Texas Star Rodeo in Austin

This is the time of year that Austinites head to Auditorium Shores for a full all-ingredient Texan Cowboy Breakfast, the prelude to the Star of Texas rodeo. Every spring on the first weekend in March, many Austinites head to the shores of Lady Bird Lake for a belly full of biscuits and gravy, bacon and sausage, eggs, and various other types of food, including grits and French fries, and on a full stomach, make plans to attend the rodeo.

This weekend, this extremely exciting event will kick off at the fairgrounds: the 72nd Annual Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, culminating with a cattle auction in late March, after weeks of competition, cook-offs and other rodeo-related events. like the Rodeo Rumble Run and the Chuck Wagon cooking contest.

Many well-known entertainers are scheduled to perform at the rodeo this year, including ropes and riders, country music performers, and even rock and roll bands. This year’s standout acts include country great Randy Travis, musician Jesse McCartney, and comedian Carlos Mencia, as well as Creedence Clearwater Revisited, which is a group made up of some original Creedence Clearwater Revival members plus some new members, who perform the best CCR song. hits, among other nationally famous acts.

The Fair and Rodeo also hosts several competitive events, such as a youth cattle show, a western arts show, horse racing, and the scholarship pageant and Miss Rodeo Austin pageant, to name a few. There is also a carnival with all the usual rides and arcade games, including a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, roller coaster, and unusual rides like the Crazy Mouse. Prizes can be won at numerous stalls and games, and every type of food and drink imaginable is also on offer. Participants can purchase individual tickets, wristbands and day passes, for the least amount of entertainment possible for a moderate price.

There are also many trade shows, and with more than 300,000 spectators expected to attend the rodeo, these displays are a perfect way for vendors and representatives of these trade companies to build brand loyalty and a following among local residents.

Rodeo Austin is one of the largest indoor rodeos in the country, and cowboys and cowgirls compete for prizes. The Xtreme Bull Riding and Pro Rodeo and Pro Rodeo Finals are also very popular and take place in the middle to the end of March, with many events at the Travis County Fairgrounds & Expo Center east of Austin in Decker Lane, adjacent to Walter E. Long Lake.

The rodeo was founded in 1938 with the goal of promoting education and preserving the western heritage of the people of this area, and in 2008, Dodge was named the official truck of the Austin Rodeo. Also in 2008, the youth auction moved to the new Long Center for the Performing Arts, a beautiful new urban park located south of Lady Bird Lake. Additionally, in 2008, new attendance records were set for the Cowboy Breakfast, which drew a crowd of 7,000 participants.

In 2007, the Cowboy Classic golf tournament, held at the same time as the rodeo, broke auction sales records with more than $ 300,000 in proceeds going to scholarship funds associated with the rodeo and golf tournament. The event was also broadcast on the Internet for the first time, attracting a large number of viewers.

There are numerous opportunities for volunteers to give their time and energy to benefit the success of the rodeo, and more than 2,500 people volunteered their time for the rodeo last year, with many already signing up this year as well. So whether you’re attending as a participant, spectator, or volunteer, or all three, be sure to try the Western-themed event and outlying activities, and enjoy all the many events, games, sports, dancing, music, snacks, and entertainment. .

So this year, take your friends and family to the Star of Texas Rodeo and enjoy Old West activities in modern surroundings, and sample the cuisine and hobbies of settlers from Travis County and Central Texas. You will be happy you did!