Houston Rodeo 2020

Due to the onset of the Corona Virus, Houston Rodeo 2020 was shut down several days early, in hopes of slowing down and eliminating the number of people being exposed to COVID-19.  Volunteers who showed up to work on Wednesday morning had no clue that something was amiss and were shocked to be advised that as of noon the rodeo would be closing. 

Students have spent months preparing for the opportunity to showcase their work, show their animals, earn scholarships, and sell their animals at auction.  Disappointment was obvious among the FFA participants, judges, vendors, spectators, as well as the stars who were there to perform.

But amazingly, the rewards of Houston Rodeo 2020 are still ongoing.  After the early closing of the Houston Rodeo, RCS Carnival Group, a vendor for 27 years, donated a large amount of food to the Houston Food Bank.  Meats, bread, produce, and dairy will help feed thousands of families during these days.  Dominc Palmieri is the owner of the RCS Carnival Group which operates five food booths at the rodeo.  When interviewed by KPRC, Dominic stated, “The RCS carnival vendors felt that it was important to try and give back to the community as much as possible, and are certainly looking forward to coming back again next year.”

Just a few of the other positive outcomes:

LC Photographers offered to take pictures of the rodeo participants with their animals, in order to help sell the animals.

The Rodeo is still giving out scholarships.

A steer auction was held online and a Poultry Show was arranged in two days’ time to benefit the students who missed out at the Houston Rodeo.

One donor has asked participants to write an essay on what it meant for them to participate in the process of raising their animal.  Scholarships will be awarded to the winners.

Ranchers and other buyers have made it known that they are willing to purchase animals from rodeo participants.

A page has been setup for the Houston Rodeo vendors to sell their merchandise.  Some of these participants depend on the sales from Houston as their livelihood for the rest of the year.  This page has given opportunities to purchase items, even for people who did not attend the rodeo.  Since people may not have time to visit every shop, this has made it easier to view and choose merchandise and support the vendors.

Even though it may not have been the best of times for Houston Rodeo 2020, good is still coming from the disappointing days.  Hopefully, not spreading the Corona Virus will be a major benefit.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

Romans 12:15