Texan Magazine
By Bill Dante
The western craze remains alive and well! For us Texans, it’s a way of life. According to retailers, more hats and boots were sold in 2023 across the nation than in any other year.
The postponement of the popular TV series, Yellowstone, which started the massive increase in western wear sales did not dull the resurgence of the western craze. Now you toss in the buzz about the new 4 Sixes series (6666 Ranch) plus throw in a few spinoffs and the western train keeps roaring down the track. Just recently it was announced that Texas’ own favorite son, Matthew McConaughey, is slated to star in a new Taylor Sheridan created western series. No wonder interest in the cowboy lifestyle is at an all time high. But “official”rodeos in Texas have been around since 1883 and continue to grow in popularity, breaking all attendance records. You won’t be putting your boots and hats away anytime soon. That’s great news for the increase in scholarship dollars for today’s youth. Major rodeos have been known to contribute millions of dollars as non-profits over the years and now those numbers are climbing.
Besides the rodeo feeding the fire for everything western, many exciting events have taken place too.
The famous and legendary lawmen, the “Texas Rangers” celebrated their 200th anniversary from one end of Texas to the Rio Grande, 1823-2023. Still wearing fine cowboy boots and the famous Stetson silver belly cowboy hat, these fearless men and women brought even more popularity to western dressing and the way of life.
Even iconic cowboy singer Michael Martin Murphy kicked off the 200th celebration at the Texas Ranger’s Gala and George Straits Band “Ace in the Hole” with special guest Bubba Strait ended the year out. It’s been said if it wasn’t for the Texas Rangers there wouldn’t be any Texas! By the way, their namesake the Texas Rangers Baseball team even won the World Series in 2023 just to help the legend along.
So grab your hat and boots and get ready for Texas rodeo season! It’s one heck of a ride!
FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW & RODEO
January 12 – February 3, 2024
It all kicks off in one of the more historic and famous western towns, Fort Worth.
Starting back in the 1890s, it’s the way a rodeo should be done. Twenty three days of exciting rodeo competition, specialty foods and drink and lots to see in the famous Dickies Arena. If you’ve never been, then Dickies is the place to start your adventure. There’s family fun, from kids activities to live music, a carnival, shopping, and extreme bull riding. With over one million dollars paid to the winning athletes and double that paid in scholarships and educational grants, you don’t want to miss it!
Fort Worth, San Antonio and Houston are among the top ten rodeos in the country!
SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW & RODEO
February 8 – February 25, 2024
Heading south, down U.S. 281 or IH-35 will take you right into the Alamo City. This Texas city is a favorite not only for folks from around the world with 32 million visitors a year, but surprisingly 80 percent of these visitors are Texans.
The San Antonio Rodeo is one of the best. At the same time there is a lot to do besides the rodeo. You can enjoy the winding and beautiful River Walk, SeaWorld, Fiesta Texas and just a 45 minute drive away you will find yourself in the picturesque Hill Country.
Entertainers like Wynonna Judd, Brad Paisley, Brooks and Dunn, Styx and Grupo El Duelo will be featured, just to name a few.
San Antonio has lots of great food from Mexican to some of the best steak restaurants in the state!
HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO
February 27 – March 17, 2024
Who doesn’t like Bar-B-Que and who would like to go see the World Championship contest? How about over 250 teams from all over the world competing on the Houston Rodeo grounds in NRG Park. It takes place on February 22-24th this year. Last year over 200,000 people attended the competition with the team from Jasper County taking first place.
The Houston Rodeo is considered by many as the best in the state. Last year saw record breaking attendance numbers of guests at over two and half million. It’s the world’s largest indoor rodeo featuring chuck wagon races, mutton busting for the kids and even a calf scramble. You might have to take a vacation during and afterwards to recover. It’s a sea of cowboy and cowgirl hats. Make sure you have yours! If you do go, try and catch the annual rodeo parade which happens on the 24th of February.
Check out the complete schedules attached to this article. Also you can go to Texanmag.com and get the free App. In the archived issue (with the Texas flag on the cover, Winter 2022), you will find a “rodeo 101” article, just in case you need to brush up or in case it actually is your first rodeo.
Grab your hat and shine those boots….Yee Haw!
