This ain't my first rodeo!🤠

Entering the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The 4 Houston girls are on spring break this  week.  Monday the whole family went to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. What a fun, but long and tiring day! I equate the event to the Iowa State Fair, only it lasts longer. And, yes, this was my first rodeo!

The event lasts 20 days and is the largest event of its kind in the world. It includes rodeo and livestock competitions, a carnival, concerts, lots of food, and more. We arrived around 10 and got home around 10:00. 

We saw lots of animals, vendors, rode rides, played games and ate. Pat and I shared a huge pecan sticky bun, enjoyed an Asian dinner and then the rodeo, followed by the concert. 

The rodeo itself began at 6:45 with a parade around the arena with horses, buggies, carriages, and firetrucks carrying many dignitaries. Lots of competion followed including bull riding, barrel racing, bareback riding, mutton busting, a calf scramble, and more. A variety of concerts are offered over the 20 day event beginning around 9 p.m. Cody Jinks, a country and western performer, was the entertainment Monday night. 

 I came away with a "prime rib" and a "banana creme pie" dip.

The group with the rodeo mascot, Howdy.

Alexa and Clara

Ready to ride the Titan. See the movie below.

The Houston Astrodome was opened in 1965 as the world's first multipurpose domed sports stadium and, failing fire code requirements, it became obsolete in 2008 and still sits vacant today on the rodeo grounds.  In 1970 I went there with my family to see an Astro's game and also to the adjoining Astroworld amusement park which closed in 2005. We went on a tour of the stadium and saw them filming the movie Brewster McCloud. Maybe I should watch it?

They all played...

... and Clara was the winner

Lilah

A long day!

Waiting to get into the arena along with 61,204 others!

She posed for me.

Parade starting the rodeo. 

Setting up the rotating stage before they move it in. 

calf scramble

Cody Jinks

Farewell!

Where are the Piepers now? San Antonio, TX