American Royal brings a fun atmosphere with an after-the-rodeo dance

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The American Royal understands tradition, from its decades of producing championship events to holding tight to its mission for youth, education and agriculture.

That’s why many associated with this year’s fall festival are excited about the overall celebration that will surround this year’s American Royal Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, and Saturday, Sept. 29, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Hale Arena in the American Royal complex.

In addition to festivities and bands playing before the rodeo performances, there will be a rodeo dance following the Friday and Saturday shows in Grand Hall near Hale Arena. Nashville recording artist Bucky Covington will perform Friday, Sept. 28, and J.T. Hodges, a Texas-based country artist, will entertain Saturday, Sept. 29.

Combined, the rodeo and all the entertainment surrounding it will provide fans with a great deal of intimacy.

“That’s what we want the rodeo to be,” said Alex Lowe, the other co-chairman who works closely with Bryan Beaver on the overall aspects of the rodeo’s association with the American Royal’s Fall Festival. “We’re trying to bring some of the excitement back. We’re tying it in with all the other events. If we can pack it all together, then we can offer a better fan experience.

“When I go to a rodeo, that’s what I enjoy.”

The move to Hale Arena provides a great experience for the fans looking to get the most bang for their entertainment dollar. It will allow for an up-close-and-personal feel for those who enjoy music, entertainment and the very best professional rodeo has to offer.

“But what you get in Hale is the intimacy of the event,” Beaver said. “This is a great arena for the tried-and-true rodeo fans, and they’ll love the intimacy.”

The timing allows this year’s rodeo to coincide with the American Royal Parade, which takes place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, on Grand Boulevard; it’s also the weekend before the American Royal’s World Series of Barbecue®.

“Pairing it with our parade and the barbecue adds a lot of excitement to our fall festival,” Lowe said.

But the overall experience of the rodeo will allow fans looking for affordable family entertainment to enjoy their time in the West Bottoms.

“We want people to come down and make it a Royal experience,” Beaver said. “I think having it right there keeps our rodeo at home. A lot of the feedback we got from fans last year was that it was fun having it at the Sprint Center, but that it’s not where it belongs.

“It was fun to try, but certainly it’s going to be good to have our heritage events at our heritage location.”