Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Canceled For 2021, Ranked 'Very High Risk'

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is canceled for 2021, organizers stated Friday morning.

The decision came as a unanimous vote from the executive committee, according to spokesman Matt Brockman in an email.

Originally, the stock show and rodeo had been scheduled for January 15th through February 6th of 2021.

Stock Show President and General Manager Brad Barnes, told NBC DFW, "This is a heartbreaking decision for our leadership and was not made lightly. We wanted to find a way to safely hold a Show for our 1.2 million guests, exhibitors and competitors. Unfortunately, the challenges we face to create practical and enforceable protocols and procedures to comply with COVID-19 guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are extremely daunting. The uncertainty of the virus potential spread across Texas and the nation during the upcoming flu season was another major factor weighing on our decision."

Tarrant County Public Health Director Vinny Taneja stated, "The health and safety of our community is of the utmost importance. We support the Stock Show's executive committee in making this difficult decision."

The last, and only, time a Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo was canceled was in 1943 near the height of World War II.

Photo: Getty Images

Source: NBC DFW