This isn’t your hometown rodeo; it’s the world’s largest livestock exhibition, the world’s richest regular-season rodeo, and the Southwest’s premier entertainment event. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one annual event that Houstonites do NOT want to miss!

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has been around for more than 77 years, alive and kicking due to over 22,000 volunteers who contribute their time, resources and talent to bring the show to life. It is a charitable event committed to benefiting youth, supporting education, and facilitating better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentations. This year it will be open Tuesday March 2, through Sunday March 21 for people from all over Houston, Texas and the U.S. to enjoy!

To kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo the 23rd Annual ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run will get things moving in a 10Krace and 5K fun run/walk at 9:30am. At 10am the Downtown Rodeo Parade will ride through town continuing to heat things up for an amazing month of entertainment, agriculture, education and Western heritage.

But of course, don’t miss the Rodeo! The main rodeo events begin Tuesday March 2nd and start each night during the week at 6:45pm, and at 3:45pm on weekends. Any night at the rodeo will be an exciting, edge of your seat evening that will get your blood flowing and get you ready for dancing. You can get your dancing shoes on for a late night at The Hideout where adults 21 and over get in free. Here you’ll be able to two-step all night to the best music from established and up-and-coming country artists.

This year’s lineup of Superstar Entertainers includes Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts for a special Salute to Our Troops day, and Gary Allen. They will be playing Wednesday’s throughout March for special Value day prices. Other stars you won’t want to miss throughout the month include Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, The Jonas Brothers, and Brooks & Dunn.

There are numerous events throughout the month including Ladies’ Night Out, Rodeo Roundup, Salute to Our Troops Day and the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. There are also events for the little ones with Lil’ Rustlers Rodeo and School Art exhibitions from students in pre-K through 12th grade.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo isn’t just for entertainment. Over the years numerous buildings in Reliant Park have been donated to Harris County for entertainment and educational use, and millions of dollars are awarded each year in scholarships to students from Houston and throughout Texas. Economically the show and rodeo generates almost $345 million in revenue for businesses in the Houston Metropolitan area.

In 2009 the all-time general attendance record was broken with 1,890,332 visitors. Here’s hoping 2010 will be an even bigger year!

For more information and a complete list of events please visit www.rodeohouston.com

Enjoy the Ride during Rodeo season!