Each year, downtown Las Vegas – Fremont Street, to be precise – plays an integral role in the Wrangler National Finals rodeo experience. In fact, the Wrangler NFR doesn’t really start until downtown Vegas says so.
On the Wednesday evening before the first round, the Fremont Street Experience hosts the Downtown Hoedown annually. So on that first Wednesday in December 2020 it was quite a disappointment not to have a hoedown that was lost in the pandemic.
Thankfully, the NFR has returned to Vegas after spending a year in suburban Dallas, and Fremont Street is already in the middle of a week and a half run that began with Downtown Hoedown on Wednesday.
“The Hoedown is an absolute blast for us,” said Paul McGuire, Fremont Street Experience’s chief marketing officer. “It is rare that we can activate all three of our permanent levels. This event starts so early in the evening that we can play on all three stages. The vibe of the city, all these cowboys and cowgirls are coming out, it’s a great event and a great, positive crowd. “
After the hoedown, Fremont Street rolls out the red carpet for rodeo fans every 10 nights of the NFR. The video canopy is one of the outdoor highlights and has received a huge boost of energy since the last NFR hosted in Vegas in December 2019.
“We have a new $ 32 million screen. We used to need darkness to operate the screen. Now we can use it around the clock, ”said McGuire, noting that the massive pillars that support the canopy have their own LED screens. “You will marry the two of them together and it is an immersive visual experience.”
Then there’s the lovely new elephant in the Fremont Street area.
“Since the last time we saw NFR, we’ve had a brand new shiny toy called Circa,” said McGuire, alluding to the bold downtown casino that opened fall 2020 and was the brainchild of Derek Stevens. “Circa complements the NFR itself very well.”
Arguably the greatest cheerleader to bring Las Vegas back from a lost year, Stevens certainly won’t deny McGuire’s point of view. He is keen to have one more downtown property – Stevens also owns The D and the Golden Gate – in-game for the NFR.
“We’ve always been a huge supporter of the NFR, even before I got to Vegas with the Golden Gate and The D,” said Stevens, who as a board member of Las Vegas Events played a prominent role in promoting the NFR. “Since Circa is in the mix, it offers another alternative for people who stay in the city center. Despite the pandemic, Las Vegas has never stopped growing. If you haven’t been here in two years or more, there is a lot new to do in Las Vegas. We at Circa are definitely excited to be there and look forward to having the NFR back in town. We will take care of many cowboys and cowgirls and their fans. “
And not just in Stevens’ sparkling new venue – with Barry’s Downtown Prime Steakhouse, incredible views from the Rooftop Legacy Club, and popular Stadium Swim – but also in the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, which is one of the bigger footprints for NFR. has been watching parties.
“The key to us is what we did at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. We show the NFR live every evening. We bring music, there is a dance floor, live rodeo feeds, good food and drink, ”said Stevens. “People often come to the NFR for four days, but maybe only visit the NFR for a night or two. So they look for other places to come by and watch. Watch parties are really our thing and we plan to blow it out this year. “
The Golden Nugget has a long and successful relationship with the NFR that has been in Vegas since 1985. Hollie O’Brien, vice president of marketing for the Golden Nugget, is just as excited as McGuire and Stevens to have this show back on the street in 2021.
“Of course we see ourselves as part of the fabric of Las Vegas and downtown. As such, we have a rich history with and loyalty to the NFR, ”said O’Brien. “We were one of the first hotels to have headline entertainment during the NFR.”
Charlie Daniels, Tanya Tucker, and countless others have made their way through the Golden Nugget’s showroom over the years. Jo Dee Messina started Thursday night, Tanya Tucker played tonight, followed by a lot more star power every night of the NFR. Jamey Johnson closes things on December 10th.
“We have phenomenal entertainment every night,” said O’Brien. “Let’s face it, the party still goes on every night after the rodeo.”
As usual, the Golden Nugget also serves as the headquarters for the 15 barrel racers who qualify for the Wrangler NFR. That alone is a welcome repetition for O’Brien.
“The little girls come out and stand around the building for autograph sessions. It’s very cute, ”she said.
After a year of absence, the return of the NFR and the role of downtown Vegas in the event simply cannot be overstated.
“The NFR has been really missed because of the atmosphere it brings,” said McGuire. “The NFR is huge to the goal, and then we are a goal within the goal. We all come here to set the tone. We are very happy to have her again and this year will be bigger and better than ever. “
