The National Western Stock Show gives “city slickers” a chance to rub elbows with real ranchers, cowboys and rural lifestyle representatives. Once a year, they dust off their cowboy hats ...

Historians date the cowboy hat back to the late 19th century. It served to keep the sun off your face and neck, but sometimes it would be used as a water bucket so that a horse could drink out of it.

Deputies now have the option to wear cowboy hats while on duty. In Bedford County, law enforcement is tipping its hats to tradition, approachability, and a bit of fun.

This week, the sheriff’s office announced on social media deputies are allowed to wear cowboy hats during their shift — a tip of the hat to Western tradition.