Your Guide to Workwear, PPE, and Hazard Protection Clothing

Workwear is clothing made more durable and resistant to hazards encountered on the job. Many who work in trades need Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) clothing for safety reasons. If you work in a field where you encounter daily hazards such as thermal extremes, molten metal, electrical currents, heavy materials, or other hazards, it’s important that you are geared up in clothing that is reliable, safe, and functional. At Cavender’s, we offer workwear that works as hard as you do.

Work Boots

There are different parts you’ll want to pay attention to when picking out your work boots:

• Sole – Rubber soles are the most popular option for work boots. They can be oil and slip resistant and can protect you from electrical hazards. Some even offer barnyard acid-resistant soles to protect against all the muck you’ll have to wade through when working with livestock.

• Safety Toe – The type of toe you need for your work boots will depend on what your trade you are in. The toe protection can be soft, metal or composite. Metal and composite toes offer the most protection. If you regularly work with heavy materials or on construction sites around heavy machinery, steel toe work boots might be your best bet because they offer the sturdiest protection. However, you’ll have to consider your environment. If you work in extreme temperatures, a composite toe work boot might be better because it won’t react as much to extreme hot or cold temperatures like a steel toe work boot might. A composite toe can also come in handy if you work with electrical currents or have to go through metal detectors daily.

To learn more about the anatomy of work boots, check out our handy work boot guide.

Work Clothes

When it comes to PPE clothing and workwear, safety is the most important concern. Depending on your job hazards or what you encounter while working, you’ll need work clothes that provide protection but are still comfortable so you can stay focused and work hard throughout your day. Here are a few things to consider:

• Materials – your clothing material will be a big factor in what can help you stay safe on the job. Material like wool will help keep you dry if you work with water or fluids and can also be flame resistant. Heavy, thick fabrics can protect you from cuts and scrapes from sharp, heavy, or rough objects or machinery. Rubber is good for protecting against acids and chemicals. Leather helps guard against dry heat and flame.
• Flame resistant clothing – Cavender’s offers clothes with fire resistant (FR) technology that meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requirements. Browse our FR shirts in both business casual and casual. We also offer FR jackets and vests, so you’re covered no matter the weather. In addition, we have a line of FR jeans, overalls, and coveralls.

• Temperature extremes – An important aspect of work clothes you don’t want to overlook is the temperatures you’ll be working around while on the job. For some this may be due to their location and extreme weather in the winter or summer, while others might encounter extreme temperatures just due to the nature of their job. Whether hot or cold, we have thick, insulated work jackets available as well as loose, thin material that offers sun protection too.

Work Accessories

Hard work means using gear that will keep pace with you, so you don’t have to slow down while on the job. Here are some work accessories that can help you keep up:

• Work hats – Hats are particularly important to consider if you work outside in frigid temperatures. We have knitted beanies, including some with removeable face coverings so you can stay warm and focused while working. Cavender’s also offers welding caps to protect from sparks.
• Work gloves – Because there are so many different types of jobs that include working with your hands, there are a lot of different work gloves and glove materials out there. Lucky for you, Cavender’s carries a large assortment to meet your working needs – thick material, different types of leather, and ones that focus on dexterity.

In order to do your best work, you need workwear that can keep up with you. For durable, reliable work boots and clothing, Cavender’s has you covered. We have PPE and safety clothing for all different kinds of trades so you can worry about getting the job done right while staying safe. Browse our workwear online for men or women or check out your local Cavender’s where one of our knowledgeable store associates can help you.

Community Events for November 2022

State Fair of Louisiana | Shreveport, LA | 10/27 – 11/13

Welcome to the 116th edition of the State Fair of Louisiana! The State Fair dates are October 27 – November 13 (Closed on 10/31, 11/1 & 11/7). Please join us for the largest livestock show and carnival in the state. The State Fair of Louisiana is a not for profit organization run by a board of directors and staff.

Waco Cattle Baron’s Gala | West, TX | 11/5

Join us at the American Cancer Society 2022 Central Texas Cattle Baron’s Ball on Saturday, November 5, 2022, for a one-of-a-kind evening, featuring great food, dancing, a spectacular auction, and much more. With your support, the American Cancer Society saves lives by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back against cancer.

The American Cancer Society is working to finish the fight against every cancer in every community. We are the largest private, not-for-profit funder of cancer research in the United States, investing more than $4 billion since 1946. Thanks in part to our contributions, more than 1.5 million lives have been saved in the US in the past two decades. Now, that is a reason to celebrate, so please join us. We hope to see you there!

Boots For Troops Concert in the Country | Magnolia, TX | 11/5

Over the past 6 years Boots For Troops Concert in the Country has raised over $500,000 for Boots For Troops programs. Helping put smiles on the faces of service members all around the world with their custom care package program. Boots For Troops also flies troops home for the holidays and emergency situations, provides military spouse scholarships & sponsors a fully trained service dog. All ticket sales benefit the organization.

MD Anderson Boot Walk To End Cancer | Houston, TX | 11/5

oin us for MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer®. We hope you will participate in the seventh annual event either in person or virtually as we raise awareness of our mission to end cancer in Texas, across the nation and around the world.

Every day we are focused on Making Cancer History® by supporting patients and their loved ones throughout their cancer journey and advancing research discoveries to slow, stop or prevent cancer. You can join us in person on Saturday, Nov. 5, in the Texas Medical Center or walk 1.2 miles in the comfort of your neighborhood, demonstrating that together, we can give cancer the boot!

Power of the Purse Luncheon | Tyler, TX | 11/8

We believe that together is better. Through collective giving, we transform our community by funding programs that enrich the lives of women and children.

Collective giving enables the Women’s Fund to leverage the philanthropic capacity of individual members and create a truly impactful fund of philanthropic dollars. Through our membership model, we empower women to make transformative gifts to the community.

The Women’s Fund of Smith County is open to any woman with a giving heart. As individuals, we pledge our annual gift; together, we award impact grants to nonprofits. Our grant recipients are thoroughly vetted during an extensive grants review process conducted by our volunteer Grants Committee, so every member can trust that her dollars are being used effectively to enrich the lives of women and children in Smith County.

WPRA World Finals | Waco, TX | 11/10 – 11/13

The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) is the oldest women’s sports organization in the country. The Association started in 1948 with a group of Texas ranch women who wanted to add a little color and femininity to the rough-and-tumble sport of rodeo. A major move at the time, 38 women met in a hotel in San Angelo, Texas, on February 28, 1948, to change the way they were being treated in the male-dominated world of rodeo. These women banded together to create the very first professional sports association created solely for women by women – the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA).

WRCA World Championship Ranch Rodeo | Amarillo, TX | 11/10 – 11/13

In March of 1995, a group of people from across the western United States created the Working Ranch Cowboys Association. WRCA produces the World Championship Ranch Rodeo as a means to showcase the skills of the working ranch cowboy and to raise funds for the WRCA Foundation.

Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival | Fort Worth, TX | 11/10 – 11/12

Come see a Who’s Who of Legendary Musicians to celebrate the 91^st Anniversary of the Birth of Western Swing where Bob Wills & Milton Brown created their magical dance music.

Rockwall County Sherriff’s Posse Roundup | Rockwall, TX | 11/12

You can’t beat live music! At this year’s Roundup, we have the pleasure of hosting Summer Dean, Mike Randall, and Max & Heather Stalling! Check them out LIVE on November 12th at the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Posse Roundup!

The Cowgirl Gathering Fashion Show | Fort Worth, TX | 11/12

The Cowgirl Gathering is a celebration in the heart of Fort Worth, designed to showcase spectacular, inspirational women from all walks of life who embody the spirit of the American Cowgirl. Whether you are a competitor or just want to experience the spark of that cowgirl essence, the Cowgirl Gathering is your event. This weekend takeover of the historic Fort Worth Stockyards highlights cowgirls’ skills in breakaway roping, team roping and barrel racing, while also showcasing exhilarating and engaging female speakers. It’s her heart and soul that makes a cowgirl who she is—determined and fierce and ready to take on the world—and we’re excited to showcase that spirit in the heart and soul of Cowtown this November.

Texas Country Music Awards | Fort Worth, TX | 11/13

The Texas Country Music Association’s members, directors, and advisory council members work together to consistently assist, promote and support the Texas Country Music and Christian Country Music industries and everyone in it in every aspect possible. By partnering together, our members have helped us develop effective resources such as the Texas Country Music Awards, Texas Country Music Magazine, the Texas Country Music Chart, Texas Country Music Radio, Texas Country OnScene TV show, TCMA Artist and Songwriter Contests and Showcases, Compilation CDs and many more. We always have “another project” or event in the works!

Additionally, the Texas Country Music Association raises funds to provide Artist’s Scholarships as well as music scholarships to graduating seniors, emergency and disaster recovery support, provide medical assistance, and other charitable projects through our assistance fund, Texas Country Cares. Our purpose is and resources are dedicated to support, enable, promote, encourage and further the Texas Country Music and Christian Country Music industries and its artists in and from Texas.

National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Induction | Fort Worth, TX | 11/15

Our legendary Honorees, past and present, remind us of the opportunities we can and will continue to explore. The Hall of Fame’s purpose is to honor and promote those women who have made and are making a lasting impact in and around horse culture or within the area broadly construed as Western. The Museum proudly celebrates living and deceased Honorees who represent diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures. Many of our Honorees are nationally and internationally recognized artists or writers, champions and competitive performers, entertainers, ranchers, or trailblazers and pioneers. Over 200 extraordinary women have been inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame since 1975.

The Museum Board of Directors is proud that over the last five years significant progress has been made in identifying and honoring women of color in the Museum’s Hall of Fame. However, more progress is needed. Consequently, the Museum will remain diligent in its efforts to seek out and honor Black, Indigenous, and other women of color, past and present, whose stories have been underrepresented in the history of the West.

Cavender-Draggin’ M 18^th Annual Fall Production Sale | Jacksonville, TX | 11/18 – 11/19

We invite you to join us at Cavender’s Neches River Ranch for our 18th Annual Fall Production Sale. Our partners and cooperators have put together an outstanding set of cattle and we would love to have you as our guest as you come evaluate the offering.

Cattle Barons Galas Support the American Cancer Society’s Invaluable Mission

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is on a mission to free the world from cancer. Until that happens, ACS will fund and conduct research, while sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention. Their goal is longer lives filled with quality time for everyone.

The Cattle Baron’s Galas are annual fundraisers for the American Cancer Society. Galas generally feature food, auctions, games and live music with a western theme.

For more than 30 years Cavender’s has supported ACS through these events. The devastating effects of cancer touch many lives, including within the Cavender’s family. For this reason, it is a focus of our charitable giving, and dear to our heart.

We recently sat down with our own Brett Emmons, San Antonio store manager and Martina Robertson, Director of Development with the American Cancer Society. Martina shared with us some facts and history surrounding the Cattle Barons’ Galas. Brett is co-chairing the San Antonio Gala in October. He has personal reasons why he has gotten involved in ACS. He has devoted much of his time and passion to the organization.

How many Cattle Barons Galas are across the US? This year there are about 23 Cattle Baron’s Balls that will be happening throughout the country for the American Cancer Society.

How many of the Galas are Western themed? All of them trend to a Western theme.

What is the history of the Cattle Barons Gala? The first Cattle Baron’s Ball began in 1974 in Dallas, TX. Jacque Wynne and Patti Hunt created a backyard Barbecue for friends and family featuring entertainment and food at a private ranch. The event raised over $50,000 and the rest is history!

How much do these galas raise across the US in a year? This year, the projected total amount for all the Cattle Barons Gala events is a little over $11 million for ACS.

What do these funds go toward? Vital general cancer research.

A Brief history of ACS and the San Antonio Cattle Barons from Brett Emmons:

From left: Brett Emmons, Dr. and Mrs. Manual Santiago, Kelly Kuenstler, Mark Malesky

This year marks the 44th anniversary of the Cattle Baron’s Gala in San Antonio. It is the largest fundraiser of the year for the San Antonio area. The goal this year is to make 1 million dollars to help fund the existing programs and to bring the Hope Lodge into existence. There is the ACS fashion show as well as a Skeet shoot that are also annual events to raise funds.

The ACS Cattle Baron’s Gala and other fundraising events support the work of the ACS in San Antonio. 100% of the money raised from these events stay in the San Antonio area. Proceeds provide a range of help from rides to and from treatment to Wig fittings and all the way to funding the newest Hope Lodge in Texas. This may be the most exciting of all that is going on now. The Hope Lodge will house patients and their families if they are coming in from out of town and having to stay to receive their treatments. Free of charge! We have the property already and are working on finalizing the plans to break ground on the building. This will be only the 3rd facility of its kind in Texas.

I lost my mother to Ovarian Cancer in 1988 when I was 16. My Grandmother also lost her fight with Pancreatic Cancer a few years later. My father was a survivor of Prostate Cancer. So, I started volunteering to help make a difference in someone else’s fight. It can sometimes be very emotional working with the folks that are having to go through the fight. But it is super rewarding seeing the winners that are being produced with the help of their doctors, family and friends as well as the ACS.

I have been volunteering with the ACS for about 10 years now. I started working with the Ranch Chic Fashion show. When we took it over, they cleared around $12,000 dollars for that event. Last year the Ranch Chic Fashion show broke $100,000 for the first time ever. I have also served on the Baron’s Award committee and Served as Chairman of that committee for 3 years. I am now honored to be one of the ACS’s Cattle Baron’s Gala Co-Chairs. I was concerned about having enough time to do this position justice. What I found is that the time is there! Especially, when you are doing it to see what good comes out of it. I truly believe we all should be giving back to the communities we live in, in one form or another. I feel it is a mission that we should all take upon ourselves. We all can donate. Whether it be time, talent, or treasure, we all have something we can give back. My passion is working with the ACS. It is worth the time to find your passion for helping others.

I am very blessed to work for a company like Cavender’s that supports the ACS in most all our markets. They also help to support me personally, with time and donations, to help my mission in working with the ACS. Cavender’s was awarded the Baron’s Award for outstanding business of the year for the ACS. It has been a wonderful thing seeing what local businesses and individuals have done to show their support. I have found that people really want to help and sometimes all it takes is to ask. This disease affects all of us. It doesn’t see color. It doesn’t see gender. It is ugly and it is mean. But I truly believe with the research that is being done, also being funded by ACS donations, that we will someday see an end to Cancer! My hope is that you reach out to your local chapter of The American Cancer Society and see what you can do for them. Utilize your time or your talent or your treasure to give back to those in your community that need help.

The American Cancer Society is the nation’s largest private, nonprofit investor in cancer research. Since 1946, the American Cancer Society has invested more than $3.8 billion in research to help understand cancer’s causes, determine how best to prevent it, and discover new ways to cure it. If you would like to donate, you can do that here.

Community Events for October 2022

Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo | Pasadena, TX | 9/23 – 10/1

The Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo seeks to exclude no one. All are welcome to become part of the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo family by becoming a volunteer or being a contestant or a visitor. We look forward to sharing our success with you. It is because of people such as yourself and business such as yours that we are successful in providing educational opportunities for area students.

East Texas State Fair | Tyler, TX | 9/23 – 10/2

The East Texas State Fair is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes through the operation of an annual event promoting education, entertainment and the spirit of competition. The Fair is committed to agricultural heritage, families and service to the community. Our mission is also to create commerce for Tyler and Smith County by providing venues for others to utilize and by drawing participants to the complex. Since 1992 the East Texas State Fair has offered $877,000 in scholarships.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta | Albuquerque, NM | 10/1 – 10/9

For nine days in October the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, creates an enchanted world of special shape balloon rodeos, twilight balloon glows, and vibrant balloon-filled skies. Brisk autumnal mornings in the Rio Grande Valley create an otherworldly backdrop for the breathtaking majesty of our most popular event, Mass Ascension. The experience of watching hundreds of gentle airy giants take flight is at once humbling and inspiring. It’s the allure of these magical moments and more that have continued to bring ballooning fans worldwide together for more than 50 years.

Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation Tyler Pro-Am | Tyler, TX | 10/3

The Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation began in 2007 in Tyler shortly after retired Senior PGA Tour professional Dick Goetz met Ron Nash of Dallas, a retired Navy Lt. Commander, at a golf tournament in Dallas.

The inaugural event in 2008 was a one-day Pro-Am with seven wounded warriors from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio participating. The following year, a two-day event for 17 wounded warriors included a party the first night and a Pro-Am the next day.

Businesses from Tyler and the golfing industry have provided excellent sponsorship support over the years that the Pro-Am has been held. Over $7,000,000 has been raised to help wounded warriors since the first Pro-Am was held. More than 700 wounded warriors and their families have received assistance.

The Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation focuses on providing help to wounded warriors who live in Texas.

American Royal Livestock Show | Kansas City, MO | 10/5 – 10/23

The American Royal is the nation’s highest caliber livestock show providing a premier experience for exhibitors. Rooted in our legacy, which began in 1899, we are committed to providing a platform for competition, scholarships, and education. A Kansas City tradition, the American Royal is focused on creating an environment where all feel welcomed, where agriculture is elevated, and champions are crowned.

In 2020, over 2,768 exhibitors entered the American Royal Livestock Show from 40 states and Canada. In 2019, over 1,700 exhibitors from 38 states made the trip to Kansas City for the Royal. Throughout the two-week show, over 3,500 head of the nation’s highest quality cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats were exhibited at the American Royal Complex.

Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo | Waco, TX | 10/6 – 10/16

The Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo, held at the Extraco Events Center in Waco is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We operate year-round along side our more than 500 active volunteers, fulfilling our mission to produce events for education, entertainment and agricultural experiences at the premier multi-use facility while giving back through youth scholarships and a positive economic impact to Central Texas.

Over the past 70 years, the Fair & Rodeo has offered Central Texas a place to come and support the community while enjoying the sights, sounds and smells that make the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo what it is! The Fair is held annually at the Extraco Events Center in Waco, TX, with over 238,000 in attendance in 2022.

Bulls & Buckles Pittsburg Rodeo | Pittsburg, TX | 10/8

Pittsburg Rodeo Association is a non-profit organization. It began in 1961 by local ranchers and community members. The annual rodeo is held on the last weekend of April. Other events, like a bull riding, are offered throughout the year.

Texas Rose Festival | Tyler, TX | 10/13 – 10/16

Since its beginning in 1933, the Texas Rose Festival has represented the spirit that brings Tyler together as a community. Rich in heritage and tradition, the Festival offers enchanting ceremonial events – the Queen’s Coronation, Ribbon Cutting and Rose Presentation, the Queen’s Tea, and the Rose Parade – all amidst a backdrop of brilliant roses as vibrant and colorful as the community they represent. We invite you to join us this year as the City of Roses celebrates its 89th Annual Texas Rose Festival.

Way Out West Country Fest | El Paso, TX | 10/15

El Paso’s Annual Country Music Festival will take place on Saturday, October 15th at Southwest University Park. The one-of-a-kind Honky-Tonk Fiesta includes live Country Music, a Chili Challenge, and the quest for the best Margarita Contest!

Now in its sixth year, Way Out West Fest has featured artists such as Cody Johnson, Midland, Jake Owen, Lee Brice, Clay Walker, Parmalee, Randall King, Brandy Clark, Frank Ray, The Powell Brothers, Brooke Eden, Travis Denning, The Wild Feathers, Madison Kozak, Desure, and Graycie York.

GO Rodeo Roundup | San Antonio, TX | 10/15

The event is one of the largest fundraisers of the year for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Scholarship Fund. Guests enjoy gourmet catering, a full assortment of beverages, live music, door prizes and silent & live auctions.

Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo | Bryan, TX | 10/15 – 10/23

The Brazos Valley Fair & Exposition, DBA Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, was organized for educational, scientific and charitable purposes to encourage, promote and maintain agricultural science, research, and educational functions. It is the general policy of the Fair & Rodeo that the excess of its revenue over expenses will be used for the furtherance of its exempt purpose, including the granting of scholarships and the funding of related capital additions and improvements.

The funds of the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo are used to provide scholarships to deserving youth in the Brazos Valley and throughout Texas and to meet the necessary expenses for its upkeep, operation and capital improvements of the Brazos County Expo, in furtherance of the exempt purpose of the organization.

San Antonio Cattle Baron’s Gala | San Antonio, TX | 10/22

Grab your hat, dust off your boots, and climb into your best western gear for the most enjoyable event this side of the Rio Grande! The 44th annual San Antonio Cattle Baron’s Gala promises to bring a toe-tapping, knee-slapping good time as you kick up your heels to give back to our community and the American Cancer Society.

Brand your calendars for October 22, 2022 for this cowboy chic affair featuring a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, and rip-roaring entertainment. The San Antonio Cattle Baron’s Gala promises to be an exciting opportunity for your organization to make a commitment to the health and well-being of our community. Your participation promotes and supports the American Cancer Society as it works to save lives by helping people stay well, get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back against cancer.

So, put on your blue jeans and your favorite boots and join us for an exciting evening of entertainment and enlightenment!

Texas Tech Rodeo | Lubbock, TX | 10/27 – 10/29

We were the 1st college rodeo to ever be broadcast on the Cowboy Channel and they will be back this year! All proceeds benefit the Texas Tech Rodeo team!

Texas Tech Rodeo includes 15 College teams in 10 rodeo events. Tickets are $25 and include the Texas Tech College Rodeo performance and the nightly concert. Rodeo begins at 6:30pm each night with gates at 5pm. The nightly concert will begin after the rodeo inside the Bus Barn. The concert time varies depending on the number of contestants and events for the day. Thursday Rodeo and Rodeo Revival is FREE! We have a clear bag policy. Once the concert begins you will not be allowed to leave and come back in. Kids 12 & under are free.

Cinch Roping Fiesta | San Angelo, TX | 10/27 – 10/30

The San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Association initiated the Roping Fiesta in 1954 as a way to help generate revenue for the association in the off season from the stock show and rodeo. The Roping Fiesta has always been at least a two day event, though the events featured have varied to include calf roping, team roping, steer wrestling, steer roping and double mugging.

State Fair of Louisiana | Shreveport, LA | 10/27 – 11/13

Welcome to the 116th edition of the State Fair of Louisiana! The State Fair dates are October 27 – November 13 (Closed on 10/31, 11/1 & 11/7). Please join us for the largest livestock show and carnival in the state. The State Fair of Louisiana is a not for profit organization run by a board of directors and staff.

Wichita Falls Cattle Barron’s Ball | Wichita Falls, TX | 10/29

Cattle Baron’s Ball is held every other year in Wichita Falls to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering | Fort Worth, TX | 10/28 – 10/30

31 years ago a group of us gathered in the conference room upstairs in the Cowtown Coliseum. We all felt that Fort Worth was the perfect location for a cowboy poetry gathering. Even though we had 11 inches of rain that first weekend, we’re still here after 30 years of celebration.

We put together a program that even today celebrates the men and women who make their living horseback working cattle providing beefsteak for the dinner tables of America. In 30 years we have continued to grow and serve as a platform to present competitions for our scholarship program awarded to young people which as of today, exceeds $1,000,000. The award is made to deserving young people who want to further their education.

Our Audience is from all over this great nation as well as other parts of the planet. The excitement of the ranch rodeo, the entertainment value of the cowboy music and poetry presentations, the sights, sounds, and smells of the chuckwagon camp, and the time spent dancing to western swing music make for a fun-filled family western weekend. Our sincere thanks to all of the folks who have supported us for 30 years.

Community Events for August 2022

Conveniently located off of Interstate 44, the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds and Event Center offers diverse facilities with ample parking capacity. Over 100,000 square feet of indoor space on our 76 acre complex enables us to handle any type of event. The facility is home to the Annual Ozark Empire Fair and over 100 other events year round.

Stockyards Championship Rodeo | Fort Worth, TX | 8/5 – 9/30

The world’s only year round rodeo every Friday and Saturday night at 7:30pm in the historic Fort Worth Cowtown Coliseum. The Stockyards Championship Rodeo maintains a strong commitment to visitors looking for an authentic Western Cowboy Experience. The show features bull riding, tie down roping, team roping, barrel racing, bronc riding and break away roping. Plus calf and mutton scrambles for the kids!

Missouri State Fair | Sedalia, MO | 8/11 – 8/21

From 1901 to today, the Missouri State Fair has been a barometer of the state’s economic health & a documentary of the history of Missouri agriculture. The Missouri State Fair plays an essential role in keeping agriculture one of Missouri’s top industries.

The Missouri State Fair promotes excellence in Missouri agriculture, cultivates & supports future leaders in agriculture, & provides opportunities for the agricultural community to deepen consumers’ understanding & appreciation of agriculture’s role in their daily lives & the economy of our state.

Midland County Fair & Rodeo | Midland, MI | 8/14 – 8/20

The Midland County Fair dates back to 1866 when the Fair was first held in the Methodist Church on Main Street. In 1867, the Fair was moved outdoors, across the river to a site located between Chippewa and Tittabawassee rivers…a location we now call the Tridge. These gatherings resulted in the formation of the first agricultural society of Midland County in February of 1877. The Fair relocated to 22 acres of land, now the location of Currie West today. In 1923, due to a lack of funds and a decreasing interest in the fair, the society disbanded. In the years to follow, the Future Farmers of America group and the 4-H program strived to return to a fair. The Midland County Agricultural and Horticultural Society was re-established in 1939. With much community support, the Fair moved to its current location in 1947.

Since that time the Fair has grown to be one of the most recognized and attended fairs in the State of Michigan, bringing hundreds of thousands of exhibitors and spectators together each year. In addition to the Fair, the Society offers a host of diversified events throughout the year ranging from festivals, camper and bike rallies, exhibits and special community events.

Wichita Falls PRCA Rodeo | Wichita Falls, TX | 8/19 – 8/20

The biggest event at the Kay Yeager Coliseum in the past few years has been the PRCA Rodeo. Over 400 of the best professional cowboys and cowgirls, including numerous PRCA National Finals Rodeo qualifiers and Champions compete in seven events. We provide all active duty military with free admission and will donate over $4,000 in scholarships to local FFA students through our calf scramble.

Our rodeo has been showcased on the national level in several ways. The PRCA has recognized us as one of the top 20 fastest growing rodeos in the entire country! Our Stock Contractor, Hi Lo Pro Rodeo is recognized by the PRCA as the fastest growing stock contractor in the United States, and is constantly in the winners showcase at the NFR. We’ve been nominated for best small indoor PRCA rodeo of the year in past seasons.

Eureka Pro Rodeo | Eureka, Kansas | 8/19 – 8/20

The Eureka Pro Rodeo is put on by the Greenwood County Rodeo Association. 2022 will mark the 11th year of the Eureka Pro Rodeo.

North Texas Fair & Rodeo | Denton, TX | 8/19 – 8/27

Gear Up, Friends! We’re talkin’ nine rip-roarin’ nights of hot country music, first-class rodeos, livestock shows, kid & fun zones, the latest fun attractions and more. See you at the North Texas Fair & Rodeo!

Commerce FFA Youth Rodeo | Commerce, TX | 8/19 – 8/20

The proceeds of this event will benefit the local chapter of the Commerce FFA.

Colorado State Fair | Pueblo, CO | 8/26 – 9/5

The Colorado State Fair began October 9, 1872. It was held by Southern Colorado Agricultural and Industrial Association, which received no cash assistance from the community or the State. The Colorado State Fair was incorporated on November 17, 1886. After becoming incorporated, the Fair purchased fifty acres of land located near Mineral Palace Park. The fair remained at Mineral Palace Park until 1890 when the board moved the site to 100-acres of land that was located west of Lake Minnequa.

Today the Colorado State Fair resides on 102 acres of land that contains paved streets and impressive landscaping. The fair has been host to countless celebrity concerts and used throughout the year for community events. Every year there are new activities and educational opportunities for Colorado citizens and visitors to enjoy. The fair has been a focal point for the Pueblo community and will hopefully continue to be one well into the future.

Springfield Cattle Barons Gala | Springfield, MO | 8/27

Since 2009, the Cattle Baron’s Ball of Southwest Missouri has raised over $5.7 million for the fight against cancer. Over 900 guests will be treated to various stations featuring Western themed foods prepared by the area’s top Chefs, complimentary adult beverages and soft drinks, and a variety of delicious desserts. The event’s program will honor those who have endured the cancer journey through the Stars of Hope luminary service.

Cavender’s Supports the Texas FFA Convention

Cavender’s is proud to support the Texas FFA Convention to empower the next generation of agriculturists. The Texas FFA and Cavender’s are both built upon the same underlying values: hard work, integrity, and passion. In the second paragraph of The FFA Creed, E.M. Tiffany writes, “For I know the joys and discomforts of agriculture life.”

Our mission at Cavender’s is to be a champion and advocate for the American worker. During both prosperity and drought, whether that be in farming, ranching, or anything in between, we want to support them.  We understand that agricultural work is one of passion, often being a thankless job.

Along with supporting the Texas FFA year-round as a Texas FFA Foundation Corporate Sponsor, we also have boots on the ground at their annual Texas FFA Convention.

2022 Texas FFA Convention

14,000 FFA members, family, and guests will convene this year in historic downtown Fort Worth to attend the 94^th Texas FFA State Convention July 11-15, 2022. Here, students are recognized for their accomplishment from throughout the year. They will receive scholarships and awards onstage amongst their peers. Students will also get to explore the three-day trade show, hear from impactful keynote speakers, and enjoy the annual kickoff concert.

On-Stage Recognition of Scholarships & Awards

A staple of the Texas FFA Convention is the opportunity for students to be recognized on-stage for their exceptional accomplishments throughout the year. These recognitions range from scholarships to winning state contests.

Scholarship Recognition

Every year, the Texas FFA Foundation presents around $2.3 million in scholarships for FFA members across the state. The scholarships are given to students who not only exhibit excellence in the classroom, but those who have also demonstrated their ability to serve others in their community through a mastery of leadership skills.

Cavender’s is proud to help further the success of these students by being a Texas FFA Foundation Corporate Sponsor. Scholarships for these students can range from $1,000 up to $20,000. Kallie Childers, former FFA member from Dalhart, says that her FFA scholarship from Cavender’s helped her take her next step in her college career. “The belief that Cavender’s had in my future made that much more confident to pursue my dreams of being a large animal veterinarian,” said Childers.

Award Recognition

Along with presentation of scholarships, FFA members are recognized for their proficiency awards. Proficiency awards are given to students who have excelled in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. There are a total of 51 proficiency disciplines. These range from Agricultural Communications to Wildlife Production and Management.

Cavender’s takes great pride in sponsoring three of these proficiencies: Diversified Livestock Production, Outdoor Recreation, and Veterinary Sciences. State Proficiency winners receive a plaque along with a $1,000 scholarship.

Exhibit Hall

Starting the second day of the convention, FFA members get a chance to check out the exhibit hall. A trade show filled with companies and organizations from across the country. This year, Cavender’s is partnering with Red Dirt Hat Co. at our booth to give you a unique shopping experience you won’t want to miss.

Contests

Texas FFA members have several opportunities to compete in events at the state level. These events include the Agriscience Fair, Public Speaking, Talent Show, and FFA Rodeo.

Agriscience Fair Contest

Students competing in the Agriscience Fair conduct research and present their scientific report to a panel of judges. Students have the ability to conduct research related to any of the following categories: animal systems, environmental services/natural resource systems, plant systems, social systems, and power, structural and technical systems.

Jake Bagby, state champion in 2016, 2017, and 2018 says that he found this contest invaluable to his professional career. “Competing in Agriscience Fair provided me with a valuable experience and new abilities that I have been able to carry with me into college and into a future career as well,” said Bagby.

Each Category is broken up into different divisions. These are based on the number of members competing, as well as the age of the members. Winners of each category in each division can win scholarships upwards of $1,000 dollars.

Public Speaking Contests

Qualification for public speaking events take place before state convention during the school year. Members have to advance past their district and area competitions. Speaking events are broken up into four categories: junior prepared, extemporaneous, soil stewardship, and senior prepared. Senior prepared is further broken down into six sub-categories: animal science, plant science, natural resources, ag business, ag policy, and ag tech/communications.

Talent Contest

The talent contest allows members to showcase their unique talent and skills in front of 15,000 of their fellow FFA members. Like public speaking, these FFA members have already competed at the district and area level, where they then advanced to state. Contestants in years past have done painting, stand-up comedy, and singing just to name a few. Many musicians, such as Cody Johnson, William Clark Green, and Koe Wetzel, have gotten their start on the stage at state convention.

Texas FFA Rodeo

The final competition is the Texas FFA rodeo. Similar to how high school rodeos are facilitated, athletes will have the ability to compete in breakaway, calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, goat tying, team roping, bareback and bull riding. These athletes will also walk away with a $1,000 scholarship for winning their division.

Texas FFA Convention Entertainment

The final part of convention that students look forward to each year is the kick-off concert and keynote speakers. For the Texas FFA Convention this year, country music star Mike Ryan will be performing.

For the first time, the Texas FFA is presenting two keynote speakers: Houston Kraft and Mike Rowe. Kraft is professional speaker, author, curriculum designer, and kindness advocate who speaks at schools, conferences, and events internationally. Mike Rowe made famous by his hit TV show “Dirty Jobs,” now runs his non-profit, mikeroweWORKS Foundation. Rowe’s foundation focuses on empowering students looking to go into skilled labor and career technical jobs.

Help Support the Texas FFA

Cavender’s is proud to empower the next generation of agriculturist through scholarships and proficiency awards. The skills that they learn in the FFA will translate into success in their future careers, leading to a brighter future for the world. If you’re interested in furthering the mission of the Texas FFA and empowering the next generation of agriculturists, find more information at https://mytexasffa.org/.

Koben Puckett PBR

Now in it’s eighth year, the Koben Puckett PBR returns to the Amarillo, Texas. Catch all of the bull riding action at the Amarillo National Center July 9, 2022 for this PBR Challenger Series event. The Challenger Series will run in conjunction with the PBR Team Series through November and conclude in Las Vegas at the Challenger Championship. The top 40 riders from the season will compete to win it all. Ticket sales from the Koben Puckett PBR support the Press On Foundation, a non-profit focusing on assisting individuals going through spinal cord injury recovery.

The event gets its namesake from former professional bull rider and Canyon, Texas native, Koben Puckett. Puckett was a rising star in the bull riding world with a bright future. Many saw Koben going all the way, that is until one ride stopped his dreams abruptly in its tracks.

Koben Puckett’s Rodeo Legacy 

Coming from a rodeo family background, Puckett was no stranger to the bright lights of an arena. His father was a former Turquoise Circuit Champion Bull Rider, and his mother a barrel racer. Puckett quickly found that rodeo came second nature to him. While competing in jr. rodeo, high school rodeo, amateur rodeo, also open events, and finding success at all levels. Even at the young age of 12, the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas were his end game. The 2007 season was when Puckett first scratched the surface of his potential. He won several thousand dollars. It would be in 2008 that Puckett would find his traction, winning his first pro rodeo in Huntsville, Ala. at the young age of 19. He would continue to win events across the country, scoring multiple 90-point rides along the way.

Unfortunately, this success would be short-lived. With the close of the season around the corner, Puckett headed to Mesquite, Texas. He hoped for another eight-second ride to end the season on a high note. Tragically, he was bucked off before the buzzer and came down on the back of his head. The 1,600-pound bull then preceded to step on Koben, ending his career within a matter of eight-seconds.

Koben Puckett’s Road to Recovery 

From the start, physical therapists told Puckett’s parents that he would need to face the reality of his situation. The initial fall from the bull had broken his neck, fracturing his C5-6 vertebrae. The impact from the bull stepping on him had also broken his lower ribs and back, puncturing his lungs. With the help of his family, Puckett spent nine months in California, followed by a six-month stint in Austin, Texas, in the pursuit of his recovery.

Puckett then found himself attempting procedures involving stem cells in Cyprus. The procedure was not yet legal in the United States. In Cyprus, they would take the liquid part of his bone marrow and adult stem cells and lay them in and around his injured vertebrae. Puckett made a significant stride in his recovery after this. He regained stamina and slight movement in his right arm. Unfortunately, funding for the stem cell procedure would be the next roadblock that he faced. Instead of letting this be the end of his road to recovery, he decided to host the first Koben Puckett Invitational.

Koben Puckett PBR Invitational

It had been eight years since Puckett had competed in the sport that shaped who he was. Eager to get back into the industry, he hosted his first bull riding event in 2014 in Amarillo, Texas. In 2015, only a year after the invitational’s conception, the PBR sanctioned the rodeo for the competition season. Although Puckett was excited and grateful to be back in the rodeo scene held much of his identity, it wasn’t his only reason for hosting the bull riding event. The funds from the rodeo allowed Puckett to overcome his fiscal roadblock and continue his stem cell procedures. Puckett was also able resume therapy in his home gym with the help of students from West Texas A&M pursuing a degree in physical therapy or occupational therapy.

The Koben Puckett PBR Invitational quickly outgrew its outdoor arena in 2018. It had to find an alternate venue to host the ever-growing rodeo. With the help of his sponsors, Puckett was able to relocate to the indoor Amarillo National Center, as well increasing the rider purse to $20,000. This size of purse qualified Puckett’s Invitational to be streamed on PBR RidePass on Pluto TV. Following the move, Puckett has not only seen the crowd size double, but the amount of money raised as well. Before the move in 2018, attendance hovered around 1,000 people, with money raised for spinal cord recovery efforts amounting to about $13,000. In 2021, Puckett recorded attendance exceeding 2,100, with funds raised reaching $30,000, all going towards the Press on Foundation.

The Press On Foundation 

The Press On Foundation is a non-profit organization that was originally created by Puckett’s mother to help raise funds for her son’s spinal cord recovery. Today, it has now grown into a non-profit that is dedicated to assisting and serving those affected by Spinal Cord Injury. Press On serves those going through recovery in several ways. They provide information and support for those just beginning their surgery. They also strive to help provide funding for those undergoing physical therapy. The biggest roadblock of those undergoing physical therapy for Spinal Cord Injury is the cost of treatment. They currently have 6 individuals, including Puckett, receiving scholarships that help fund their therapy.

Puckett’s Next Steps 

Puckett is still making strides, day by day, inch by inch, in his recovery. He has drastically improved the mobility of his right arm and core stability. His assisted standing exercise has seen immense growth. He has gone from only being able to stand for 10 minutes, to now being able to stand for upwards of 20 minutes or more. He is now able to send neurological signals to his glutes, hip flexors, and abdomen creating an active flexion. Although Puckett’s recovery has relied heavily on his determination and dedication to recovery, he credits much to his friends, family, and most importantly, his faith. He says he strives to serve as a steward of his Heavenly Father. He wants to help those going through the same battle that he is and assisting them in any way possible.

If you are interested in supporting Koben Puckett and others at the Press On Foundation with their Spinal Cord Injury recovery, make sure to find yourself in Amarillo, Texas, July 9^th at the Koben Puckett PBR Invitational at Amarillo National Center. You can also donate directly to the organization here.