This is the time of year when Austinites head to Auditorium Shores for a full Texan cowboy breakfast with all the fixings, the prelude to the Texas Star Rodeo. Every spring, during the first weekend of March, many Austinites head to the shores of Lady Bird Lake to fill their stomachs with biscuits and gravy, bacon and sausage, eggs, and various other types of food, such as grits and hash browns. of potato, and with a full stomach, make plans to attend the rodeo.

This weekend, this extremely exciting event kicks off at the fairgrounds: the 72nd Annual Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo, culminating in a cattle auction in late March, after weeks of competition, cook-offs and other rodeo-related events. like the Rodeo Rumble Run and the Chuck Wagon Cooking Contest.

Many well-known performers are scheduled to perform at the rodeo this year, including ropers and horsemen, country music performers, and even rock and roll bands. This year’s featured acts include country great Randy Travis, musician Jesse McCartney and comedian Carlos Mencia, as well as Creedence Clearwater Revisited, which is a group made up of some original Creedence Clearwater Revival members plus some new members, who perform the best songs of CCR. hits, among other nationally famous acts.

The Fair and Rodeo also features several competitive events, such as a Junior Livestock Show, Western Arts Show, Horse Racing, and the Scholarship Pageant and Miss Rodeo Austin Pageant, to name a few. There’s also a carnival with all the usual rides and arcade games, including a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, roller coaster, and unusual rides like Crazy Mouse. Prizes can be won at numerous stalls and games, and every type of food and drink imaginable is also on offer. Participants can purchase single tickets, wristbands and day passes for as little or as much entertainment as possible at a moderate price.

There are also many trade shows, and with over 300,000 spectators expected to attend the rodeo, these shows are a perfect way for vendors and representatives of these trade companies to build brand loyalty and a following among local residents.

Rodeo Austin is one of the largest indoor rodeos in the country, and cowboys and cowgirls compete for prizes. The Xtreme Bull Riding and Pro Rodeo and Pro Rodeo Finals are also very popular and take place in the middle and end of March, with many events taking place at the Travis County Expo Center and Fairgrounds in East Austin on Decker Lane, adjacent to Lake Walter E. Long.

The rodeo was founded in 1938, with the goal of promoting education and preserving the western heritage of the people of this area, and in 2008, the Dodge was named the official truck of the Austin Rodeo. Also in 2008, the youth auction moved to the new Long Center for the Performing Arts, a beautiful new city coliseum located south of Lady Bird Lake. Additionally, in 2008, new attendance records were set for the Cowboy Breakfast, which drew a crowd of 7,000 attendees.

In 2007, the Cowboy Classic golf tournament, held concurrently with the rodeo, broke auction sales records with more than $300,000 in proceeds going to scholarship funds associated with the rodeo and golf tournament. The event was also broadcast on the Internet for the first time, attracting a large number of viewers.

There are numerous opportunities for volunteers to give of their time and energy to benefit the success of the rodeo as well, and over 2,500 people volunteered their time for the rodeo last year, with many already signing up this year as well. So whether you attend as a participant, spectator, or volunteer, or all three, be sure to try out the Western-themed event and fringe activities, and enjoy all of the many events, games, sports, dances, music, snacks, and entertainment. .

So this year, bring your friends and family to the Star of Texas Rodeo and enjoy Old West activities in a modern setting, and sample the cuisine and pastimes of settlers from Travis County and Central Texas. You will be glad you did!