HOUSTON RODEO

Wednesday, March 10 – In the last post, we mentioned that the Houston Rodeo is going on right now. It is really called the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

They say everything is bigger in Texas and this is just another example. First of all, it is held in Reliant Stadium, home for the NFL Houston Texans, which can be configured to utilize a 125,000 square foot space for general sessions, catered functions, exhibits, concerts, and much more. The Houston Rodeo runs from March 2-23. Each day has a special focus. Examples are SALUTE TO OUR TROOPS, GO TEJANO DAY, VALUE DAY WEDNESDAY, SPRING BREAK STAMPEDE, etc.

There is a concert everyday with the biggest names in music. Here is just an example of the lineup of entertainers……Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Mary J. Blige, Jason Aldean, Jonas Brothers, Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Blake Shelton, Black Eyed Peas, on and on. Wednesdays are Value Days with all tickets only $10.00.  Regular tickets range from $16-$300.00. The cost of admission to Reliant Stadium, Reliant Arena, Reliant Center and the carnival is included in the Rodeo ticket cost.

Carrie went to the Rodeo this past Saturday and heard Jason Aldean. She said it was FABULOUS! They have the Rodeo and then set up for the concert. Marsha and Carrie hope to go to the Rodeo on Saturday, March 20. It is the Super Series Championship. Brooks and Dunn are in concert.

The country music duo of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn announced that after 20 years of making music together, they were going their separate ways, following a 2010 tour appropriately titled "The Last Rodeo Tour." The reason they may not get to go is that Carrie’s new furnace may be ready for the new catalysts. Since she is the Chemical Engineer in charge of the project, she has to be there for the installation. She is hoping the timing will be right so she and Marsha can go to the Rodeo and concert. Marsha is so fired up about this. She loves Brooks and Dunn. And to see their last concert together would be so sweet for the two of them.

Each night the Nightly News on Channel 2, Houston channel, has an update live from the Rodeo. Yesterday the youth brought their steers to the show. The reporters were talking about how much last year’s auction brought for each of the Champions/Runner ups, etc. in all the categories. Now listen to this….The Grand Champion Junior Market Steer sold for $300,000.00. YES, you read right. Marsha and I looked at each other and couldn’t believe it.  Marsha said….”That can’t be…..$300,000 for a steer?!?” So of course, she had to go on line and see if we heard correctly. We did. She found all the winners from last year. Click here to see all the results, but let me just list a few. 

Reserve Grand Champion Junior Market Steer…$100,000
Grand Champion Market Turkey…..$95,000
Grand Champion Market Goat….$120,000
Grand Champion Market Barrow (pig)….$140,000

This is just amazing. Check out the link, you will find a ton of other winners.

She then had to go a step further and see what a the Grand Champion sold for at the Stark County Fair (Canton, OH…our old stomping ground) last year. It sold for $6.50/pound.. .weight: 1,405 pounds, so that is about $9,132.50. Compare that to $300,000. She then went to the Ohio State Fair. She thought that might be more apples to apples comparison. She found that the Grand Champion Steer sold for $65,000….better. The Grand Hog sold for $31,000 compared to $140,000.

The judging of the livestock for this year is on Friday. We can’t wait to report what this year’s prices are. Again, Texas does it BIGGER.

Paul is doing great. Still some pain and stomach pains but getting better each day. The weather is absolutely beautiful. Marsha will share some photos of the flowers in the next blog.

Thanks for stopping. See you again soon.