Happening alongside the Reno Rodeo for the first time is the Reno Cowboy Expo, hosted at the Reno Events Center in downtown.
The event is an extension of the Reno Rodeo and is presented by Caesars Entertainment and Group W Productions. Caesars is a sponsor of the rodeo and wanted to increase its presence with this cowboy Christmas style event.
“I think it grows Rodeo, right? And we want to make June rodeo month here in Northern Nevada,” said Tony Marini, a Vice President of Caesars Entertainment. “This just helps that. So, this is one thing, one step towards what we're trying to accomplish.”
Vendors are both local and from across the nation, all here to sell their wares to rodeo-goers. Folks can find everything from handmade jewelry to candied almonds to heavily discounted boots, and small western boutiques.
“I love doing this because I love to meet so many amazing people. And everybody here has just been so nice,” said Brittney Bequette, the owner of Western Wink Boutique. “I love making women just feel beautiful and like dressing them up and making them feel confident in their own skin as well.”
The expo is a family affair, giving folks a place to browse and stay out of the Northern Nevada heat while supporting both the local economy and the western industry.
“Just looking around, wanted to check it out,” said shopper Hagan Kelce. “First time this has come through like this, so, figured we'd check it out. It’s free to come to, so that's a big bonus.”
Other folks made the trip from out of town and stopped by the expo to support the western culture that the Reno Rodeo represents.
“I just come over here to support and check out the marketplace and everything that's going on in Reno,” said shopper Del Mark.
The Reno Cowboy Expo has hundreds of vendors and thousands have already visited.
The event runs now through Saturday and is open from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. For more information, visit the event webpage here: TheRenoExpo.com.
