The parking lot in front of the San Angelo Coliseum was empty Friday afternoon, but inside the fairground gates near the Wells Fargo Pavilion and the 1st Community Federal Credit Union Spur Arena, people hustled and bustled in preparation for tomorrow’s opening of the 84th Annual San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo.
In the Spur Arena, staff spent their time cleaning down seats and putting the final touches for tomorrow evening’s big opening performance at 7:30 p.m.
Nearby, in the Sheep, Goat & Swine Barn, two teenagers from Iraan, Texas with the FFA, were getting their goats ready for their big showing. Allie Camarillo, who said this is her first year showing goats, said she really enjoys training and spending time with them.
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“Yes, it does take a lot of work, but I enjoy doing something productive,” Camarillo said.
The teenager admitted she has a lot to learn. However, she stated, “I’m getting there.”
Classmate Halee Degraffenreig said, “I just like having goats to work with because it’s like having another pet.”
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One struggle Halee said she had to face in the beginning with training her goats is stubbornness.
“We got through it,” she stated about the process.
The teens said they will be at the SS&R through tomorrow; however, the coordinator and Ag teacher in Iraan, Patina Crowder, said more students will be coming through to show their livestock.
This is Crowder’s 23rd year doing this, and she said she always comes to San Angelo’s event.
“Anyone who wants to come, I bring them over,” she said.
Crowder noted that the students from Iraan show goats, pigs and steer. Overall, she loves being a part of something that brings growth to her students. Her favorite part of this whole process is “seeing these kids grow up and have a good time and gain some confidence.”
Crowder also said watching the students work together as a team is important.
“Teamwork—working together—is what I’m interested in,” she stated.
Also, within the fairgrounds, several vendors were setting up their wares in an aesthetically pleasing way to entice all visitors.
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Toni McAdams from Abilene with Oregon Trail Jerky was busy setting up 20 flavors of beef jerky for visitors to sample come opening day.
“We love the Stock Show & Rodeo,” McAdams said. “This is one of our best shows.”
The company McAdams represents has been around for over 20 years.
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“I just eat it and sell it,” she said about her role in the process. McAdams said her personal favorite is Teriyaki Black Pepper. The jerky vendor will be available for the entire duration of the SS&R, and McAdams said she hopes people will stop by to see why the jerky she sells is “worth crossin’ the trail for.”
Two other vendors, the Cooks, also set up their tables. Mr. Cook’s Outback Creations is part of a dying art form, and Brenda’s Chocolate Factory has the taste people have enjoyed for more than 15 years at the SS&R. Brenda said they look forward to the return customers.
“I taught school, so I [also] see a lot of my students,” Brenda said. She also said seeing the same vendors who have participated in the Stock Show is also like a big family gathering.
As for Mr. Cook’s “dying art form”, he makes pretty much anything out of leather.
“He does customer orders, and sometimes gets several orders from doing this,” Brenda said about her husband’s creations. She said this his talent is the primary reason they come to the showcase.
“He has gone as far as Montana,” Brenda said. “Last year, we went to Montana and did a show right after this one, and then his work is in the Western Art [Collector] magazine. We’ve done Ruidoso Cowboy Symposium for many many years also; and then the one in Vegas. He’s done this for 18-ish years. When he retired, he started doing this, and he’s pretty good.”
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San Angelo and all its visitors can see all these things and more at this year’s Stock Show & Rodeo. For the full schedule, click here.
Megan Holmquest contributed to this article.
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