Family Fun

In most states, February means Valentine’s Day for loving families, but in here Texas, especially in San Antonio, it is all about rodeo!

Yes, San Antonio cowboys and cowgirls here are all sweethearts of the rodeo, and this February when the Alamo Trail Riders, the South Texas Trail Riders and other trail rider groups make their grand entrance into town as the city gears up for the 73rd Annual Stock Show & Rodeo, kids cannot help but holler “Yippee Ki-yay!”

RODEO FEVER

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo will be held this month over 18 fun-filled days and nights, February 10-27, 2022, at the AT&T Center/ Freeman Coliseum and fairgrounds. Hosted by 6,000 volunteers, corporate partners and sponsors, the Rodeo is a non-profit organization emphasizing agriculture and education for the youth of Texas. More than $232 million has been generated since the Rodeo’s inception, with funds awarded through scholarships, grants, endowments, auctions, a calf scramble program and show premiums. In 2020 alone, more than 21,275 students were helped to further educational and agricultural goals, and more than 10,000 Texas college students benefited from a Rodeo scholarship. But more than being a way to help youth, the Rodeo offers active hands-on fun for families, with everything from “Mutton Bustin’” and a petting zoo, to bull riders and famous balladeers to a big carnival, too. It is all about Texas-sized, cowboy-styled family fun, so come catch “Rodeo fever.”

HAPPY TRAILS

To kick off the Rodeo, an estimated 5,000 cowboys and cowgirls begin making their way on horseback or in covered wagons to San Antonio with groups like the South Texas Trail Riders and the Official Alamo Trail Riders (These are but two trail riding organizations that ride to the Rodeo). The long-loved tradition of trail riders parading to town ends in a grand entry into the Rodeo arena (happening at 7:15pm on Feb. 12).

Want to see real-life cowboys? Head downtown to Houston Street to see the Western Heritage Parade & Cattle Drive on Feb. 5. This free event takes us a step back in time to celebrate our historic Texas roots and kick-off the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. The parade route runs through downtown San Antonio and features participants who represent our heritage and the Old West.

STARS AT NIGHT SHINE BIG AND BRIGHT…

Besides being a place to see and show animals, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo offers concerts from some of music’s hottest entertainers who perform each night following the rodeos. Famous stars of country, Americana, rock and pop give enormous crowdpleasing performances. Stars this year include Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Tanya Tucker, Sam Hunt, Brett Young, Toby Keith, Ramon Ayala y sus Bravos del Norte and many more. Concert performances can sell out quickly, so it is a good idea to get tickets now.

Want to get close to these big stars? Purchase the Rodeo Star Experience Package, which includes a first-class private dinner, two drink tickets and performance seats in the “Fan Zone” in the first two rows on the dirt around the stage. Regular Rodeo tickets are just as good for families, though, as they include access to a big carnival area, an action-packed Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo and all the headliner entertainment.

COWBOY CULTURE

San Antonio is one of the largest indoor PRCA rodeos in the United States, with 18 days of a carnival, competitive events, a youth rodeo, concerts, competitions, animal shows and more: that is why Rodeo in San Antonio is called “more than just an 8-second ride.” Favorite local Rodeo traditions are the focus of events held: Mutton

Bustin’, Ranch Rodeo, Youth Rodeo and the

Rodeo Star Experience. This year, a free event celebrating a colorful and exciting

Mexican tradition of horsemanship and pageantry will take place at the Charreada, sponsored by the Rodeo’s Horse Show

Committee, at the Freeman Coliseum on

Feb. 27. Charreada is a mix of rodeo skills and dressage, with riders showing traditional competitive roping and ranch skills, while donning exquisite costumes.

LIL’ BUCKAROOS CAN RIDE, TOO

Young ones can even get in on the fun during Bustin’ in the Barn, a fairgrounds Mutton Bustin’ experience for kids from 4-7 years old. Young Buckaroos “cowboy up” and hold on to a wild wooly sheep for six exciting seconds. Mutton Bustin’ happens during every rodeo performance, excluding the Finals.

RANCH RODEO

Ranch Rodeos offers real working cowboys the chance to compete in events such as steer loading, calf branding, roping and tying as they strive to make the cut for the San Antonio Ranch Rodeo Finals and compete for over $40,000 in cash and prizes.

YOUTH RODEO

Since its debut in 2014, the Youth Rodeo has become enormously popular. With more than 1,000 entries annually, the competition features Pole Bending, Goat Tying, Barrel Racing, TieDown Roping, Breakaway Roping, Ribbon Roping, Team Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding,

Bareback Riding, Bull Riding and Steer Wrestling. Also, the Rodeo’s Junior Livestock Show, which happens to be the largest in the nation, has record participation with strong growth in the Junior Agricultural Mechanics Show, Junior Shoot-Out and many knowledge-based competitions including Agricultural Public Speaking, judging competitions and a Skillathon. Other competitive rodeo events include a Western Art Competition and the Calf Scramble.

GIDDY UP!

In 2020 as many as 1.5 million people attended the Stock Show & Rodeo events, so do not miss out this year. Round up your youngin’s and mosey on down to the Rodeo for some fabulous February fun.

WRITER’S BIO

Janis Turk is a Seguin-based award-winning travel and food writer and the author of several books on Texas.

STARS OF THE RODEO CONCERT SCHEDULE 2022:

•Thursday, February 10, 7:00pm - Toby Keith • Friday, February 11, 7:00pm - Midland • Saturday, February 12, 1:00pm - Riley Green • Saturday, February 12, 7:00pm - Little Texas • Sunday, February 13, 1:00pm - Wade Bowen • Sunday, February 13, 7:00pm - Tanya Tucker • Monday, February 14, 7:00pm - Lady A • Tuesday, February 15, 7:00pm - Brad Paisley • Wednesday, February 16, 7:00pm - Sam Hunt • Thursday, February 17, 7:00pm - Ludacris • Friday, February 18, 7:00pm - Night Ranger • Saturday, February 19, 1:00pm & 7:00pm - Tim McGraw • Sunday, February 20, 1:00pm - Mickey Guyton • Sunday, February 20, 7:00pm - Ramon Ayala y sus

Bravos del Norte

•Monday, February 21, 7:00pm - Little Big Town • Tuesday, February 22, 7:00pm - 3 Doors Down • Wednesday, February 23, 7:00pm - Texas Storytellers • Thursday, February 24, 7:00pm - Brett Young • Friday, February 25, 7:00pm - STYX • Saturday, February 26, 1:00pm - Jimmie Allen • Saturday, February 26, 7:00pm - Ryan Bingham (Rodeo Finals)

click on this:

SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW & RODEO

www.SARodeo.com

OFFICIAL ALAMO TRAIL RIDE

www.Facebook.com/ theofficialalamotrailride

SOUTH TEXAS TRAIL RIDERS, INC.

www.STTR.net

02/28/22