RGV Livestock Show & Rodeo

The 71st Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo begins its 11-day run with a preview event on March 11.
Gates will open at 4 p.m. that day with free admission and $3 parking. Only some attractions will be open.

The official kick-off day is March 12, with gates opening at 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Parking is $3.

Junior cattle judging gets things going at 8 a.m. with the Beefmaster division. The judging winds down for the day at 4 p.m. with the Santa Gertudis. Cattle will be on display into the evening.

The exhibit buildings open at noon, while The Reed Exposition Carnival midway gets cranking from 4 p.m. to midnight. Armbands are $20. The Beer Garden will be open from 4 to 11 p.m.

The big bang of the evening — a fireworks display — is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Multi-platinum recording artist Blake Shelton will be the main attraction for the 8:30 p.m. concert. Local favorite Cedar Creek opens the concert. Tickets are $25, which include admission to the show grounds. Season ticket holders can purchase concert tickets for $20 at the RGVLS office with proof of purchase.

March 13 will be jammed packed with fun events such as a pet show set for 10 a.m. There will be the opening of the 4-H and FFA Shop Project Exhibit, along with Exotic Resort Petting Zoo, Planet Agriculture and the Western Art and Photography Show.

The cattle show activities start with judging of the Charolais Open Show at 8 a.m. and goes through the Santa Gertrudis Sale set for 6:30 p.m. in the Steer Barn.

At noon, the activities gear up with the opening of the Exhibit Hall, The Carnival Midway and the Beer Garden, which will have entertainment by Southern Revolution Band from 7 to 11 p.m.

Each year the parade grows and has become a favorite of thousands of fans on the route from downtown Mercedes on Texas Avenue to the RGVLS grounds.

Floats from local businesses or groups, area marching bands, horseback riding groups or owners of antique cars are able to enter and be part of the parade this year. The much-anticipated event starts at 3 p.m.

The Lil’ Miss Cowgirl contest will take place at 7 p.m. in the Event Center’s second floor. Two groups – 5 & 6 year olds and 7 & year olds – will be judged. Contestants must wear Western clothes and will be judged on attire and personality. Contestants will be competing for belt buckles, trophies and sashes.

The Whataburger Ranch Rodeo with crowd favorite Mutton’ Bustin, featuring Fables of the West, begins at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Rodeo Arena. The Boot Jack Ranch Rodeo will take place on March 14 at 2 p.m. following the same format. Attendees can see local ranch cowboys compete in fan favorites like wild cow milking or watch their favorite youngster ride (or try to ride) a wooly sheep. Admission is $5.

Don’t miss the PRCA Xtreme Bull Riding on March 18 at 8 p.m.; the Are You Tough Enough To Wear Pink PRCA Rodeo on March 19 with a calf scramble; Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. more PRCA rodeo performances are in store. Each rodeo event Thursday through Sunday includes Mutton Bustin’, the Fables of the West and The All American Cowgirl Chicks. Admission is $8.

Plan to attend one or all of the many acts, shows and attractions sprinkled throughout the grounds.
New this year is a special area just paved to create the KTEX Country Corral where The Village Blacksmith, Chris Camp’s Wild West Cowboy Cavalcade and Rusty’s Chuckwagon will all perform. The Fearless Flores Thrill Show, Timberworks Lumberjack Show and Robinson Family Chainsaw Artists are sure to tantalize.

For the young at heart, be sure to see the Kids Pedal Tractor Pull, Robinson Puppet Theatre, the Mobile Dairy Classroom and the Exotic Resort Petting Zoo.

If you are ready for some laughs, catch Erick Känd’s Comedy Hypnosis. Roaming the grounds for the delight of young and old alike will be the Fables of the West and Turbo the Robot.

For listening pleasure, the Beer Garden will offer a variety of music: the Southern Revolution Band (7-11 p.m., March 13); Jealous Hart (8-11 p.m., March 16); Chris Marshall and Marshall Law (8-11 p.m., March 19); and Highway Seven (8-11 p.m., March 20).

If dancing is your thing, be sure to catch the action in the HEB Action Spot nightly from 8:30 to 11 p.m. starting March 13 hosted by radio station KKPS featuring Tejano music; Sunday and Wednesday are Digital 101.5 nights; La Ley 102.5 and 92.7 will host Monday and Saturday, March 20 they will have a live DJ mixing regional Mexican dance music; Jack FM 104.9 will host Tuesday and Thursday nights; with Friday being KBUC 102.1 night. During the day of Monday, Tuesday and Thursday I.W. Henson & Friends will perform noon to 2 p.m.

The Greased Pig Scramble will be featured in the Steer Barn. Competition will be March 13-20 at 8 p.m. FFA and 4-H contestants who entered by Jan. 31, will compete for the chance to win a purchase certificate for up to $125 toward a qualifying animal to show at the 2011 RGVLS. Girls will compete against girls and boys against boys in the eight go-rounds, where each contestant that catches a pig by the rules will win a certificate.

Other competition events include Youth Team Roping, where teams from all over Texas will compete for matching saddles and horse trailers. It takes place Monday evening at 6 p.m. On Monday, the Open Youth Horse show will feature timed events Pole and Barrel Racing and Tuesday will showcase Halter, Showmanship and Hunter classes; start time 8 a.m. both days. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, there is a scheduled NBHA Barrel Race. On Wednesday at 6 p.m., a Jackpot Team Roping will be held. These events will all take place in the Rodeo Arena.

March 17 is Senior Citizens’ Day (60 & over) where senior citizens will be admitted to the showgrounds for $5 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Door prizes will be available from 10 a.m. to noon at the HEB Action Spot.

For the amazement of young and old alike, visit the Antique Farm Machinery Demonstration to view how it "used to be" done. The sights and sounds of these sputtering and coughing contraptions make you wonder how they ever got the job done and how good we have it in modern times.