Tom Thumb Texas Stampede Moves to Allen Event Center
The real cowboys are coming to Allen, Texas, this November as the city becomes the new host home for the Tom Thumb Texas Stampede. The 10th Annual Tom Thumb Texas Stampede features the world’s top-ranked cowboys and cowgirls competing in the popular invitational rodeo.
Allen City Mayor Stephen Terrell said, The Tom Thumb Texas Stampede is all about cowboys, concerts and helping kids which makes it a perfect fit for Allen and the Allen Event Center. They were looking for a new home in a community that would be engaged in helping grow the event. Allen is that community. Beyond championship rodeo and great concerts, the Texas Stampede is a 501 © (3) organization that has contributed close to $3 million to children’s charities in North Texas. The primary beneficiary of the Stampede has been Children’s Medical Center, one of the nation’s largest pediatric hospitals. It is the only pediatric facility in Texas and in the Southwest designated as a Level I Trauma Center making it one of only 15 in the nation. In 2009, Texas Stampede added Child Care Group (CCG) to its roster of charitable recipients. Founded in 1901, CCGs strategic focus is expansion of quality child care, especially infant care and partially subsidized care for working poor families. CCG is one of the largest non-profit organizations in Dallas. The rodeo, set for November 12 and 13 at the Allen Event Center, features bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and barrel racing by the sport’s top contestants followed each night by a full-length concert with national artists.
As part of the venues move to Allen, the event will expand to include a Western Heritage Festival, a four-day celebration of the history and culture of North Texas. The festival will include western art, a western marketplace, live music and performances by local and regional groups, childrens activities and a barbeque cook-off. The Western Heritage Festival will have components at the Allen Event Center and related locations throughout The Village at Allen and run from November 10 – 13.
Stampede President Tommy Reynolds said, “We have been overwhelmed by the support and welcome that the entire city and community has shown since making the decision to relocate. Allen offers the active participation and commitment we needed to build this new component to the event, the Western Heritage Festival. Allen also offers the opportunity to extend the reach of the event into Collin County, the new destination county that continues to grow and be a big draw for visitors.”¯Another new event feature for 2010 includes a Saturday matinee performance featuring Championship Bull Riding, Horizon Tour Series. A long-standing tradition of the Tom Thumb Texas Stampede, the Ranchers Reserve Cattle Drive will also move to the streets of Allen. As the official kick-off to the event, the cattle drive features cowboys, contestants, rodeo queens, and chuck wagons leading Longhorn cattle through the urban landscape.
Mayor Terrell said, “The cattle drive is unique, an activity native to our Texas history that will be set within a modern community backdrop. This is a great opportunity for area elementary students to experience what was once a prominent part of cattle ranching. From the cattle drive to the festival, rodeo and concerts -all ages will find something to enjoy.”¯
Series tickets are currently available by calling the Texas Stampede office at 214.520.8874 or by visiting www.texasstampede.org. Individual performance tickets will go on sale in August.
Watch for upcoming announcements related to the event activities and concert performers. Information will be available online through the Allen Event Center, www.alleneventcenter.com, or from the Tom Thumb Texas Stampede website at www.texasstampede.org.
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