SAN ANGELO, Texas — Within earshot of wailing steers being moved into the Housley Communications Cattle Barn at the San Angelo Stock Show, Palmer Feed & Supply's tent is set up at the front of the vendor area.
The business has been open since 1943, and is a staple at each year's local stock show. Palmer manager Jessie Cathey finds herself significantly busy during the event. She splits time between Palmer Feed's main store, its tent and its two milling locations.
Cathey has worked for Palmer Feed for roughly a decade. The stock show crowd, she said, is filled with familiar faces.
"We have people from all over that come here that we see every year in this tent," Cathey said. "It's just great. You only get to see those faces once a year, so getting to see them again is pretty awesome."
She said Palmer sells a lot more show supplies during the event, such as waterless shampoos, conditioners and electrolytes. As a consistent vendor, she frequently eats on site as well.
Her go-to food destination at the stock show is Bada Bing Wood Fired Pizza. This is the stand's 13th year at the event. It does not have a storefront in San Angelo, but its owners also look forward to welcoming regulars each year.
"We've seen (people) from first-grade through their senior years," owner Debra Phillips said. "(It's) a lot of fun to see the kids."
Phillips said she and her husband prepare accordingly to make sure the stand does not run out of ingredients for its pizzas.
San Angelo's Chamber of Commerce estimates the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo would bring a combined $80 million to the city. The Chamber did not release an estimate limited to the stock show.