Howdy! Yeehaw! Ride ’em, cowboys! 

While the vernacular isn’t found only during rodeo season in Texas, it is certainly more prevalent. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one of Houston’s biggest and best events all year. Cowboys and cowgirls come from near and far to show what their made of in a large dirt arena known as Reliant. And while many people disagree with how the animals are seemingly “treated”, those same people cannot deny the good that rodeo organizations bring to the area.

Every year from late February through March, The HLSR brings in millions of dollars and gives it back to students, teachers and the surrounding communities. In 2011 along, over $9 million dollars was award to Texas students in the form of college scholarships.

The HLSR is an incredible resource for our state tourism and it’s also a heck of a lot of fun. Over 20 well-known musicians sing their hearts out to thousands of spectators,

hundreds of food vendors cook-up some of the best food in the state and an ever-changing carnival lights up the night sky daily.

But what I love most about the Houston Rodeo is the feeling. It takes over 26,000 volunteers on 100 different committees to make the rodeo happen. That’s millions of hours, volunteered every year, just to make the show happen.

Everything from the carnival, to the Wine Garden to the Park ‘n Ride buses are well organized, highly effective and overall, well staffed. It makes me proud to be a Houstonian and more importantly, a Texan.

So if you haven’t made it out to the show yet, get out there. Tickets start at just $5 which grant you access to livestock, artwork, events and hundreds of other activities day and night. 

Most importantly, do NOT forget the deep fried Oreo’s. They’re incredible.