Western Heritage Classic breaks records as Expo Center revenues climb

By Bruce Campbell

Abilene’s 40th Annual Western Heritage Classic attracted people from as many as 37 states to the Taylor County Expo Center in May. Expo Center General Manager Rochelle Johnson said the most distant attendees were from Loveland, Poland.

She also reported that they had the largest ranch horse sale ever with one horse selling for $175,000. And the event had 16 ranch chuck wagons, the largest number in 25 years.

Johnson said Expo revenues this year have been boosted by increased venue tax receipts, which are shared with Frontier Texas! Due to increased hotel/motel occupancy rates, venue tax income is close to double as compared to previous years.

Some of the upcoming activities at the Expo Center in June will be the Texas High School Finals Rodeo starting on June 4, which brings an estimated 700 contestants as well as 2,500 attendees; on June 15, the National Cushman Convention, which comes to Abilene every 7 or 8 years; the National Junior Shorthorn Show on June 20, bringing in over 1,000 visitors; and the Original Team Roping Finals on June 29 with as many as 5,000 fans.