Western Heritage

Hometown: Shreveport, Louisiana / Fort Worth, Texas

Occupation: Guest Service Champion Holiday Inn Express Western Center

Ideal Day in Fort Worth: Whether it is with your spouse, family or friends, an ideal day in Fort Worth is to begin your journey at the Fort Worth Amon Carter Museum of American Art. There you can enjoy the different art works by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell the two greatest artists of the American West and it is free of charge. You also can enjoy walking hand and hand through the Botanic Garden occasionally stopping to take pictures of the beautiful colorful plants that flourish in the garden. Very romantic. When you get hungry you must sit down and enjoy a juicy steak at the Internationally Renowned Cattlemen's Fort Worth Steak House. After enjoying your day in Fort Worth you can end your journey by checking in to the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Western Center and relax in one of our comfortable beds.

How would you describe Fort Worth to a visitor? Fort Worth is a city that values its sometime wild and wooly Western heritage. It is a cultural heritage that revolves around world-class museums and art venues. There are many hot spots in Fort Worth; to name a few; Billy Bob's the world's largest honky tonk, Downtown /Sundance Square Plaza the most exciting downtown in Texas, Texas Christian University a private, coeducational university in Fort Worth and Joe T. Garcia's is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Fort Worth. Landmarks: Fort Worth Water Gardens is a unique free attraction located on the south end of downtown Fort Worth, Bass Performance Hall is the premier venue for performing arts and other attractions and St. Patrick's Cathedral was constructed from 1888-1892 is the oldest continuously used church building in Fort Worth.

What do you like most about working in the tourism/hospitality industry? I like the ideal that I get the chance to meet and greet many people from different states and country’s. To tell them about all the great things they can do in Fort Worth and all the wonderful things we have to offer.

What is the biggest surprise visitors have about Fort Worth? The biggest surprise I have heard visitors speak about is when they visited the Stockyards. They would always say, “I have never seen cowboys drive a herd of longhorn cattle down a street.” A city with a country feel.

What makes Fort Worth different than any other destination? I think the welcoming hospitality and the friendliness of the people is what makes Fort Worth different from any other destination. Fort Worth has a climate of opportunity for business, education and creativity. This is one of the reasons why my family and I decided to live here.

Hometown: I grew up in Ennis, TX, which is a small town about an hour south of Fort Worth.

Occupation: Sales Manager at the Holiday Inn Express at Cityview.

Ideal Day in Fort Worth: Bike ride at Trinity Trails, a short trip to Fort Woof Dog Park (I have two very spoiled dogs), and wrap it up with a night at Concerts in the Gardens.

How would you describe Fort Worth to a visitor? Fort Worth is a big city with a small town feel.

What do you like most about working in the tourism/hospitality industry? I am a “people” person, I love meeting people and showing off our beautiful city.

What is the biggest surprise visitors have about Fort Worth? Visitors are most surprised by the hospitality of the Fort Worth people.

What makes Fort Worth different than any other destination? The diversity of Fort Worth, its Western Heritage to its unmatched cultural arts, makes this city stand out from the rest.

The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame pays tribute to the cowboys and cowgirls who have excelled in the sports of rodeo, cutting and ranching, and those individuals who have dedicated their lives to promoting and preserving Texas Western heritage. The Sterquell Wagon collection features more than 60 Old West wagons, carts and sleighs. At the Exploratorium, children can learn to pack for a trail drive and dig for treasures in the sawdust, among other hands-on experiences. Western-themed apparel, jewelry and souvenirs are available in the gift shop.

Induction into Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed on individuals who have shown excellence in competition, business, and support of rodeo and the western lifestyle in Texas. This year's induction will take place January 17th, 2013 at the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District.

This year's Inductees include:

• Dr. Tandy Freeman, III - Medical Director for the Justin Sports Medicine Team and Professional Bull Riders Sports Medicine Program, Team Physician for the Dallas Mavericks and a member of the physician pool for the U.S. Ski Team.
• Sandy Kirby - A 9-time qualifier for the bull riding and 5-time qualifier for the bareback competition. Kirby took home the Bareback Average title in 1973 and the Bull Riding Average title in 1974.
• Edwards Family & Edwards Ranch - The Edwards Ranch, which has been operating over 160 years, is considered prime real estate in Fort Worth. Over the years parts of the ranch have been sold and developed into Trinity Park and the Fort Worth Zoo.
• Tommy Steiner - The Steiner Rodeo Company has been home to some of rodeos finest stock including 6 Black 6, the 1975 Bull of the Year; 11 Red Lightning, the 1978 Bull of the Year and Stormy Weather, the 1975 Bareback Horse of the Year just to name a few.

Rick Smith Spirit of Texas Honoree:

• Randy White – A retired professional football player, White has appeared in numerous western and children’s fundraising events and is involved in celebrity roping events as well as with other western organizations.

Proceeds benefit the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in their ongoing education and preservation efforts. Click here for more information on the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony or other Events in Fort Worth.

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is a 23-day extravaganza, offering a unique atmosphere rich in tradition and history. Also known as Tarrant County's largest annual event, the Show attracts more than one million visitors each year. This year's event will last from January 18th - February 9th, 2013.

The 117-year old event is the nation's oldest livestock show, featuring over 22,000 head of world-class livestock on exhibit. The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is home of the World's Original Indoor Rodeo®.

In addition to the various livestock shows and professional rodeo thrills, Stock Show patrons can also enjoy interactive educational exhibits, nearly 200,000 square feet of unique shopping, live music, an exciting carnival, great food and much more! Experience this legendary event full of western heritage, family entertainment and lasting education each January through February at the Will Rogers Memorial Center.

Rodeo tickets range from $19 to $25 and will be available for:

• "Best of the West" Ranch Rodeo @ 7:30 p.m. January 18-19th
• Best of Mexico Celebracion @ 7:30 p.m. on January 20th
• Cowboys of Color Rodeo @ 2 p.m. on January 21st
• "Bulls' Night Out" @ 7:30 p.m. January 22-23rd
• World's Original Indoor Rodeo January 24th-February 9th.

Check www.fwssr.com for a complete list of times and events for the 2013 Stock Show and Rodeo. Check back on our Facebook page for a FWSSR photo contest January 2-January 14! 

The ticket office at 3401 W. Lancaster Ave. will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Fans also can purchase tickets by calling 817-877-2420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. 

Fort Worth is known for many things, but one thing that helps us stand out from the rest is our Western heritage. Make sure to sign-up for the Fort Worth July "Where the West Begins" Sweepstakes by July 30th on FortWorth.com. Don't miss your chance to win one of these four amazing Western packages! Each package includes:

1. Concert Tickets to Billy Bob's Texas
2. $50 Gift Certificate to Hunter Brothers H3 Ranch
3. Admission for (4) to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
4. Admission for (4) to Stockyards Championship Rodeo
5. Billy Bob's Texas framed photo of Willie Nelson wearing a red Fort Worth bandana (pictured right)
6. (4) Fort Worth Bandanas (Red and Brown)

The only way you can hurt your chances of winning is not signing-up! Go to FortWorth.com to enter for your chance to win! The winners will be chosen at random on Tuesday, July 31st. The winners will be notified by email or phone that day. Questions? Check-out the contest rules for more info.Good luck everyone!

Ever wondered what it would be like to step back in time during the days of the Wild West and experience the day in the life of an American cowboy? This Saturday, July 28th, is you and your family's chance to experience the best of the West at the 5th Annual National Day of the American Cowboy in the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District!

The event takes place 10:30am-4pm and is filled with fun Western heritage events for the entire family to enjoy including watermelon eating and seed-spitting contests, best mustache, hay stacking, buckaroo crafts and coloring, Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drive, Riscky’s rib-eating contest and much more! Don't miss the gunfight shows, Cowboy Celebration parade or Billy Bob's Texas' Cowboy Idol!  This event is also free, so come out and celebrate our city's amazing history and be a cowboy or girl for the day!

Want to see the wild West at its best? Every weekend at 11:45am and 4:15pm (right after the Fort Worth Herd cattle drive) come see the Legends of Texas perform a gunfight in Stockyards Station. The Legends of Texas is an organization that works to preserve Texas' great Western heritage. As a historical group, each member assumes a character, whether it be a saloon keeper, a Texas Ranger, Sam Houston or the famous John Wayne. You never know who you will see at the next Summer Gunfights in the Historic Stockyards. Step back in time during this free event, running every weekend through Labor Day!

National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum might be quite the mouthful, but it is FULL of unique treasures from Fort Worth and our nation's history.  It is the only museum in Fort Worth that is dedicated to the multicultural cowboys and cowgirls of the west. Come and visit the unique, historical accounts of how cowboys lived, dressed and saddled up in the colorful exhibit area. One-of-a-kind buckles, saddles and memorabilia are on display by World Calf Roping Champion, Fred Whitfield, Rodeo Legend Charles Sampson and three time IPRA Steer Wrestling Champion, Ronnie Fields. 

The museum is perfect for introducing children of all ages to our nation's history. You can hear historians, meet cowboys, cowgirls and Buffalo Soldiers through special events, seminars and lecture programs. In fact, they even host Buffalo Soldier camp outs for Boy Scouts and are currently holding gardening classes at the new Pam Grier Community Garden (3534 E. Berry Avenue, Ft. Worth, Texas 76105). They've got an array of activities coming up, especially for the National Day of the American Cowboy in July, so stay tuned because you won't want to miss out! 

Visit the Museum Wednesday-Friday: 12-5pm, Saturday: 11am-5pm (Free Children Storytelling 11am-1pm). Click here for more info on the NMWHM. 

The Youth World Show is more than a horse show – with dozens of activities planned that don’t require a horse to be involved.

• Youth Boot Camp
  Designed to give those youth competing at the World Show who don’t have the opportunity to work with a trainer a chance to receive hands-on instruction from industry professionals in preparation for the World Show experience. APHA professionals will assist the youth with feedback and helpful hints for horsemanship, equitation and showmanship.
• AjPHA Year-End Awards Banquet
  Before World Show classes begin, AjPHA recognizes the top youth competitors for their 2010 year-end achievements at the AjPHA Year-End Banquet & Dinner on Friday, June 24. Advance tickets required.
• Paint For A Day Youth Open All-Breed Show
  We “zing the bling” and make it fun at Paint For A Day on Saturday, June 25. All breeds of horses are welcome, and each entrant receives a free AjPHA membership. All will have a great day of learning about the Paint Horse industry, making new friends and being able to show their horse. Plus, you’ll get a chance to take in the sights and sounds of a World Championship Paint Horse Show.
• Hart Youth Horse Judging Contest
  One of the largest competitions of its kind, the AjPHA Judging Contest will be held on Sunday, June 26. Individuals and teams can compete in two age divisions (13 & Under or 14-19) as well as two categories (Open and AjPHA/APHA Regional Club). Top individuals and teams take home great awards. The high-point individual in each age division will receive a special $500 award presented by the event’s presenting sponsor Hart Trailers. High-point teams in each age division and category will receive Gist buckles.
• AjPHA National Convention
  The largest meeting of the year for all “j” members, and a prime opportunity to help shape the future of the youth Association. Youth will vote on their national directors, hear about rule changes, vote on by-law changes and elect the AjPHA Executive Committee on June 28.

The newest attraction (pictured left) is their mechanical horse, appropriately decorated in Mavs gear.

For more information and pricing visit Stockyards Station.  

From Western Heritage in Fort Worth, Texas to Picasso and Braque at one of Fort Worth's famous Museums in the Fort Worth Cultural District, this exhibiton is on view at the Kimbell Art Museum through August 21, 2011.

The first exhibition to unite many of the paintings and nearly all of the prints created by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque during these two exhilarating years of their artistic dialogue, goes on view at the Kimbell Art Museum May 29. “This small-scale exhibition examines a brief moment with huge implications for the history of art,” commented Eric M. Lee, director of the Kimbell Art Museum. “This show is the first to focus exclusively on this landmark period of intense productivity and adventure for Picasso and Braque.” 

    
This international loan exhibition is organized by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and the Kimbell Art Museum and has its debut in Fort Worth.

During the years 1910 through 1912, these two great masters invented a new style that took the basics of traditional European art—modeling in light and shade to suggest roundedness, perspective lines to suggest space, indeed the very idea of making a recognizable description of the real world—and toyed with them irreverently. 

“These are beautiful, enigmatic, playful works of art. They’re like conversations in the artist’s studio or favorite café, not to be hurried,” remarked Malcolm Warner, deputy director at the Kimbell Art Museum. “We hope our visitors will take the time to savor them.” Following up on hints they found in the work of Paul Cézanne, and brimming with youthful bravado, Picasso and Braque created pictorial puzzles, comprehensible to a point but full of false leads and contradictions. Viewers pick up a few clues—a figure, a pipe, a moustache, a bottle, a glass, a musical instrument, a newspaper, a playing card—and these start to suggest a reality in three dimensions. The impression is that of a fast, modern world, with glimpses of models, friends, and the paraphernalia of drinking and smoking. But things never fully add up, either in detail or as a whole—and deliberately so. Teasingly elusive, the image is a construction of forms and signs that the artist has put together in a spirit of parody and play. The pleasure for the viewer is to let go of all normal expectations and enter into the game, which is an endlessly intriguing one.

Put this on your list of Things to Do in Fort Worth this summer.  For more exhibits and information about museums in the Fort Worth Cultural District, visit our website at http://www.fortworth.com/visitors/things-to-do/