Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
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The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, also called Rodeo Houston, is the world's largest livestock exhibition as well as the world's largest rodeo event. In 2007, attendance reached more than 1.8 million keeping with an average of almost 2 million a year which requires the support of approximately 19,000 volunteers. Also, 2007 was deamed as the year of the volunteer.[1] The 20 day event is held at Reliant Park in Houston, Texas and features bull riding, livestock judging, concerts, a parade,a 5k walk & run, a carnival, trail rides, pig racing, barbecue and wine competitions, shopping, sales, and auctions. Traditional trail rides, which start in different areas of Texas and end in Houston, precede the Rodeo events.[2]. The City of Houston celebrates this event with Go Texan Days where residents are encouraged to dress in western wear for the duration.
The rodeo has drawn some of the world's biggest stars and music legends including Selena, Elvis Presley, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Beyoncé, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keys, and Maroon 5.
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[edit] Concert Performers
The wide variety of entertainment at The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has proven to be a popular feature of the event, as it caters to a multitude of tastes. Previous performers include Rock, Blues, Tejano, and country singers, stand-up comedians, and even actors.
[edit] 2008 Entertainment Lineup
| Date | Artist | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| Mar. 3 | Tim McGraw | 57,608 |
| Mar. 4 | Faith Hill | 53,923 |
| Mar. 5 | Kevin Fowler | 47,865 |
| Mar. 6 | Alan Jackson | 55,670 |
| Mar. 7 | John Legend | 53,766 |
| Mar. 8 | Martina McBride | 60,061 |
| Mar. 9 | Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus | 73,459 |
| Mar. 10 | Sugarland | 55,707 |
| Mar. 11 | Rascal Flatts | 72,051 |
| Mar. 12 | John Fogerty | 48,069 |
| Mar. 13 | Toby Keith | 59,413 |
| Mar. 14 | Clay Walker | 57,245 |
| Mar. 15 | Brad Paisley | 73,003 |
| Mar. 16 | Duelo and Los Horoscopos De Durango | 71,165 |
| Mar. 17 | Miranda Lambert | 48,566 |
| Mar. 18 | Big & Rich and Xtreme Bulls | 57,053 |
| Mar. 19 | Fergie | 72,777 |
| Mar. 20 | Dierks Bentley | 59,075 |
| Mar. 21 | Pat Green | 58,164 |
| Mar. 22 | Brooks & Dunn | 71,906 |
[edit] Go Texan Day
The Friday of the cookoff is also known as "Go Texan Day" where the entire population of Houston is encouraged to dress in the Western attire of jeans, cowboy boots, and cowboy hats. While the concept was discussed in 1938 by the General Manager of the Houston Chamber of Commerce, it wasn't until the 1950s that it finally was put into practice and in 1954 Archer Romero chaired the first Go Texan Committee and the encouraged what would later become a Houston Tradition during the rodeo.[6]
[edit] Rodeo Parade
In 1937, planning had begun for the first Rodeo Parade leading up to the 1938 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The first parade was headed by Mounted Police along with various dignitaries on the City, County, and State level who also rode horseback. In the parade there were two bands with a Drum and Bugle Corp.
In 1952 The Salt Grass Trail ride was the first trail ride that was formed by only a few men. The following year, the publicity from that ride attracted more people to join.
All of the Trail Riders converge on Memorial Park to camp out for the night before heading down Memorial Drive to where it Empties out onto Texas Ave to line up for the parade.
The parade has approximately 115 different groups joining in the festivities. There are 15 trail rides, 20 floats, 15 commercial wagons and stagecoaches, two or three huge balloons, and 10 to 15 university and high-school marching bands in addition to Show officials, other elected officials and dignitaries on horseback and in vehicles.[7][8]
[edit] Trail Rides
The Trail Rides are a long tradition with the rodeo and gather at The Memorial Park to camp for a rest and party before the big Annual Rodeo Parade through Downtown Houston.
- Salt Grass Trail Ride - 85-mile ride from Cat Spring, Texas was established in 1952
- Sam Houston Trail Ride - 66-mile ride from Montgomery, Texas was established in 1955
- Old Spanish Trail Ride - 216-mile ride from Logansport, Louisiana was established in 1956
- Prairie View Trail Ride - 102-mile ride from Sunnyside, Texas was established in 1957
- Valley Lodge Trail Ride - 72-mile ride from Brookshire, Texas was established in 1959
- The Spanish Trail Ride - 112-mile ride from Coldspring, Texas was established in 1961
- Texas Independence Trail Ride - 92-mile ride from Brazoria, Texas was established in 1961
- Los Vaqueros Rio Grande Trail Ride - 386-mile ride from Hidalgo, Texas was established in 1973
- Southwestern Trail Ride - 100-mile ride from Brazoria, Texas was established in 1974
- Northeastern Trail Ride - 108-mile ride from Beaumont, Texas was established in 1982
- Texas Cattlemen’s Trail Ride - 85-mile ride from Anderson, Texas was established in 1986
- The Mission Trail Ride - 210-mile ride from San Antonio, Texas was established in 1990
- Southwest Trail Ride - 120-mile ride from Rosenberg, Texas was established in 1993
[edit] World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest
Known as one of more popular events in Houston the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest is also simply known as "The Cookoff" . The Cookoff started in 1974 and has consistently drawn massive attendance numbers for the 3 day event drawing 190,913 visitors in 2007. It takes place on the southern parking lot of Reliant Stadium with over 250 teams participating every year and is generally considered a "Hot Ticket" to get into the variety of the tents as most are for members or invitation only. While the event is open to the general public, those that can get into the tents are generally allowed an unlimited amount of food and beverages. [9] [10] [11]
| BBQ Contest Attendance | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 25,459 | 25,627 | 15,946 | 29,570 | 21,113 | 28,415 | 30,421 | 33,568 |
| Friday | 56,459 | 61,564 | 39,532 | 60,580 | 61,735 | 50,929 | 66,850 | 70,121 |
| Saturday | 78,813 | 84,237 | 89,098 | 93,189 | 57,188 | 67,481 | 93,642 | 103,460 |
| Totals | 161,219 | 171,428 | 144,576 | 183,339 | 140,036 | 146,825 | 190,913 | 207,149 |
[edit] The Calf Scramble
Since the addition of the event in 1942, it has been one of the more popular events during the actual rodeo. The event features 14 calves and 28 students who must try to capture one of the calves, put a harness on it and bring it back into the "winners square" in order to claim the win. One of the rules is that as long as a contestant is actually in the act of holding the calf (i.e. Holding it by the tail) to get the harness on, no other participant may interfere unless the calf wriggles itself free. It's at this point where the calf is fair game once again. The event is held nightly between major events in the Reliant Stadium. Each of the students who catch a calf is awarded a $1,000 certificate to purchase a registered beef heifer. Raising and showing this heifer becomes a yearlong project as the scrambler sees to the grooming, feeding and care of the animal. The exhibitor returns to the Houston Livestock Show the following year for a special competition. Calf Scramble exhibitors also receive a $250 bonus when they return to compete with their heifer.[12]
[edit] Transportation
With a daily average attendance of the Rodeo of about 50,000 people [13], the city's transportation infrastructure is taxed as it must also compete with regular Houston Rush Hour on regular business days. There are a variety of ways into and out of the complex that include Park and Ride lots in certain parts of the city that are provided by the event as an express straight onto the property, Taxi, Self Parking, and METRORail.[14] The Coordinators of the event try to persuade attendees to use public transportation as the most convenient way to and from the Rodeo.
[edit] Attendance Records
| Rank | Year | Artist | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008 | Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus | 73,459 |
| 2 | 2007 | Hannah Montana and The Cheetah Girls | 73,291 |
| 3 | 2008 | Brad Paisley | 73,003 |
| 4 | 2006 | Brooks and Dunn | 72,867 |
| 5 | 2005 | Hilary Duff | 72,843 |
| Year | General Attendance | Rodeo Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 1,095,155 | 646,735 |
| 1983 | 1,095,730 | 597,783 |
| 1984 | 1,014,550 | 592,403 |
| 1985 | 1,070,276 | 537,802 |
| 1986 | 1,120,796 | 547,763 |
| 1987 | 1,107,822 | 564,911 |
| 1988 | 1,194,179 | 640,117 |
| 1989 | 1,242,288 | 717,541 |
| 1990 | 1,323,865 | 784,483 |
| 1991 | 1,366,598 | 827,037 |
| 1992 | 1,501,818 | 928,304 |
| 1993 | 1,568,266 | 973,318 |
| 1994 | 1,616,113 | 985,871 |
| 1995 | 1,810,007 | 1,068,447 |
| 1996 | 1,830,265 | 1,061,344 |
| 1997 | 1,788,437 | 1,013,100 |
| 1998 | 1,769,359 | 923,313 |
| 1999 | 1,853,650 | #1,101,507 |
| 2000 | 1,889,861 | #1,101,478 |
| 2001 | 1,382,183 | #1,031,570 |
| 2002 | 1,563,662 | #1,091,955 |
| 2003 | 1,745,351 | *#1,215,913 |
| 2004 | *1,890,174 | #1,126,092 |
| 2005 | 1,740,095 | 1,127,239 |
| 2006 | 1,688,103 | 1,115,558 |
| 2007 | 1,806,129 | 1,176,436 |
| 2008 | 1,802,158 | 1,206,551 |
(*) denotes all-time attendance record (#) denotes paid attendance figures beginning in 1999 (actual turnstile figures were reported through 1998).
[edit] Milestones
- 1931 : First established as The Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition.
- 1932 : First Show is held at the Democratic Convention Hall.
- 1938 : Moved to new location: Sam Houston Coliseum.
- 1942 : First star entertainer: Gene Autry, "the Singing Cowboy"; calf scramble event added to the Show's rodeo.
- 1952 : First trail ride (Salt Grass Trail Ride) commences from Brenham, Texas.
- 1957 : First major educational scholarship ($2,000) awarded to Ben Dickerson.
- 1961 : Name changes to Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
- 1966 : New location: Astrodome complex; Astrohall built for Livestock Exposition.
- 1970 : Research program launched committing $100,000 annually in support of research studies at various universities and colleges in Texas
- 1974 : The first World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. Elvis Presley sets attendance record of 43,944. On his second show, on the same day, he breaks his own record drawing 44,175, for a one-day record 88,119
- 1975 : The Astroarena is completed.
- 1977 : Four-year scholarships increased from $4,000 to $6,000.
- 1983 : Four-year scholarships increased from $6,000 to $8,000.
- 1989 : Scholarship program expands to Houston metropolitan area.
- 1992 : Four-year scholarships upgraded from $8,000 to $10,000 retroactive to all students currently on scholarship.
- 1993 : Latin superstar Selena breaks attendance record at the Astrodome by drawing a crowd of over 67,000 fans. Held record for nine consecutive years.
- 1994 : Latin superstar Selena sets another attendance record at the Astrodome by drawing another crowd of over 67,000 fans.
- 1995 : Latin superstar Selena holds famed Astrodome concert with over 65,000 fans.
- 1997 : Rodeo Institute for Teacher Excellence is created as a 3-year pilot program with $4.6 million in funding; websites www.hlsr.com and www.rodeohouston.com introduced.
- 1998 : Number of 4-H and FFA scholarships increased to 60 per program, totaling 120 four-year $10,000 awards.
- 1999 : Number of 4-H and FFA scholarships increased to 70 per program, totaling 140 four-year $10,000 awards; Opportunity Scholarships awarded based on financial need and academic excellence.
- 2000 : Rodeo Institute for Teacher Excellence extended another 3 years with another $4.6 million; Reliant Energy acquires naming rights for the Astrodomain; renamed Reliant Park includes the Reliant Astrodome, Reliant Arena, Reliant Hall, Reliant Center and Reliant Stadium.
- 2001 : Largest presentation of scholarships to date, with 300 four-year $10,000 awards through the Metropolitan, Opportunity and School Art scholarship programs, totaling $3 million.
- 2002 : George Strait sets paid attendance record for any Rodeo event in the Reliant Astrodome with 68,266; Reliant Hall is demolished.
- 2003 : New location: Reliant Stadium and Reliant Center; Carruth Plaza, a Western sculpture garden named in honor of past president and chairman, Allen H. "Buddy" Carruth, completed at Reliant Park.
- 2006 : Brooks & Dunn break rodeo attendance record set by Hilary Duff in 2005 with 72,867 in attendance.
- 2007 : Hannah Montana and The Cheetah Girls sell out in just three minutes and set a new rodeo attendance record of 73,291.
- 2008 : Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus set another attendance record of 73,459
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo - History
- ^ "The Salt Grass Trail Ride". texasbob.com January 01, 2007. Last accessed January 11, 2007.
- ^ RodeoHouston 2008: John Fogerty, Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Fergie
- ^ 2008 RODEOHOUSTON ENTERTAINERS
- ^ 2008 RodeoHouston website: Show Attendance History
- ^ HLSR's History Page
- ^ Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo - "Bowlegged H" Magazine Archive - Committee Spotlights
- ^ Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo - Downtown Rodeo Parade and Route
- ^ World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. Houston Lifestock Show and Rodeo. HSLR. Retrieved on 2007-06-16.
- ^ BBQ Teams. Houston Lifestock Show and Rodeo. HSLR. Retrieved on 2007-06-16.
- ^ World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest Attendance Figures. Houston Lifestock Show and Rodeo. HSLR. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ Rodeo Houston Website
- ^ "HLSR Attandance Figures". Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
- ^ "HLSR Transportaion Options". Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
