A worker cleans the seats inside NRG Stadium before the start of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston.
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A worker cleans the seats inside NRG Stadium before the start of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Houston.
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Future Chairman of the Board James Winne, left, and current Chairman of the Board Jack Lyons give a tour behind the scenes of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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Future Chairman of the Board James Winne, left, and current Chairman of the Board Jack Lyons give a tour behind the scenes of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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A carousel horse awaits his first rider at the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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A carousel horse awaits his first rider at the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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Carnival rides and games are constructed from the ground up for the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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Carnival rides and games are constructed from the ground up for the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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HLSR President and CEO Joel Cowley speaks during the behind-the-scenes tour of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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HLSR President and CEO Joel Cowley speaks during the behind-the-scenes tour of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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The VIP guest room behind the scenes of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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The VIP guest room behind the scenes of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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A turkey leg emerges from the freezer, ready to be fried up for the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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A turkey leg emerges from the freezer, ready to be fried up for the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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Workers prep the shoots during the behind the scenes tour of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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Workers prep the shoots during the behind the scenes tour of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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A camel waits in its tent for the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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A camel waits in its tent for the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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Among the big priorities: making sure the cotton candy machines are spinning that floss,
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Among the big priorities: making sure the cotton candy machines are spinning that floss,
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Fletcher’s prepares to sell thousands of its corny dogs and funnel cakes.
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Fletcher’s prepares to sell thousands of its corny dogs and funnel cakes.
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Someone has to inflate the prizes for the midway games.
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Someone has to inflate the prizes for the midway games.
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Future Chairman of the Board James Winne, left, and current Chairman of the Board Jack Lyons give a tour behind the scenes of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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Future Chairman of the Board James Winne, left, and current Chairman of the Board Jack Lyons give a tour behind the scenes of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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Workers polish up the midway rides.
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Workers polish up the midway rides.
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Safety comes first as workers in harnesses prep the midway.
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Safety comes first as workers in harnesses prep the midway.
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Topiary animals are given a good soak in preparation for the rodeo.
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Topiary animals are given a good soak in preparation for the rodeo.
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The Barnyard Train gets some final touches before opening day.
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The Barnyard Train gets some final touches before opening day.
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Corn Junction readies its stand.
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Corn Junction readies its stand.
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A sloth waits patiently for the start of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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A sloth waits patiently for the start of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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“Bacon makes everything better,” including the Tornado Fries at this food booth, readying for the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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“Bacon makes everything better,” including the Tornado Fries at this food booth, readying for the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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Workers prepare the midway for the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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Workers prepare the midway for the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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The midway signs get a few fresh coats of paint in advance of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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The midway signs get a few fresh coats of paint in advance of the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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Workers polish up the rides for the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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Workers polish up the rides for the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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Midway tents are constructed for the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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Midway tents are constructed for the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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Vendors ready their booths inside the NRG Arena.
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Vendors ready their booths inside the NRG Arena.
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Workers polish up the rides.
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Workers polish up the rides.
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Workers construct vendor booths inside the NRG Arena.
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Workers construct vendor booths inside the NRG Arena.
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A pile of plush emojis wait to be won at the midway at the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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A pile of plush emojis wait to be won at the midway at the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
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It’s almost Rodeo time—are you ready?
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It’s almost Rodeo time—are you ready?
Go Texan Day is tomorrow, Friday, March 3, which means the annual trail rides leading into Houston from across the state will be converging on the city, and—of course—that Rodeo season has finally arrived.
Above, a behind-the-scenes look at just what it takes to get the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo up and running each year at NRG Park, courtesy of yesterday’s Chairman of the Board Media Reception and Tour. Last year, the Rodeo saw a total of 2,462,030 attendees throughout its three-week run, which was manned by a dedicated group of 32,000 volunteers and 100 full-time staff.
Rodeo attendees also ate their way through 300,000 giant turkey legs, 115,000 barbecue sandwiches, 53,000 funnel cakes, 22,000 deep-fried Oreos, 18,000 cinnamon rolls and five acres of corn were served. And when they weren’t gobbling down fair food (or watching the nightly concerts in NRG Stadium), they were hitting the midway’s rides and games.
Last year’s most popular rides were the Sky Ride, Coaster, Rave Wave, the G Force and, of course, La Grande Ferris Wheel, all of which are getting polished up for another round of riders this year. Meanwhile, the most-played carnival games were Mini Basketball, One Ball and Bank a Ball. On offer again this year as prizes: giant, stuffed, plush emojis that are now joined by Rodeo-only emojis—which we’re calling rodeojis—available through the HLSR app. Best of all? Unlike those prizes, the rodeojis are totally free.
The 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo takes place March 7–26 at NRG Park. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit rodeohouston.com.
