HOUSTON – The 20-day Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo came to an end Sunday.
The 2018 rodeo presented a new stage for concerts at NRG Stadium, which this year opened and closed with shows by Garth Brooks and had nearly 2.5 million people in attendance.
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“There was something fun for everyone at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo,” said Joel Cowley, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo president and CEO. “Along with our many offerings, we were excited to bring back Garth Brooks for our fans. With the help of more than 33,000 dedicated volunteers, fans were greeted with a celebration of agriculture, entertainment and Western heritage, all while supporting the youth of Texas.”
Here is a look at the 2018 Houston Rodeo:
- 2,408,550 attendees for World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest (Feb. 22 – 24) and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (Feb. 27 – March 18)
- 215,476 attendees at World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest (Feb. 22 – 24)
- 75,577 attendees at the March 18 Garth Brooks show, the most ever at a rodeo show
- 75,565 attendees at the March 11 Go Tejano Day show by Calibre 50, the second-most ever at a rodeo show
The 2018 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series Champions, with total money earned:
- Tie-Down Roping: Tyler Milligan: Pawhuska, Oklahoma – $56,000
- Bareback Riding: Clint Laye: Pocatello, Idaho – $57,250
- Team Roping: Matt Sherwood: Pima, Arizona; and Walt Woodward: Stephenville, Texas – $112,000
- Saddle Bronc Riding: Cody DeMoss: Heflin, Louisiana – $56,250
- Steer Wrestling: Timmy Sparing: Helena, Montana – $53,500
- Barrel Racing: Nellie Williams-Miller: Cottonwood, California – $58,750
- Bull Riding: Parker Breding: Edgar, Montana – $57,500
- 33,949 entries into livestock and horse show competitions
- $15,141,680 - total of junior auction sales
- Grand Champion Barrow: $214,000 (world record)
- Reserve Grand Champion Barrow: $134,000 (world record)
- Grand Champion Goat: $182,000 (world record)
- Grand Champion Lamb: $300,000 (world record)
- Reserve Grand Champion Steer: $366,000 (world record)
- The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Champion Wine Auction totaled $2,431,041.
The Rodeo committed $26,709,110 to the youth of Texas in 2018:
- $14,271,000 in scholarships to be awarded this summer;
- $8,125,250 to junior show exhibitors and calf scramble participants;
- $3,726,820 in educational program grants; and
- $586,040 in graduate assistantships.
Rodeo:
- More than 61,000 people participated in a scheduled school tour or field trip
- More than 19,000 little cowboys and cowgirls rode the pony rides
- More than 625 eggs hatched in the Poultry Exhibit
- Sixty-one piglets, 14 calves and 13 lambs and were born at the Birthing Center
- More than 62,000 sunflower seeds were planted in the Soil Exhibit
- More than 114,000 little farmers visited Fun on the Farm, presented by TDECU
- More than 14,000 people rode camels
- More than 3,600 children participated in Mutton Bustin’ in The Junction
Food:
- More than 365,000 Oreos were fried.
- More than 125,000 turkey legs were purchased.
- More than 80,000 funnel cakes were purchased.
- Nearly 30,000 barbecue sandwiches were purchased.
- More than 45,000 tamales were purchased.
- Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and entertainer merchandise sales reached more than $3.4 million.
- Nearly 75,000 items with the Rodeo’s logo went home with fans.
- 30,000 caps and T-shirts.
- 10,000 lapel pins.
- 9,000 cups and mugs.
Carnival:
- A record of more than 2.7 million rides were enjoyed at the carnival.
- It took 350 truckloads of equipment to build the carnival.
- Sixty-four semitrailers full of plush toys were brought to the carnival.
- The top five rides in the carnival were La Grande Wheel, Skyride, Windstorm, RaveWave and Crazy Coaster.