rodeo |

Rodeo Houston Family Fun

March 29, 2017 By Callie Leave a Comment

Houston,TX

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Rodeo Houston-I received tickets to the Rodeo show in excahnge for my honest and root tooting opinion.

It’s that time of year…you know when you’re driving down the road and traffic’s just a going slow because there’s a Chuck Wagon full of actual chuck wagons being pulled by horses, led by Cowfolk, and the bluebonnets pop up and the boots come out. It’s a Texas tradition time and Rodeo Houston is just that! We literally go to Rodeo every year-yes Houston has that world famous, most amazing rodeo and it’s not just for those late concert going people who two step. It’s for the littles too.

Houston Rodeo has a livestock show as well-what’s that you ask? It’s where all our local FFA students who have advanced come and show their livestock and sell them to community members who usually donate the animals back to the students along with some money for college. It where folks from all over can come and learn about livestock and the different types of animals raised in Texas.

Houston Livestock show and rodeo is the place to come dressed in your best cowgirl wear and support local vendors by buying your little an authentic but has to be pink cowgirl hat.

It’s where you get to see real live Longhorns up close and in a most friendly kind of way.

It’s where you get to collect cards with animals on them-every child’s dream!

It’s where you can walk around and find an amazing carnival full of fun filled rides-except it was mighty windy that day and our cowgirl hat blew off and our littlest Texan wasn’t having any of that.

It’s where you can try your luck at fun carnival games and win not one but four new stuffed animals just by fishing without bait.

It’s where you can eat cookie dough, and cotton candy and sausage and BBQ all in one place.

You can literally spend a while day at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo-playing games, learning new things, planting, petting animals, seeing local high school art exhibits. If you get tired of the exhibit hall you can head outside where there’s a full fledged carnival with games, rides and food all in the shadow of our beloved Astrodome.

Houston is an amazing cultural city and the Houston Livestock show and Rodeo is a Texas tradition for young and old. Yeehaw. Add this one to your bucket list!

It’s Rodeo Time

March 7, 2017 By Callie Leave a Comment

It’s that time again Houston! One of the most fun times to live in this great city! We are gearing up to join in the fun. There’s so much for families to do like….

Family Fun and Value at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Navigate the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Arrive early to make the most of your day at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo! Family-friendly carnival rides, exhibits, attractions and tasty treats are available throughout the NRG Park grounds, starting at 9 a.m. daily during the Show.

Download the RODEOHOUSTON mobile app available for iPhone and Android to ensure your family outing to the Show goes off without a hitch! Jam-packed with an interactive scheduling tool, and parking and map information, the mobile app is a must for busy parents who like to plan ahead. Pre-plan and create an agenda personalized to your family’s interests using the “My Schedule” function within the app.

You won’t want to miss a trip to the Stars Over Texas Stage in The Junction! Enjoy animal acts, sing-alongs and talent shows hourly from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. while snacking on funnel cakes, candy apples and turkey legs! The Stars Over Texas Stage is located under a shady outdoor canopy and includes picnic tables.

See all of this and more at the Show, March 7 – 26. Grounds passes are available for adults 13 years of age and older for $10; for children ages 3 to 12, $5; and for children ages 2 and under, grounds admission is free! Visit rodeohouston.com to learn more.

Fun for the Entire Family in OXY AGventure
Grab your kiddos and head over to OXY AGventure, located in in Hall A of NRG Center, to see chicks hatch in the poultry exhibit and baby lambs take their first steps in the birthing center. Watch as wide-eyed children hear farm sounds come to life, right before their eyes!

Allow your kids to get their hands dirty in the horticulture exhibit while digging for worms and learning about the importance of soil composition, vegetation and water conservation in urban and rural agriculture. Before you leave, plant a sunflower seed to take home!

Interact with traditional farm animals, and some exotic ones, too, in the OXY AGventure petting zoo! A fan favorite, the petting zoo is stocked with friendly pygmy goats, pot-bellied pigs and llamas intermingling with excited kiddos with handfuls of yummy, animal-approved treats.

OXY AGventure is equipped with a fully-functioning milking parlor for you to see where milk comes from and learn how it is transported to your local grocery store. Demonstrations begin at 9:30 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends and are given by real-life dairy farmers!

Home to 12 interactive and educational exhibits, OXY AGventure provides both children and adults with a one-of-a-kind learning experience, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visit rodeohouston.com to learn more.

Kid-Friendly Entertainment in The Junction
Let your kids run free and catch some vitamin D outside at The Junction! This kid-friendly area of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is located directly behind Rodeo Plaza, near the carnival, and features rides and games designed for the Show’s youngest visitors.

Are your little tikes the competitive type? If so, sign them up for the Pedal Tractor Pull where children ages 4 to 12 years old compete in a pedal-driven tractor driving contest. These little drivers pull sleds behind miniature tractors down the raceway in hopes of out-pedaling their opponents! Competitions begin daily at 11 a.m. with the last performance at 6 p.m. on weekdays and 6:30 p.m. on weekends. The Pedal Tractor Pull is just one of nine attractions in The Junction sure to keep your children engaged throughout the day.

The Junction Carnival is packed with kiddie rides and games around every corner and is open 11 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and 10 a.m. to midnight on weekends. Admission to The Junction Carnival is free with the purchase of an NRG Park grounds pass – ride and game tickets are sold separately. Visit rodeohouston.com to purchase pre-sale carnival tickets today!

Mutton Bustin’ and Pig Races in The Junction
Mutton bustin’ in The Junction is the perfect event for your aspiring cowboy or cowgirl. In mutton bustin’, riders grab on to the back of a full-grown sheep for a wild ride! Donning protective vests and helmets, mutton busters are some of the toughest, and certainly the most adventurous, young cowboys and cowgirls at the Show.

Youngsters must be between the ages of 5 and 6 years old and not weigh more than 55 pounds to be eligible to participate. Entries open at 10 a.m., with rides starting at 11 a.m. and continuing every hour until 7 p.m. – cost is $15 per ride.

Celebrate your mutton bustin’ victory with a trip to the pig races, just a few steps away in The Junction. Your child is sure to squeal as these energetic piglets race around a 150-foot track, all in a matter of seconds! Arrive early to find a seat right in the middle of the action. Pig races start at 10:30 a.m. and continue every hour on the half hour until 6:30 p.m., daily.

Meal Options for Kids Across NRG Park
With more than 15 dining vendors offering kid-friendly and affordable meal options, lunchtime is a breeze at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo! From corn dogs, chicken nuggets, and hamburgers to cookies, funnel cakes, and ice cream, there is something on the menu for even the pickiest eater in your bunch.

Meal pricing varies among vendors, but the average kid’s meal costs around $5. Certain vendors offer sweet treats, such as soft-serve ice cream and popsicles, ranging from $2 to $3, and complete meals, including a protein, side, and drink, ranging from $4.75 to $8.75. Look for these meal deals at select vendors scattered throughout Rodeo Plaza and NRG Center – you must inquire about kid-friendly meal deals before ordering.

Visit rodeohouston.com for a complete list of dining options.

Value Wednesday Deals
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo provides its guests with world-class entertainment at an incredible value. If you’re on a budget, you won’t want to miss out on the Show’s Value Wednesday deals. Every Wednesday during the Show, adults will only pay $5 to enter NRG Park and seniors, 60 years of age and older, and children, 12 and younger, get in free!

In addition to discounted admission fees, visitors have access to shopping discounts, dining meal deals, and $5 off the purchase of $25 or more at the Official Rodeo Merchandise booths. Value Wednesday discounts vary among vendors and are available at select locations in NRG Center, NRG Arena and NRG Park.

Bring the family out to The Junction Carnival on Value Wednesdays between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to enjoy $2 rides and games. Save at the carnival every day during Show by purchasing half-priced carnival packs, on sale now through Saturday, March 4. The purchase of a half-priced carnival pack provides you with a bundle of ride tickets and refreshment coupons at an incredible value. Plus, each carnival pack includes a $5 off voucher (when you spend $25 or more) valid for use at any of the Official Rodeo Merchandise booths. Visit rodeohouston.com for more information.

Houston Happenings-Houston Livestock and Rodeo

March 16, 2016 By Callie Leave a Comment

(Why don’t 3 year olds look at the camera ever-is that just me???? Our beloved Astrodome in the back)

It’s Rodeo time! Now I’m a native Texan, as is our daughter, my husband, his family and my family. I grew up in Massachusetts from junior high up so I am basically your North/South mix. I do have to say that Rodeo in Houston does bring out my childhood and the native Texan in me…you see it feels like home.

If you aren’t from Texas this is the time to come. It’s warm but not too hot and Rodeo is here. Nothing so uniquely Texas as rodeo.

Row has been going since she was an itty bitty-just like bluebonnet pictures-coming soon! Now for those of you who don’t know Rodeo contains two parts-the livestock show during the day-actually all day, there’s also a carnival next to our beloved Astrodome and then Rodeo which contains the actual events-roping and riding and fireworks inside ending with a stage concert.

Row is still too little for Rodeo but we love some livestock show.

We trekked it on out to downtown Houston and braved our way through crazy parking. We rode the tram-which she loved, feet kicking screaming “Whoo” and finally got there.

Admission into the livestock show is $10 for adults and $8 for children-under 2 free. We headed right into the building for some air conditioning. The hall is filled with artwork from area Houston schools. From the littles to the bigs. All with a Texas theme. There is a ton of shopping-all Rodeo and Texas themed-what else of course.

And then….the animals. The show features cows, bees, rabbits, pigs, horses, donkeys,and chickens. Filled with education and fun facts about caring for animals and how animals help people everyday. Rows fav were the chickens-of course her Grandpa has chickens so naturally she loves them.

Each area featured demonstrations and gave out collectors card-cool! There was also an FFA area where high schoolers could show off their animals-we avoid this do to mess-and not wanting to run the stroller through it.

We ended our day with a walk through the carnival-all kinds of carnival food, and a walk through the food section-every kind of BBQ you could imagine. We had a great day. I love sharing our culture with Row.

If you haven’t been this should be on your Texas bucket list! What would you love to see?