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Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo Kicks Off Rodeo Season and A New Tradition in Houston and Harris County

Harris County, TX, February 22, 2024, Harris County, TX, February 22, 2024, Judge Hidalgo along with County officials welcomed the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to NRG Stadium today by tossing the hat over to Rodeo officials during Harris County's First Ever Hat Toss Day. This new tradition signals the start of the iconic event here in Houston and Harris County and an unofficial kick-off to Rodeo season. 

Judge Hidalgo, Rodeo Chairman Pat Mann Phillips and Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez also made history by becoming the first Harris County riders of the rodeo’s newest Carnival ride, the Joker 360.  

“I am so excited to kick off a new tradition for rodeo season, Harris County Hat Toss Day, where we officially welcomed one of our prized tenants, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, to Harris County’s NRG Stadium. Harris County and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo have such a special relationship and the rodeo means so much to our community. I think we can all remember the first time we came to the rodeo and just being in awe of how impressive it is and how much it brings our community together. Going forward, the opening day of Cookoff will always be Harris County Hat Toss Day,” said Judge Lina Hidalgo. 

Press event attendees included: 

  • Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Judge
  • Ed Gonzalez, Harris County Sheriff
  • Ryan Walsh, CEO/Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation Executive Director NRG Park
  • Pat Mann Phillips, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Chairman of the Board
  • Dr. Chris Boleman, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, President & CEO
  • Howdy, Rodeo Mascot

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a co-tenant in the 1.9 million-square-foot NRG Stadium, the largest and most expensive rodeo and football facility ever built. The rodeo has been held at NRG Stadium since 2003. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation.

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