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American Royal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri is a livestock show, horse show and rodeo held each year in October and November at the Kemper Arena complex. The Future Farmers of America was founded during the Royal and Kansas City's professional baseball team the Kansas City Royals derive their name from the Royal.
The American Royal began in a tent in 1899 in the Kansas City Stockyards as a national Hereford (cattle) Show.
The name "American Royal" was inspired by a 1901 editorial in beef industry publication The Drovers Telegram entitled "Call It The American Royal." The editorial noted the Royal Agricultural Society in England has a similar event called the Royal Show.
The first American Royal horse show was added in 1907, and has grown to include six shows (Quarter Horse, Hunter-Jumper Horse, Arabian Horses, American Saddlebred and a Cutting Horse, Youth Show).
In 1926 the American Royal invited vocational agriculture students to judge livestock. During the 1928 American Royal 33 of the students meeting at the Baltimore Hotel in downtown Kansas City formed the Future Farmers of America. The group was to hold its convention every year during the Royal in Kansas City until 1998.
The original home of the American Royal was destroyed in a Valentines Day fire in 1925. It was rebuilt in time for the event that year and served as the center for events until the American Royal complex was built across from Kemper Arena in 1992. During World War II the Royal complex was converted into a glider factory.
When the Sprint Center is completed in late 2006, the American Royal will gain exclusive use of Kemper Arena.
The American Royal is an annual eight-week season of barbecue competition, rodeos, livestock shows, equestrian events and agricultural activities benefiting youth and education.
In 2006, 500 barbecue teams will be vying for more than $110,000 in prize money. The contest is divided into several categories --- brisket, pork ribs, pork shoulder, chicken, sausage, side dishes and dessert. The American Royal is a not-for-profit, community volunteer-based service organization which raises funds to fulfill its vision & mission through endowments contributions, sponsorships and event revenues.
The American Royal, a not-for-profit 501c3 organization that benefits youth and education, is now in its 107th year and celebrates our region’s rich agricultural heritage through competition, education and entertainment. In 2005, the organization contributed more than $1.3 million in financial support in the form of scholarships, educational awards, educational programs, community donations, competitive awards and prize monies and premiums. The American Royal, one of Kansas City’s premier fall events with annual economic impact of more than $62 million, hosts the world’s largest barbecue contest, one of the Midwest’s largest livestock exhibitions, one of the top five ranked rodeos in the nation and is home of the national championship horse competition.