Hold your horses, folks, the 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is postponed until May 4–23. The original rodeo had been scheduled for March 2–21, but considering the current state of Covid-19, officials decided to push the annual event to later in the spring. 

“With the evolving health situation, we have made the decision to move the 2021 Rodeo from March to May,” said Chris Boleman, RodeoHouston's president and CEO, in a statement.  

According to the release, competitions, concerts, the carnival, and other attractions and activities will now take place at the new dates, meaning the Rodeo might actually look like what the 2020 event was supposed to.

Several winter pre-Rodeo standards will also make the leap to May, including Downtown Rodeo Parade, Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition, and the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest.

But some events will still take place in the early spring. Last month Rodeo officials announced that the 2021 Open Show would be cancelled, so the focus could be on the Junior Livestock Show. This would allow for the events to be spread out over time and for organizers to limit crowds. According to today’s announcement, the Junior Livestock and Horse Show competitions will continue as planned in March.

“We remain dedicated to fulfilling our mission to support Texas youth and hosting a long-time Houston tradition,” said Boleman. 

More information about the May lineup, as well as the health and safety guidelines, will be released in March.