Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Once again it's time for the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Houston, Texas. That means the streets are crowded with covered wagons, horses, and a multitude of trail riders all converging downtown to kick off the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This is a BIG event in Houston. The 2014 event runs from March 4th - March 23rd. That's 3 weeks of rodeo mania with trail riders, BBQ, chili cook-offs, auctions, carnival rides, rodeo events, and concerts.

The folks who put on the annual Houston rodeo event work tirelessly all year long to raise money for the scholarships that are handed out during the Livestock Show. Many people don't realize the rodeo is actually a charity that benefits Texas youth and has been doing this good work for over 78 years. More than 265 million dollars has been awarded.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a massive undertaking. The number of volunteers is close to 24,000. These people will be devoting their time, their money, their resources, and their talent. Because the rodeo should be experienced, I've pulled some videos of various events so you can get an idea of what all the fuss is about. Read, watch, and enjoy.ces, and their talent to make sure everyone who attends the event has a good time. Last year more than 2 million people attended the event.

• Image Credit: By Ed Schipul from Houston, TX, US. [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Extra fun for the family: Concerts, Carnivals and Petting Zoo

I remember taking my daughter to the rodeo to see Donny and Marie Osmond. She was so excited and even got to see his purple socks. That was long ago before the rodeo became the mega-event that it is today. But even then it was a big deal. Another fond memory is seeing Elton John perform. It was a great night with thousands of people in attendance.

While I enjoyed watching the performances on stage and the rodeo events, for me the best part was always when I wandered through the livestock show and ventured over to the petting zoo. I love the rodeo's petting zoo. You'll find the little piggies, the cows, the calves, the bunnies, but you'll also find the llamas, the alpacas, and the emus. The rodeo is a pure sensory experience. I love the smells, the sounds, and the feel of it.

The kids totally enjoy the carnival that is always going on outside. Ferris wheel, rides, penny arcade, everything that is carny is right there to enjoy. There is plenty for anyone and everyone to do and enjoy.

Rodeo Trail Cowboys and Cowgirls stopping at Taqueria Primavera for fresh Mexican Lunch!!!

Houston Texas Rodeo 2011 Trail Riders as seen on Clay Road on Thursday, February 25, 2011 at 10:00am.

2011 Fashions spiced with Roaring 20's flair were presented at the All That Rodeo Jazz fashion show hosted by the NASA, Clear Creek, Friendswood Go Texan Rodeo Committee. This 45th year of the fashion show was a huge hit with Lenny Matazuski at the helm. Choreographed to combine modern fashion trends with both the fun flair of rodeo and the roaring 20's really took some talent and Lenny did an awesome job.

The purpose of the NASA, Clear Creek/Friendswood Metro Go Texas Subcommittee is to promote the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo TM. The committee is responsible for increasing awareness of the Show through special Go Texan functions such as The Celebrity Celebration, Cowboys and Cowgirls Who Cook, The Fashion Show, the Trailride Dinner Dance and the Rodeo Bus Trip.

In 2010, ten exceptional high school seniors from Clear Creek ISD and Friendswood ISD High Schools were each awarded a $15,000 four year scholarship.

Rodeo Clown Bert Davis, The Coppertown Clown with Trick Rider Niki Cammaert performing at Rodeo Houston in 2006. This was the first time that three major specialty acts performed at the same time in the sport of Rodeo. This was the Tough Enough to Wear Pink performance at Rodeo Houston.

Professional cutting horse competition during the Houston Rodeo and world BBQ championships on February 25th, 2011 in Houston Texas. This rider scored a 220.5 on a three judge panel.

March 13th Barrel Racing. This participant did not win.

You get to see it in original form if you have the chance. Right now its in Houston at the rodeo> Later this year it will be in Tucson, Arizona and Del Mar, California.

Lynda's first but not last ride!

Order tickets from http://www.houstonrodeoonline.com/

• Clay Walker - March 1
• Trace Atkins- March 2
• Sugarland - March 3
• Janet Jackson - March 4
• Billy Currington - March 5
• Selena Gomez - March 6
• Tim McGraw - March 7
• Keith Urban - March 8
• Martina McBride - March 9
• Rascal Flats - March 10
• Lady Antebellum - March 11
• Gary Allan - March 12
• Tejano Day - March 13

  La Arrolladora Banda El Limon

  La Leyenda

• Kid Rock - March 14
• KISS - March 15
• Miranda Lambert - March 16
• Zac Brown Band - March 17
• Alan Jackson - March 18
• Brad Paisley - March 19
• Jason Aldean - March 20

Footage of the 2003 bar B Q cookoff at the Houston, TX Livestock show and Rodeo. Smells like heaven!

Recorded on April 7, 2010 using a Flip Video camcorder.