The Reliant Stadium
The upcoming Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is scheduled to be held at the Reliant Stadium. The multi-purpose venue was inaugurated in 2002 with its construction cost rounding up to four hundred and fifty seven million dollars. Currently owned by the Harris County and operated by SMG World, the stadium has gained popularity for hosting some of the most popular events. Over the years the venue has invited football, rodeo, basketball, wrestling, soccer, hockey fans and music lovers to attend exciting presentations. Currently home to the Houston Texans of NFL and the Houston Cougars, the venue is also known for hosting the Texas Bowl, AdvoCare Texas Kickoffs and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Artists and bands that have performed at the facility and attracted almost 80,000 spectators include Limp Bizkit, Metallica, the Rolling Stones, Deftones, Mudvayne, Selena, U2 and One Direction, including others. This time the Reliant Stadium is inviting residents of Texas once again to witness this year’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo event.
History of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
In 1931, seven residents of Houston met at the Texas State Hotel to establish the Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition, which later on went to become Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 1962. The first rodeo show was held in the following year at the Democratic Convention Hall and annual presentations took place at the venue till 1937, after which the hall was demolished. The rodeo show didn’t take place for a year until the Sam Houston Coliseum was built in 1938. From then onwards, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo achieved several milestones such as the debut of Gene Autry, “the Singing Cowboy” in 1942, commencement of the trail ride in 1952, becoming RCA sanctioned in 1954, commencement of the education scholarship in 1957 and the art program in 1963. In 1966, the rodeo show relocated to the Astrodome Complex where the first show attracted over 25,000 audiences. At one point over 40,000 people made their way to the complex which was over five times the capacity. To cater to the increasing demand, the owners of the rodeo show financed the construction of the 12-acre Astrohall. At the Astrohall, the rodeo show that brought Elvis Presley on 27th February, 1970 to the live stage achieved an eight-year high record of 43,000 spectators that wasn’t broken until 1979.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Today
Over the years, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has expanded not only its rewards but also its scholarship programs giving away more and more cash prizes each year. Currently the show awards over $1 million on an annual basis. Last year’s rodeo show brought forth an artist lineup that consisted of Toby Keith, Gary Allan, Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band, Mary J. Blige, Demi Lovato, Pitbull, the Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Bruno Mars, Styx, Tim McGraw, Jake Owen and Blake Shelton, including others. This year’s lineup is expected to bring forth another exciting lineup that consists of Brad Paisley, Eli Young Band, Usher, Chris Young, Selena Gomez, Jason Aldean, Jake Owen, Maroon 5, Hunter Hayes, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Robin Thicke, Blake Shelton, the Band Perry and Zac Brown Band.
Treat your family to wholesome entertainment as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo not only brings forth some of today’s hottest musicians but also market shows, contests, auctions and sales, calf exhibitions, team penning, ranch sorting, tie-down roping, calf roping, quarter horse breakaway and cowboy mounted shooting, including others.