The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Isaac is driving a huge John Deere tractor while Andrew goes along for the ride.
This weekend my family and I went to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. We had a great time. There was so much to see and do that we could have spent two whole days there. We usually go once every year.
It struck me as I walked through the complex that each year the livestock show includes more and more exhibits to teach the youth in the area about agriculture. They have an exhibit called “Fun on the Farm” outdoors where children pretend to do chores on the farm. Children have to collect eggs, milk a cow, plant vegetable seeds in a garden, etc.
Indoors, they have a huge petting zoo filled with farm animals along with a few exotic animals. There is a huge birthing center complete with expectant cows, pigs, and sheep. It also includes newborn calves, piglets, and lambs with their mothers. My smallest boys really enjoyed seeing the lambs and piglets.
The Houston Livestock Show also has demonstrations on milking cows, spinning wool, etc. They also have a cotton gin at work. There are bees in a clear plastic hive that you can observe. Tractors are available for children to sit in and pretend to operate. I am sure that there was much more to see, but as I said before, you cannot see it all in one day.
It is clear that the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo wants to teach as much as it can in the few weeks it operates in order to preserve our heritage. Kids have an opportunity to experience aspects of homesteading. They also get to see where food and products come. Agriculture plays a vital role in our society whether you live in the 4th largest city of the United States or in the middle of nowhere.
My children were not very interested in this section, but they already have a garden. They have raised cows, horses, chickens, ducks, sheep, goats, and pigs. They milk our dairy goats. They help out in our family’s garden. All five could care less about the teaching exhibits. My kids were definitely in the minority because the lines to see and participate in these exhibits were unbelievably long.
Part of the Grand Entry of the rodeo.
What did my kids want to see? The tractors, the horse trailers, the shops selling interesting wares, and the show animals. The pig races was one of the family favorites. It is very entertaining. Of course, the whole reason we went was to enjoy the rodeo. It did not disappoint. The cowboys/cowgirls were on top of his/her game. I have not seen scores like I did. In each event, the scores were consistently high.
Whether you have a homesteading family or are inexperienced in all things related to homesteading, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the place for you. If you are not from the Houston area, find out when your area holds similar events. It may not be as big as Houston, but it would still be fun for your family.
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