National Western Stock Show kicks off in Denver this week

Coming up this Thursday, celebrations for the National Western Stock Show will begin in Denver with a cattle drive through downtown.

The tradition will be part of a parade which begins at noon and will run from Union Station to 17 th Street, 15 blocks away.

The parade will feature longhorn cattle, horses and western-style wagons.

Several other events are on the docket as well.

Kicking off the day is a 4H and FFA meat judging contest on Jan 7, beginning at 8 a.m. on the CSU campus in Fort Collins.

The Colorado fiddle championship will begin at 9 a.m. in the Beef Palace Auction Arena.

A little later, at 11 a.m., the Colorado vs the World rodeo will get underway. Tickets are still available for the event and can be purchased here.