Once again, downtown Houston bore witness to the start of the Houston Rodeo season; the annual parade united city residents to celebrate cowboy heritage.
From the early hours of the morning of February 28, thousands of families gathered to see up close the traditional procession of cowboys with their horses, wagons, and all the pride of continuing to represent their roots.
The Houston Rodeo traces its origins to 1932, and six years later, in 1938, the first parade was held, a tradition that still continues to this day.
This event is made up of enormous floats from a variety of local institutions and companies that participate and even compete to have the best. There are school bands from high schools and universities, but the most striking feature is the caravans of cowboys that arrive in the city from different parts of Texas to participate. After several days of activity, they arrive in Space City to display their pride and to continue with this tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation.
The first television broadcast of the parade occurred in 1959; since then, it is common for many to watch it on TV. However, those who stand in the streets of downtown watching it live feel the emotion of the season’s arrival with great passion.
This experience must be lived to be transmitted; watching videos and photographs of the Houston Rodeo can be exciting, but feeling it up close moves us with a contagious emotion.
Once a year we can witness this spectacle, and it is truly worth it.
This year Houston treated us to remarkable weather, allowing us to enjoy the parade in the best possible way. The tradition and the connection to what Texas represents were palpable.
The Houston Rodeo begins on March 2 at the NRG Complex; there one experiences the world’s greatest cowboy celebration, uniting millions with a single objective: to celebrate the heritage of the old West and to remain connected to its roots.
For activities you can visit www.rodeohouston.com.
