If you live in Houston, you know exactly what Rodeo Houston means to the city. Cowboy hats and boots, live music, carnival rides and the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo. Known as the best tradition in Texas, Rodeo Houston is much more than just entertainment. It’s a celebration of Texas culture that aims to educate and raise money for various charities around the state.
Go Texan Day kicks things off. The day celebrates the unofficial kickoff of the 20-day Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Houston residents dress up in their Texas best, sporting jeans, cowboy hats and boots to school or work, showing off their western pride for tradition. You’ll see #GoTexanDay everywhere on local social media, from Houston news stations displaying their Rodeo style to elementary school classrooms full of tiny Texas boots. Go Texan Day is a day for everyone of all ages to come together to celebrate Texas’ Western heritage and raise awareness for rodeo season.
The Rodeo takes place at NRG Park in Harris County and takes over NRG Stadium, NRG Arena and NRG Center. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was first established in 1932 as the Houston Fat Stock Show and has now grown to more than 30,000 entries. The show is organized by three categories of competitions known as the Junior Show, Open Show and Youth Show. The show sets world records in the junior market auctions, raising more than $12 million in 2016. Submissions for the junior auctions include school art as well as different types of livestock and wool entries.
The official sport of Texas is rodeo and at Rodeo Houston, you’ll understand why. Events include tie-down roping, bareback riding, team roping and more happen throughout the event. The bull riding competition tests the cowboy’s physical strength as he faces off with a bull weighing up to 2,000 pounds whose single thought is removing the rider off its back. Participants in these events come from across the nation in hopes of taking home one or more of the Rodeo’s coveted grand prizes, totaling a $2.17 million payout.
Every night after the rodeo dust settles, a superstar will steal the show. With this year’s performances from pop star Camila Cabello and EDM entertainer Zedd, the music is larger than life, true to Texas tradition. Not to mention the performances from some of country music’s finest including Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Chris Stapleton, Zac Brown Brand and much more.
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