By Mary Beth Mosley
Magazine Committee Volunteer
In the nine decades since the first Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition was held in 1932, so much has changed — both for the world and for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Barring some major medical miracles, not all the 2.4 million people who attended this year’s events will be around to celebrate the Rodeo’s 180th anniversary. However, this year’s younger guests might still be able to witness the changes that will come to the Rodeo 90 years from now.
We asked some of them what they think the 2112 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will have to offer, from the entertainment to the events and exhibits. Most of the young prognosticators were positive, like Ronald Brown, 13, who said, “It’s going to be 10 times better.”
Torrin Payne, 9, from Houston, imagined that agriculture was in for a major change. “Instead of wheels on the tractors, the tractors are going to have levitation devices. I’m not even sure if people are going to use tractors!” he said.
The carnival was a favorite source of inspiration. Brooklyn Vulgamore, 7, is ready for it to blast off. “I think it will be different. I think there are going to be a lot more rides and games. I think lots of things will be spacey — they’ll kind of go up in the sky,” she said. That idea was shared by C.J. Davis, 7, who was enjoying the exhibits in AGVENTURE, presented by Oxy, with Madelynn Davis and Kaydin Howard. “The rides will be like taking a spaceship. In the future they will have more fun,” C.J. said.
As she looked ahead to 2112, first-time attendee, Lila Vela, 10, worried that the rides would be scarier and said, “I’ll still need my older sisters to go with me.”
Food and fashion were on the minds of friends Kenyatta Sterling, 14, and Laresa Allison, 15. Kenyatta’s thoughts of the future were about the flavors. “The food will be different. There will be more different types of food, from all different cultures,” she said. Laresa was more interested in the looks she would see in 2112. “New trends, new outfits, everyone’s style will change,” Laresa said. “Although some of the old styles may be back again.”
Ryan Pfluger, 6, has a perfect night planned when the Rodeo celebrates the next 90 years. He said, “If I were 96, I would drive a van to the Rodeo. Maybe come see Cody Johnson.” (By the way, Cody Johnson would be 124 for that RODEOHOUSTON® performance.)
Jace Vernon, from Waller, Texas, worried that future competitors might be at a disadvantage. “My favorite event is bull riding,” Jace said. “Hopefully for the cowboys in the future, the bulls won’t be faster.” Even the fact that he would be 101 wouldn’t keep him away.
“I might be here in a wheelchair, but I’ll still be coming,” he said.
