Economic Impact: High School Rodeo Finals Gallop Into Abilene
By: Homa Bash
Updated: June 13, 2012
Teenage cowboys and cowgirls from all over Texas have taken over the Taylor County Expo Center this week.
Nearly a thousand teens are competing in the Texas High School Rodeo Association Finals and they've brought plenty of family and friends along for the event.
Officials estimated that the visitors pour in $1.6 million into Abilene's economy.
But with fancy buses, home-cooked food and even on-site entertainment, do these rodeo families ever really need to leave?
One competitor told us her family rarely leaves the campus, cooking meals and sleeping in their RV on the grounds.
Despite that, there's no doubt the event leaves a mark on our economy.
Joe Allen, who has a deal to make hundreds of meals for competitors on site, also said it's one of the busiest weeks of the year for his restaurant.
"We see a 60 percent increase in business while they're in town," Allen said.
The Visitor's Bureau does what it can, handing out coupons to competitors for local businesses.
But some are out doing their own self-promotion.
"We come out to say hi to a lot of them, wish them luck in the competition, and also to invite them into the store," said Nicole Taylor, manager of the Buckle.
"We go to places like Primetime and out to eat, it helps to get away away from the pressure here," said competitor Bradford Loeffler.
But is there more to be done to reach out to the crowds and draw them into Abilene?
Officials estimate about 1,400 people are here for the event, which is in Abilene through Saturday.
Nearly a thousand teens are competing in the Texas High School Rodeo Association Finals and they've brought plenty of family and friends along for the event.
Officials estimated that the visitors pour in $1.6 million into Abilene's economy.
But with fancy buses, home-cooked food and even on-site entertainment, do these rodeo families ever really need to leave?
One competitor told us her family rarely leaves the campus, cooking meals and sleeping in their RV on the grounds.
Despite that, there's no doubt the event leaves a mark on our economy.
Joe Allen, who has a deal to make hundreds of meals for competitors on site, also said it's one of the busiest weeks of the year for his restaurant.
"We see a 60 percent increase in business while they're in town," Allen said.
The Visitor's Bureau does what it can, handing out coupons to competitors for local businesses.
But some are out doing their own self-promotion.
"We come out to say hi to a lot of them, wish them luck in the competition, and also to invite them into the store," said Nicole Taylor, manager of the Buckle.
"We go to places like Primetime and out to eat, it helps to get away away from the pressure here," said competitor Bradford Loeffler.
But is there more to be done to reach out to the crowds and draw them into Abilene?
Officials estimate about 1,400 people are here for the event, which is in Abilene through Saturday.
