Rodeo Roundup Held in Nation’s Fourth-Largest City Begins Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Festivities The celebration leading up to opening day of the 2019 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo begins today, Tuesday, Feb. 19, with Rodeo Roundup.
Rodeo Roundup & Go Texan Day
All are invited to attend this free event in Downtown Houston, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, at Houston City Hall in Hermann Square. Judge Lina Hidalgo and Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Go Texan Day proclamations will kick off the event, followed by free lunch. Enjoy live music, take your photo atop a Texas Longhorn steer and visit with hundreds of Rodeo volunteers to learn more about the Houston tradition since 1932. Learn more about Rodeo Roundup here. Go Texan Day, the city-wide celebration of Western heritage, is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 22. Learn more about Go Texan Day at here.
World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest
This week, more than 250 barbecue teams will begin to arrive at NRG Park to compete in the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, Feb. 21 – 23. Over the course of three days, teams from across the state of Texas and the world will compete for champion titles in the following categories: Brisket, Ribs, Chicken, Go Texan and Dutch Oven Dessert. Most Bar-B-Que Contest team tents are invitation-only, but visitors are welcome to enjoy a sliced brisket plate with chips and beans from the Chuck Wagon, included in the cost of admission. Enjoy live music daily at The Garden Stage, sponsored by Miller Lite, and the Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon. Click here to purchase Bar-B-Que Contest tickets. View the entertainment schedule here.
Rodeo Run, presented by ConocoPhillips
Get a running start to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and participate in Rodeo Run, presented by ConocoPhillips, Saturday, Feb. 23. The run will precede the Downtown Rodeo Parade and will kick off at 9:10 a.m. with the wheelchair race, followed by the 10K Timed, 5K Timed and Untimed 5K events. If you can’t make the event, check out the Sleep-In option. Sign up today rodeohouston.com/Visit-the-Show/Pre-Show-Events/Rodeo-Run.
Trail Rides
On Friday, Feb. 22, horses and wagons from 12 trail rides will make their way through the city streets to merge and camp one final night at Memorial Park before participating in the Downtown Rodeo Parade, Saturday, Feb. 23. This continues a more-than-65-year-old tradition that keeps Western heritage alive in the nation’s fourth largest city.
Downtown Rodeo Parade
Leading the parade this year as Grand Marshal is Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. The best places to view the parade are on Louisiana, from Bell to Lamar, and from Louisiana to Smith. Arrive early to secure a viewing spot along the route, which begins at Bagby and Walker streets, travels from Travis to Bell Street, and from Bell Street to Louisiana Street, before turning on Lamar Street, and ends at Lamar and Bagby. For more information about the Downtown Rodeo Parade, visit rodeohouston.com/Visit-the-Rodeo/Pre-Rodeo-Events/Parade.
There are still great tickets available for the 2019 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. View the concert lineup and ticket availability here: rodeohouston.com/Buy-Tickets/Rodeo-Concert-Tickets.