Arizona’s Premier Show Celebrates 77 Years
Writer Shannon Severson
The early morning air fills with the sounds of bleating sheep, lowing cattle and excited young voices as exhibitors prepare their animals for competition.
While the trappings of life in the Valley tend toward the urban and suburban, Arizona maintains strong ties to its rural history and traditions, which come alive Dec. 27–31 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, where the 77th annual Arizona National Livestock Show continues a Western legacy that began in 1948.
Tyler Grandil, executive director of the show, oversees what has become the largest livestock show in the Southwest, drawing participants from all over the United States — not just for the chance at $240,000 in premium awards but also for the experience.
“Being as far west as we are, [the show is] a destination type of event,” Grandil notes. “Over and over again, exhibitors say this is a bucket list item; they’ve always wanted to attend.”
The Arizona National Livestock Show attracts predominantly junior competitors ages 8 to 20 who are expected to bring 1,000 pigs, 800 sheep, 800 goats and about 400 head of cattle – a division open to any age – from 35 states. Exhibitors as young as 6 will compete in pre-junior events, some featuring miniature Hereford cows.
The event features multiple competitions, including a horse show at Scottsdale’s WestWorld equine complex, heifer show, stock dog herding competition, farm experience and ranch rodeo – all showcasing the skills and dedication of young participants.
A team of 120 volunteers, including veterinarians, veterinary students, photo crews and animal lovers, help attendees of the four- or two-footed variety feel right at home.
Grandil says most of the livestock shown and sold at the event are for breeding purposes, preserving the best phenotypes for both family and commercial operations. But beyond the business aspects, the show nurtures something equally valuable: Family traditions.
“Livestock shows have become a way that families raise their children,” Grandil explains. “Some families want their children to experience what they grew up with.”
These families are onto something. Studies published in multiple scientific journals cite the positive effects of parental involvement and the positive, hardworking environment in which youngsters in livestock families are raised. Benefits include emotional health, self-esteem, academic achievement, positive social behaviors and even lower tobacco use and substance abuse.
“The feel you get when you come here is one of community and a sense of family,” Grandil observes. “It’s like a little reunion among exhibitors. They camp together and root for each other. It’s amazing, the camaraderie you see.”
The Arizona National Livestock Show has strengthened these community bonds through its expanded presence on social media, where its TikTok videos of past winners sharing their lives have drawn up to 43 million views on a single post.
“[The social media posts are] going all over the world,” he says. “We have a responsibility to educate people about agriculture. Our exhibitors love their animals, and our camera crew travels around the country to highlight them. We are exhibitor-centric, and we want them to be the heroes.”
Visitors can experience this vibrant agricultural community firsthand through various events. At the Ranch Rodeo, competitors perform typical ranch chores for speed and accuracy, while the stock dog trials showcase sharp canines herding cattle and sheep to the delight of the crowd.
The Farm Experience educates young and old about the care and feeding of farm animals and their importance in agriculture. Little ones will enjoy the Wrangler Round-Up rodeo experience, pedal tractor pull and dummy roping, while all ages can cheer on young competitors in the Li’l Buckaroo Rodeo and goat roping events or try out the Farming Simulator video game. Players can simulate agricultural management and test their virtual farming skills in a Bale Stacker tournament.
As the Arizona National Livestock Show expects to welcome 6,000 people to this year’s events, it’s clear that the dedication to agricultural pursuits — even in our increasingly digital world — remains alive and well here in Arizona, preserving valuable traditions for future generations.
Arizona National Livestock Show
Dec. 27–31 // 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. // Arizona State Fairgrounds // 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix // Free // anls.org
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