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#photography, addiction, cowboy, cowboys, economic impact, fine art photography, Florida, gambling, las vegas, lincoln rogers, national Finals Rodeo, NFR, Oklahoma City, organized crime, osceola, prostitution, revenue, rodeo, rodeo photography, sport, Vegas, west, western, WNFR, Wrangler, wrangler national finals rodeo
And they call the thing rodeo…
http://lincoln-rogers.artistwebsites.com/featured/the-usual-suspects-lincoln-rogers.html
It appears the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR or NFR) may be leaving Las Vegas after 30 years and head to Osceola, FL. Multiple news reports discuss the possibility:
http://twistedrodeo.com/2013/12/16/las-vegas-could-lose-a-great-thing/
http://m.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada-and-west/national-finals-rodeo-leave-las-vegas
The NFR moved from Oklahoma City nearly 30 years ago to Las Vegas and many people thought it would never work. Now it might move to Florida and, again, many people think it won’t work. Florida is offering four million dollars more than the current Vegas contract. That extra four million means more money for the contestants, which is where it should go. It is estimated Vegas reaps about ninety million dollars over the ten-day event that draws between 150,000-200,000 people to the city. It’s no wonder Florida is making a serious run to be the future host.
Personally, I’ve never attended the NFR in Vegas because I’m leery of the underbelly of Vegas – organized crime, prostitution, gambling addiction, etc. I once turned down a good job offer because it would have required me to be in Vegas for a couple of weeks every year. Vegas can try all it wants to paint itself as “family friendly,” but even its motto and commercials of “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” contradicts that effort. It’s just a personal thing to not want to be there. I understand plenty of people enjoy Vegas and don’t see a downside to the city.
The thing is, I write for several magazines that would love to have stories and photos from the NFR, but I could never bring myself to go. If it does move out of Vegas, there’s a good chance I’ll finally attend and get those stories and photos their way!
Have a great day and don’t let your horse come home without ya!
Lincoln
Check out Lincoln’s online gallery of Fine Art Photography here
Lincoln's Thinkin's 
Big rodeo has fans everywhere and they’ll travel just as quickly to Florida as to Vegas I’m sure. My only experience of Vegas was a 2 hour stopover at the airport during which the smoke and the noise of the slot machines even there about drove me nuts (and I was still a smoker then!). So it’s never had any appeal for me either. I’m sure you’d enjoy the event if you could get to see it and I’d love to read what you write about it. And see the pictures you’d get…they’d be fabulous!!
You are right, Lianne. Rodeo fans will travel to wherever it is held. I think the PRCA understands there are plenty of people out there who haven’t attended because they don’t particularly care for Vegas. Besides, Florida in December sounds kind of nice! And thank you for the kind words regarding my photography! 🙂
Great image Lincoln!….Love the high contrast…very effective!
Thanks, Sharon! Hope you are doing great.
Just love your writing and rambling! Or is that wrangling?! Going to enjoy following you!
Thanks Lee!!!!