rodeo is coming up, and i am intrigued. i want to see some of the action, go to the grilling contests, and whatever else is going on. so what are the suggestions from the fchat houstonians?
Basically work your business connections as the best parties are "inside the rope" if you will.... The sky boxes, teams at the cook off, big companies that put their logo out there. Highly sought after, ...but there's always a broad cross section of folks to watch!! Participate at your own peril!! They do tend to fall on you, last minute, so if I see any I'll call!
The guys I knew that hosted a Sky Box, for what...24 days in a row? They were beat..took it on rotation.... When it moved to the new stadium, costs sky rocketed....they gave it up. You see consortiums, splitting the tab.
My company is sponsoring 'More Or Less Cookers'. They're celebrating their 30th consecutive year at Rodeo. Get in touch with me about saving you a pass.
Thanks Frank, on behalf of ross.. I am sending my recon forces out on Wednesday night...she will be back with as many wrist bands as she can find. We will hit it Thursday, ross. You are welcome to go along! By Friday and saturday it's a drunken, crowded mess. Some good music at Goode Comapany also.....we will hit Kirby on the way home. RIP Jim Goode......
Thursday night is definitely the night to go to cookoff. I avoid Friday and Saturday like the plague. I went to Rodeo Uncorked this past Sunday and had a great time as usual. Highly recommend going if you get an opportunity.
Good call. Never owned a pair of boots until I went to my first Houston livestock show and rodeo. First of all, they help you get into the spirit of the fun, second, you never know what you might step in.
The cookoff is worth experiencing. You will need passes to some tents though. Otherwise, it is pointless. There are basically three options (1) the guys that are really serious about the competition and have great bbq (go to these in the afternoon for lesser crowds), (2) the giant parties with bands, etc., (3) the lower key places that are just a group of enthusiasts inviting friends/clients. My view is once experienced, the cookoff isn't really worth the traffic mess. Plenty of good bbq places around town. Rodeo is also for the experience of seeing such a crazy event. Pick an artist you like and go to a show. The music will be pretty bad due to the acoustics but it is still cool to experience the rodeo and then the show in such a large venue. Don't miss the mutton busting or calf scramble portions. We rarely go now due to the trouble of getting in and out, much less parking if you drive yourself. On boots, it is too late now. You will do quite a bit of walking and that isn't a good time to break in a new pair of boots. Go get a good/custom pair, you are in Houston now, but break them in over time and wear them next year. The die hard committee members will consider most of the above sacrilege.
Not me, my brother the banker, with the longhorns, has Committee credentials...I think daughter Amanda will volunteer at that level next year. It actually does represent a significant time commitment.
I will get to the music nights.. There's always Thrift Store boots..Texas Junk....Catholic Charities....The Guild Shop. Good point on Parking $$$, I park at Continental Club and ride METRO rail....watch out for Uber the variable rates during events can leave you with a $500 tab.
Oh okay, for some reason I thought you were. Know quite a few committee members. I believe it was 2007, I spent almost every night at the rodeo because of my roommate. Good times.
+1 Tent tickets are a MUST. I could not imagine going without tent tickets. I have 5 lined up for tomorrow night
Last note on the Cook Off. I always like to observe the County Booths, these are winners of their home county Fairs, that then gain entry into the HLSR. Often with some pretty basic equipment. While a major corporation might occupy two or more "spots" with up to four trailers supporting it (you are eating catered BBQ, not even related to the contest food), I once happened across three guys with an oil drum pit.....from Hearne TX. They were sponsored by GATX, the tank car firm I had worked for in Texas City, Union Carbide. Once I told them that, they welcomed me and offered a beer. We sat and watched the girls go by, country boys in the City! So there's several currents you can see of the various levels of entry. One booth had mirror ball, live R&B band, and two bars, it was like a nightclub! If you notice this entire range, it's pretty cool.
Your entry at the gate includes ONE chipped beef sandwich, and maybe some chips. We drank ALL the premium bourbon at the House of Blues one year. There's a booth sponsored by Patron too....some hard core scenes at the end of the evening there..... Show starts at Armadillo Palace at 10:30PM It takes something pretty interesting to keep me at Reliant past then....
Find out when all the entries will be there for the "Ag Mechanics" judging. Amazing amazing amazing stuff these schools build. Innovative and Drool-worthy trailers, BBQ pits, service trailers, welding tables, CNC tables, etc. Usually a successful rancher or business owner funds the project and has the piece made to their bespoke desires. Even if you aren't a farm and ranch type guy, you must be a gear head, and I promise you won't be disappointed. Official Blurb: Agricultural Mechanics Project Show This Show highlights the many talents of Texas 4-H and FFA members. These individuals build gates, hay haulers, trailers and more, all on display in Reliant Center - an awe-inspiring display of amazing workable works of art.
Some serious drinking is involved. Drive safey, take METRO rail...... Image Unavailable, Please Login
so i have been 3 times now. once to the bbq, and twice to rodeo itself, and tonight i saw pit bull. gotta say guys, i love rodeo ! really fantastic show. quintessential texas! well done! i have been in texas most of the time now for a year, and i love it. fantastic place. you all should be very proud of your state.
+1 Houston/Texas is a great place. Been here my whole life and wont leave. Have you made it out to the hillcountry/austin yet?
That's awesome ross. Glad you're getting a good taste of the rodeo. I'm going for the first time this year on Wednesday. I miss the days of the Hideout in the Dome. Those were some really really fun times!
