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| DESCRIPTION: Started as a livestock show in 1899, the American Royal aims to educate the public about agriculture and celebrates Kansas City's heritage of equestrian sports, rodeo and livestock shows. The American Royal Complex, totaling more than 300,000 square feet of exhibition space, includes Kemper Arena and Hale Arena, which is home to the American Royal Museum and Visitors Center. The complex plays host to several large-scale events throughout the year including the American Royal Barbecue Competition the first weekend of October, followed by six weeks of rodeos, horse and livestock shows. |
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| ADDRESS: 1701 American Royal Court, Kansas City, Mo. |
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| LOCATION: In Kansas City's historic Stockyards District. |
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| PHONE: 816-221-9800 |
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| WEB SITE: www.americanroyal.com |
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HIGHLIGHTS:
- Attracting thousands each September, the American Royal kicks off its fall season with a parade featuring more than 150 floats and balloons.
- The American Royal Barbecue, the world's largest barbecue competition draws more than 500 teams the first weekend of October.
- The American Royal Livestock, Horse Show and Rodeo features some of the nation's most talented competitors, country music entertainers, a commercial trade show and a petting zoo.
- Inside the American Royal Museum and Visitors Center, youngsters can compare their weights with various livestock or train themselves to be an American Royal judge.
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| HOURS: Open during specific events during the American Royal season or by request. |
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| ADMISSION: Contact Visitors Center for details. |
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| ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: The Museum and Visitors Center attracts 6,000-10,000 annually. |
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| HISTORY: What began as a small tent show in the Kansas City stockyards in 1899 has grown into the annual American Royal Livestock show, drawing an audience of more than 69,000 owners, breeders, agricultural leaders and animal enthusiasts from a 30-state region. A horse show division joined the event ticket in 1903, first featuring Percheron draft and foreign coach horses. The American Royal Rodeo, a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned event, joined the show in 1976 and continues to draw more than 80,000 visitors annually. The entire eight-week event now includes a grand parade, country music concerts, a petting zoo and a barbecue contest. |
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| WHERE TO GET LUNCH: Founded by Jay Dillingham, president and Chairman of the Board of the Kansas City Stockyards Company, The Golden Ox Restaurant & Lounge (1600 Genessee) features a full menu of steaks, sandwiches and steak burgers. |
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| WHAT'S NEARBY: Built through a partnership between Kansas City and American Royal in 1974 and located in the American Royal Complex, Kemper Arena plays host to arena football's Kansas City Brigade, sports competitions and national touring shows and concerts. |
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| HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES: Visitors can experience Kansas City barbecue at its best and most diverse every October by volunteering, judging or competing in the American Royal Barbecue. Applications are available online. |
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| DON'T FORGET: Your appetite. Each October, more than 500 teams from around the nation compete in the American Royal Barbeque Competition to raise money for American Royal scholarships. Nicknamed the "World Series of Barbeque Competition," the event has become the largest barbecue competition in the world and draws more than 70,000 visitors each fall. |
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| GROUP TOURS: The American Royal Museum and Visitors Center located inside of the Governor's Building offers educational tours to school groups and public visitors. Interactive exhibits highlight the founding of the American Royal, the role of agri-business and the history of the Kansas City livestock community. |
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DRIVING THERE: From downtown Kansas City: Take 12th Street west to Genessee. Travel two blocks to the American Royal building.
From the north: Take I-29 S/I-35 S across the Paseo Bridge. Take I-70 E to I-670 W. Exit at the Wyoming/Genessee/Kemper Arena exit. Turn left onto Genessee. Follow the arena signs.
From the west: Take I-70 E to I-670 E. Take Exit 1B, Wyoming/Genessee/Kemper Arena and then turn right on Genessee.
From the east: Take I-70 W to I-670 W. Exit at the Wyoming/Genessee/Kemper Arena exit and then turn left on Genessee.
From the south: Take I-35 N to I-670 W. Exit at Wyoming/Genessee/Kemper Arena exit and then turn left on Genessee.
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| PARKING: Public parking is available in lots adjacent to the Hale Arena, the American Royal Building and at the Liberty Parking Lot (at Liberty and 16th). There is also a public parking garage located at Genessee and 16th. |
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| PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Jim McNair, vice president of marketing, 816-569-4045 or jimm@americanroyal.com. |
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