SPECIAL EVENTS

The ever-growing Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has changed the face of Houston for over 75 years.

Since 2002, RodeoHouston has been a co-tenant in the 1.9 millionsquare-foot Reliant Stadium — the largest and most expensive rodeo and football facility ever built.

2009 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo:

Feb. 26 – Feb. 28
World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest

Feb. 28
ConocoPhilips Rodeo Run and
Downtown Rodeo Parade

Mar. 3 - 22
Livestock Show, Horse Show, Rodeo,
Concerts, Carnival, Shopping, Food,
Educational Exhibits and more.

In 1931, seven men met to discuss the improvement and development of the cattle industry along the Gulf Coast area of Texas. That initial meeting was the beginning of the story of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

In over 75 years, more than 1 million entries have been shown in junior, youth, and open livestock and horse shows.

Texas 4-H and FFA members from 252 of 254 Texas counties, along with entries from across the United States and other countries, travel to Houston to compete for the prestigious title of Houston champion.

The Houston Livestock Show holds the record price for all junior market animals at auction. This money helps the exhibitor, as well as students from across Texas , continue their educational dreams.

Since 1942, $9,304,500.00 has been awarded in certificates and bonuses to 17,876 young Texans.

Promoting the Texas wine industry, the 5th Annual International Wine Competition featured 1,969 wines from 606 wineries and 16 countries, all vying for the prestigious title of Grand Champion Best of Show.

More than 1,500 international guests from 50 countries attend the Show to do business with U.S. vendors.

Special tours for schools have allowed 23,000 students to have access to an agricultural learning environment while at the Show.

RodeoHouston™ hosts the world’s top cowboys and cowgirls competing in the toughest and oldest-known sport. There is fun for the whole family at the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo.

RodeoHouston is the world’s largest rodeo (measured by attendance).

More than 320 entertainers have appeared on the RodeoHouston stage since 1942.

Rodeo paid attendance has topped 1 million for 12 consecutive years.

The average RodeoHouston ticket price is $20 lower than the national concert ticket average.

RodeoHouston includes seven events; bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer-wrestling, team roping and tie-down roping.

At the 2007 Show, champion cowboys and cowgirls competed for a total rodeo purse of $1.275 million. In 2008, contestants will be riding and roping for a total purse of more than $1.3 million.

Visitors have 350 shopping, food and educational exhibits to enjoy.

Children’s activities include pony rides, petting zoos, pig races, hatching chicks, a livestock birthing center, riding demonstrations, a mechanical bull and more.