Houston Rodeo Traditions

According to Haley Kurisky, Customary Confections is one of the best stops for fried dessert at the rodeo. "The fried cheesecake is rich but wonderful!" she says. 

Few Houstonians haven’t been to the Rodeo, and everyone has their own traditions associated with this special time in March. From my own experience and the experiences of others, I’ve compiled a list of traditions that you must try as a veteran or as a newbie to the odeo!

For the food, here are a few of my “must-eats”: corn dogs (they are about a foot long), fried Oreos (you’ll have to diet the rest of the week) and fried pickles! If you like barbeque, you’ll find the best of the best at the Rodeo. Fried food is abound, including fish, meat, dessert and more. The Goode Company barbecue tent is a classic if you’re looking for specific places. 

A baby sheep peeks its head out from under a hay bale at the farm animal section of the Rodeo.

A popular activity at the Rodeo is looking at all the baby animals and shopping around in the convention center next to NRG Stadium. The baby chicks are my favorite part. You can get up close and personal with baby pigs, baby cows, baby goats and adult animals too! There’s a petting zoo for kids, and adults will love shopping around the various shops selling leather goods and food. The Rodeo is the best place to buy a leather purse or a nice pair of boots, both of which make great gifts for yourself or others. 

Charles Sauve, a Rice student from Wisconsin, describes his favorite part of the Rodeo as “the atmosphere. It’s a bunch of people coming together to celebrate Texas culture, and the fried food cannot be beat.” This year, he says, he’s looking forward to the Alicia Keys concert. 

Adam Kassir, originally from the Spring Branch area, laments that he’s never actually been to the Rodeo, even though he’s from Houston. “This year,” he says, “I want to go see one of my favorite bands, Blink-182. I also want to go to the carnival because the rides look fun and contribute to the atmosphere.” 

Although the carnival/rides are mainly geared towards little kids, it’s still fun to ride the Ferris wheel and see the kids competing in the various games. You’re never too old to get your face painted or to ride the tilt-a-whirl!

Although some may opt to miss out on the rides, food, shopping or animals, everyone knows about the concerts! Check out some the concerts happening at the Rodeo and in Houston this month in my latest concert article. Here are all the events happening in accordance with the Rodeo.