Special Days

Opening Day Activities:

Belt Buckle Giveaway:

• Distributed at the following 4 gate locations:
  • Bud Light
  • Carnival Arena
  • Metro Rail
  • McNee

Armed Forces Appreication Day Activities:

• American flags lining Kirby between Gate 9 and 10
• Several static displays with representatives from all branches located on NRG Parkway near the Kroger gate as well as between NRG Stadium and NRG Astrodome.
• JROTC presentation by Cullen and Sam Houston High Schools starting at 11 a.m. at the Junction Stag
• The Red, White and Blue Salute to the Military Ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. at the Junction Stage including the following:
  • National Anthem played by the “US Marine Corp Band”
  • A mass joint service swearing-in. Approximately 500 recruits will participate.
  • Five Ship Apache’s Flyover
• American flags at every seat in NRG Stadium
• National Anthem will be performed by SSG Erica Reid-Brown
• The U.S. Army Special Operations Command 7^th Special Forces Group located at Elgin Air Force Base in Florida will rappel inside the Stadium prior to the concert
• 2025 Honor Board

Black Heritage Day Activites:

• Ag education lunch and learn 9 a.m. -1 p.m. – The committee partners with PVAMU’s College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources and Extension Department and HISD’s Nutrition and Agriculture Department to expose middle school students to career paths in agriculture by participating in a nutrition and horticultural activity, talking to members of 4-H and college students about their experiences, aspirations and goals and taking a tour of AgVenture.
• Talent Showcase featuring elementary, middle and high school fine arts groups performing a Western themed show from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Junction Stage. We have almost 4,000 students participating this year.
• Black Heritage Committee Corral features the “History of the Black Cowboy Artifacts” as well as the committee’s history here at the Show located outside Hall B in NRG Center from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Black Heritage exhibitors which include non-profit groups that serve the African American community will have informational displays outside of Hall B in NRG Center from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The organizations participating are:
  • Bluebonnet Garden Club
  • National African American Quilt Guild
  • OTC Trailriders
  • Prairie View A&M University
  • Texas Southern University
  • Buffalo Soldiers Museum
  • Black Cowboy Museum
  • Prairie View Trailriders
  • Worthing High School
  • Healing with Serenity
  • African American Health Coalition
  • Charlie Marcol with the Cool Collective
• Step competition will be held on the Junction Stage from 2:30-4 p.m.
• National Anthem will be preformed by Sabrina Woodard
• The Hideout entertainer is J Paul and the Zydeco Nu Breeds.

First Responders Day Activities:

• The Junction Stage, presented by Woodside Energy:

• Several static displays on the grounds located by NRG Parkway including:
  • HPD: Training Helicopter
  • ATF: ATF Command Vehicle
  • HFD: Ladder truck with American Flag
  • Community VFD: High Water Rescue Vehicle
  • Waller FD: Vintage Fire Truck
  • Vintage HPD: 2 vintage police cars
  • Pearland FD: Vintage fire truck
  • DPS: Bearcat armored vehicle and hellcat
• First Responders Day ceremony honoring Line of Duty Deaths and First Responders of the Year at 4 p.m. at NRG Center in room 602 that will be emceed by Dana Tyson.
• The National Anthem in the Stadium will be performed by Patricia Williams with HCSO, Adriane Veals with DPS and K’Yuana Nelson with HPD.

Go Tejano Day Activities:

• Mariachi Invitational hosted Saturday night (March 14) at Arena Theater at 7 p.m.
• Mariachi Invitational Semi Finals in the Hideout starting at 11 a.m.
• Mariachis Invitational Finals will be held in the Stadium prior to the concert.
• Ballet Folklorico dancers will perform at the Main Arena in NRG Center at 2 p.m. Another group will take the stage at the Junction Stage at noon and both Miller Lite Ice House and Topo Chico Oasis at 2 p.m.
• Grito Competition – Miller Lite Ice House at 4 p.m.
• Junction Stage will have entertainment starting at 11 a.m.
  • DJ Valie G 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Folklorico Ballet – Noon
  • La Ezenzia Nortena – 1:30
  • Los Carnalitos Espinoza – 3 p.m.
  • Los Noppales – 4:30 p.m.
  • Grupo Arriero – 6 p.m.
• Hideout Entertainers will be:
  • DJ Rulow 7 p.m.
  • Reafinado 6 p.m.
  • Los Bohemios 7:15 p.m.
  • Grupo Rebeleon 8:30 p.m.
  • Grupo Zenzio (headliner) 10 p.m.
• National anthem will be performed by Jennifer “JENNY B” Bowen.