Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo enjoys large crowds on its 90th birthday
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner poses with Houston Airports staff in front of the Houston Airports float.
Houston Airports staff pose in front of their popular rodeo float.
Houston Airports offered displays that showcased the culture, history, and heritage of Texas.
After being a no-go in March 2020 and March 2021 because of the ravages and dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo returned Feb. 28 - March 20, 2022. Houston Airports participated in the opening-day parade of the event’s 90th birthday with an outstanding, colorful float that included the airport systems familiar logo, the three-letter airport codes for each airport within the airport system, and much more.
In spite of a cold-weather Saturday, crowds showed up en masse and lined the streets for a procession that included Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner riding alongside the Houston Police’s Mounted Patrol. Turner also posed for pictures with Houston Airports’ staff on the colorful float.
In speaking about the rodeo’s highly anticipated return, Turner said, "It's exciting we've gone through so much, we’re highly resilient and today demonstrates the resilience.”
The rodeo is held at NRG Park, home to the NFL’s Houston Texans. Prior to COVID, well over 2 million visitors flooded through the gates each year for the hugely popular event. In 2022, more than 2.4 million people attended the action-packed proceedings.
Houston Airports also brought the rodeo to George Bush Intercontinental and William. P Hobby airports. As in years past, the airport system worked with the rodeo to give its guests (passengers) a first-class peek into one of the world’s largest livestock exhibitions from some of Houston’s most promising young artists. Houston Airports is currently displaying multiple works of art showcasing the culture, history, and heritage of Texas. The art works can be found in Terminal A at Bush Airport and in the baggage claim area at Hobby Airport.
Employees also got in on the action, dressing up in their best western gear to help guests get excited about the rodeo.
Since its beginning in 1932, the rodeo, a nonprofit undertaking, has committed more than $550 million to Texas youth and education. The family-friendly experience educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases a western heritage, and provides year-round educational support within the community.
Texas country music icon George Strait closed out the rodeo on March 20.