mother nature blessed us with some great weather,” Brockman said. “But we continued to strive to produce a great event, and the buzz in the community has enhanced over the last few years.”
The stock show also experienced its busiest day ever on Saturday, Jan. 30. The event brought in 163,200 patrons in a single day.

Jerod Waymire competes in the Cowboy Mounted Shooting at the Fort Worth Stock Show in Fort Worth, Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016. (Max Faulkner/Star-Telegram via AP)
Jerod Waymire competes in the Cowboy Mounted Shooting at the Fort Worth Stock Show in Fort Worth, Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016. (Max Faulkner/Star-Telegram via AP)

Brockman said the stock show’s unique purpose and ability to appeal to a wide range of audiences also factored into the success.
“In a special place like Fort Worth, it gives people a chance to connect to the mystique of our history,” Brockman said. “It’s something that is unique and connects us to the spirit of Cowtown.”
Brockman added that by advertising in traditional and new ways, the stock show could bring in thousands of people from all generations.
“We promoted it traditionally, with radio ads and ads in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram,” Brockman said. “But we also used social media.”
Brockman said the success boiled down to three factors: the weather, prime location and the unique product that the show provided.
The stock show finished its 23-day run last Saturday. This year’s event brought in 9,400 people more people than 2015.
“We are truly humbled by the response,” Brockman said. “We don’t take it for granted.”

More to Discover