Designated the “Super Bowl of Rodeos,” the 66th annual National Finals Rodeo (NFR) crowns the world’s best cowboys and cowgirls of this horsemanship sport. With a total payout of more than $16 million in 2024, it’s deemed the world’s richest and most esteemed cowhand exhibition. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) hosts and Wrangler title sponsors the season-ending rodeo, which takes place Dec. 5 through Dec. 14, at Las Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Center. The top 15 contestants in each event – team roping, bareback riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, and bull riding – contend for a PRCA gold buckle while splitting the millions-of-dollars purse. As a former Wrangler content creator and lifelong NFR spectator, it was only customary to celebrate the arena action. For decades, my farm family of centennial homestead Edward Hill Farm has cheered for rodeo competitors as a traditional holiday pastime.

Cowgirl Candace wanted to spice up the situation with a rooftop reunion in 2024. Southern style, of course. Inviting a few of my dearest peaches and agricultural artists to celebrate the occasion. Our chosen city to Deep South party: Macon, Georgia. Known as “The Heart of Georgia,” this rural town is where music legends like the late James Brown, Little Richard, Ray Charles, and Otis Redding (also a cattle farmer who lived near our farmland) threw soulful shindigs by way of the famous Chitlin’ Circuit. Each of the following rodeo family and rural friends put soul into their agricultural lifestyles and careers – just as NFR competitors do while demonstrating rodeo showmanship. This entire year my agrarian gal pals and I have collaborated to capture national rodeo narratives, expand our Southeast Region culinary palettes at local festivals, and thoughtfully grow our agribusinesses into new digital markets. As a team. Sisterhood. These cowgirls, farmers, creatives, educators, chefs, and travelers brought nothing less than brilliance to our Vegas version of NFR fun:

TANYA BAILEY, 39

CHRISTINA JENKINS, 40

LENISE LEKNES, 35

KANEISHA MILLER, 34

KELLI WARD, 32

HEATHER WILSON, 41