Runs from Thursday, March 7ththrough Sunday, March 17th
Texas Border Business
By: Roda Grubb
Spring break is just around the corner and the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo (RGVLSR), one of the largest and oldest livestock shows and rodeo in South Texas i coming. It runs from Thursday, March 7th through Sunday, March 17th.
Did You Know there is something for everyone at this family-oriented show? From animals to art, history to horses, crafts to carnivals, it’s a show where people compete in all manner of events.
With over 300,000 in attendance last year, people from across the Valley and around Texas compete with their 4H and FFA projects or come simply to have fun.
Did You Know the Livestock Show is 80-years old this year? Started in 1939 as a means for students to show their animals and earn prizes, the show has evolved into an arena for teaching, community involvement and furthering education opportunities. Last year $1.8 million was raised to be given to the participants and over 265 scholarships were awarded.
Did You Know that 650 volunteers give their time because someone in their youth gave to them?
“Giving back doesn’t have to be about money. It’s a circle and these volunteers are giving back now,” said D.J. Wernecke, general manager, RGVLSR. “We all have to give back. That’s what keeps the circle going. If it wasn’t for volunteers, we definitely wouldn’t have made it this far.”
Did You Know the Livestock Show is introducing their first mascot this year? Rio, the Bronc, has joined the team and has its own stall at the museum in the Event Building and will be found walking around the grounds.
“We designed Rio in house,” Wernecke smiled. “I wanted a good-natured, non-gender horse with a friendly smile. We’re not saying if it’s a boy or girl. That’s up to every person to decide.”
Did You Know students spend all year raising chickens, cows, lambs, goats, pigs, and rabbits as breeding or market animals to win prizes such as scholarships, buckles,
“For example, there will be over 500 breeding pigs the first weekend, then they’ll go home,” explained Wernecke. “At the first of the week we’ll get around 800 pigs for the market division.”
Did You Know there is a Kids Corral for kids 12 and under? Here is found Cowtown USA for learning to milk a cow or goat, and an area for feeding parakeets and petting goats. A safe area with only one way in and one way out leads to a Kiddie Karnival including various age group rides. Relax while young ones explore.
Did You Know on Friday, March 8th, there will be a bloodless matador bullfight?
Two of the matadors will be coming from Spain and the intricate art of the bullfight will be explained to the public in English and Spanish.
Did You Know there are horse shows? Western and English riders will compete early Monday and Tuesday mornings. Monday will be Western riders competing in poles and barrels. Tuesday morning will find a wide variety of performance competition, offering a great opportunity to learn about the
Did You Know there’s working Antique Farm Equipment which dates back to the 1920s and 1930s? These can be found along the south side of the grounds with demonstrations as to how they work.
Did You Know students from third grade to seniors submit their 4H and FFA metal and wood shop projects and photography? The vast array of pieces from patio furniture to metal artwork and photogenic composition gets creative juices flowing.
Did You Know they have a Cotton Style Show on March 11, 2019.
“We have a young man who intends to go into fashion,” Wernecke proudly states. “He has made shorts, t-shirts, a dress, all different items. He’s not a big AG person but he participates every year at the show in the Cotton Style Show and does well.”
For entertainment value, the livestock show offers concerts, carnivals, various shows with clowns, hypnotist and the always mind-blowing magician, to name a few. A day at the show for the participants can bring joy or disappointment but always pride as they hear people praise their work.
Indeed, this is a show to be attended with the idea that it’s all about the kids. A gigantic fund-raiser to help the students move ahead in their education, whether it’s to purchase another animal, pay for college or make a decision in their careers. It’s not just about the incredible amount of fun to be had there, it’s about the hundreds of hours of labor the students, staff, volunteers put in each year to make this the best show ever.
Now You Know . . . the rest of the story! Like *Mr. Paul Harvey used to say.
*Paul Harvey Aurandt (September 4, 1918 – February 28, 2009), better known as Paul Harvey, was an American radio broadcaster for the ABC Radio Networks. He broadcast News and Comment on weekday mornings and mid-days and at noon on Saturdays, as well as his famous The Rest of the Story segments.
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