Welcome to the world’s largest livestock exhibition and the world’s largest Rodeo event! The 2012 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo kicks off February 28th and runs through March 18th, and last year set an all time attendance record of 2,262,834 visitors - requiring over 22,000 volunteers!

Going 19 days strong, Rodeo Houston is held at Reliant Park, and features bull riding, parades, carnivals, BBQ, wine tasting competitions, and loads of shopping! The Houston Livestock and Rodeo will feature cattle auctions and cattle judging. Traditional trail rides, which start in different areas of Texas and finish in Houston, precede the rodeo.

One of the newer traditions, Black Heritage Day is scheduled for March 2, 2012. Per the Houston Rodeo, The show spotlights the contributions of Black pioneers to the cultural achievement and heritage of the city of Houston and the state of Texas with a full day of fun and excitement.

Go Texan Day is scheduled for February 24, 2012 while Go Tejano Day is scheduled for March 11, 2012. The world-famous World Championship BBQ Contest is scheduled for February 23rd-25th and with last year’s contest had an increase of 22,955 attendees shattering the 2010 record of 221,229 with a total of 244,184 tasting the best of Texas BBQ.

Another tradition is the Rodeo Parade that kicks off the event. Be sure to check out the parade stats: 15 trail riders, 20 floats, 15 commercial wagons, 15 university and high school marching bands, dignitaries on horseback, and lots of balloons, all heading down Memorial into Texas Avenue! This year’s 75th Annual Rodeo Parade will be on February 25th with Country Music Superstar Clay Walker serving as the Grand Marshal.

One of the headlining rodeo events is the super popular Calf Scramble, featuring 14 calves and 28 students trying to harness them and place them in the winners square. Students care for and prepare their prize calves, and the winner returns the following year with a $250 bonus!

Most notable in Rodeo Houston are the celebs and concert performances in Stand-Up, Rock, Tejano, Blues, and Hip-hop. In fact, the rodeo has drawn the world’s biggest music legends – does Elvis Presley ring a bell? Yup, he was a Houston Rodeo Performer! And 2012 will not disappoint. Stars such as Alabama, Big Time Rush, the Zac Brown Band and Brad Paisley, to name but a few, will make an appearance this year. These stars and others make the Houston Rodeo Tickets a serious must have! Join the party, and let’s Rodeo, Houston!