The National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado, one of the largest livestock events in the country has been delayed due to COVID-19. The 16-day event, which usually takes place every January, has been pushed to 2022.
The show’s board couldn’t find a way to comply with the state’s restrictions on social distancing and public gatherings, according to a release. The show typically attracts 700,000 people every year, including thousands of Oklahomans.
“Ultimately, the health and safety of our guests, exhibitors, volunteers and staff is of top priority and the NWSS and the City of Denver could not find a path forward to have Stock Show and comply with the rules that govern gatherings of our size and rules of social distancings,” National Western Stock Show president Paul Andrews said in a statement.
The board says it explored going to a virtual event, but taking the event online would be expensive and difficult to judge.
The National Western Stock Show has only been cancelled once in more than a hundred years, due to an outbreak of hoof and mouth disease in 1915. It’s the first national show that’s been cancelled due to COVID-19.
