Houston livestock show and rodeo

The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo is an annual event in Mercedes, Texas.

History

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In 1939, the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Agricultural Exposition, the forerunner of today's show, was organized as a project of the Mercedes Chamber of Commerce.

The first Show was held in 1940 on the grounds of a local livestock sales yard with makeshift pens and lean-to sheds. The show continued to be held on this same property until 1949, when it moved to its present location at 1000 North Texas in Mercedes, with the exception of 1943 to 1945.

In 1947, the Show was incorporated and chartered as a nonprofit, educational organization with a Board of Directors representing all of the four southernmost counties in Texas.

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Up until 1955, all livestock was shown primarily in tents. By 1979 all exhibits, which were once housed in some 12 tents, were in permanent buildings located on slightly more than 100 acres (0.40 km²).

Volunteers from all walks of life (bankers, lawyers, accountants, farmers, and ranchers) and

stock show lineup

stock show rodeo schedule