LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Thousands turned out for the annual Helldorado Days Rodeo at the Plaza Hotel and Casino’s Core Arena in Downtown Las Vegas on Saturday.
“Walking up, I smelled the manure, and it felt like home,” Las Vegas transplant from Georgia, Jenuwine Brooks said.
From bull riding to barrel racing, team roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, and bareback riding, attendees got a front-row look at the action.
Local resident Justin Franco said it was his first time attending the rodeo.
“That’s the great thing about Las Vegas is that you don’t have to visit the world to get to experience events like this,” he shared.
Bareback contestants like Darien Johnson traveled from Utah to attend with it being his first rodeo in Las Vegas.
“I haven’t been a part of this one or NFR. I just graduated from college so it’s my first time here and it’s a jam packed two-days with so much going on. It’s madness,” Johnson added.
Natashia White with the Plaza Hotel & Casino shared with 8 News Now that after tallying up all the RSVPs and VIPs, nearly 10,000 people signed up to attend.
“Each year during this time, this town turns country and with all of the hotels that we have, we can host everyone,” White shared. “We had a full house on Friday and we kept telling the crowd to squeeze in because so many people were waiting to get a seat.”
While general admission was free, contestants could win up to $40,000 in prizes. Plus obtain a coveted spot at the National Finals Rodeo for 2025.
