This ain't our first rodeo.

The National Western Stock Show & Rodeo begins its 107th run on Saturday, bringing with it two weeks of Western wildness to the big city.

Livestock shows and judging are the big event's bread and butter, with events going on daily for all kinds of beasts — cattle, hogs, sheep, alpacas, poultry and more.

It's the special events, though, that really draw the crowds.

Some of this year's highlights include the "Colorado vs. The World" rodeo on Saturday; The Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza on Sunday; The Wild West Show (Jan. 19-20); The Martin Luther King, Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo (Jan. 21); The "Super Dogs"

One of the many special events to see at the National Western Stock Show, Saturday-Jan. 27. (Provided by National Western Stock Show)
agility show (Jan. 21-22); and "An Evening of Dancing Horses" (Jan. 23).

There's also professional bull riding, horse jumping and a thunderous draft-horse show. New this year: Parking is free with purchase of a special-event ticket.

The Stock Show will take over the National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., from Saturday-Jan. 27. Prices for grounds admission are date-specific, ranging from $2-$3 for kids ages 3-11 and $8-$19 for adults. Special-event tickets are sold separately and include grounds admission; prices range from $9-$100. Advance tickets are available at King Soopers locations, Coors Field and Rockies Dugout stores, via 888-551-5004 or nationalwestern.com.

Kathleen St. John



Father and son team, Jerry Diaz and Nicolas perform at the 2012 Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza. (Manuel Martinez/Viva Colorado)