Rodeo Mania and Memories

It’s that time of year again… The 2010 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo opens today and every time they open the gates (this is their 78th year), a stampede of childhood-to-adulthood memories and good times flood my brain.

For anyone not familiar with the HLSR, it’s one of the largest (if not the largest – I’m not sure) charitable and volunteer organizations in the Southwest. Their primary goal is to promote agricultural, livestock and farming pursuits and provide scholarships – and in their history, they’ve provided over $250 Million dollars to Texas youngsters. Over 22,000 volunteers donate over 1.1 million hours of their time each year to keep operating costs low, allow for top shelf entertainment and breathe life into the event.

I’m one of those volunteers. I have been since 1985.

When I’m not volunteering, I’ve been a patron. Long before I started volunteering. While my committee memories bring fond memories, my memories as a rodeo-goer are funnier. I think of:
- My parents bringing me to see The Osmond Brothers in the 70’s and I wore a purple cowboy hat because it was Donny’s favorite color.
- The date I went on and was angry because Eddie Rabbitt canceled. A little-known Texas performer filled in at the last minute. Some no-name called George Strait.
- I’ve drank Milk Punch in the mornings with girlfriends at the Chute Club; these turned into beers in the afternoon and jello shots by nightfall.
- I’ve danced with friends at the Hideout – some all-girl band named the Dixie Chicks were playing.
- Picture this: A stately crystalline buck, head held high, a bottle of tequila protruding out of his icy muzzle. Picture the other end, as the tequila flows out. I’m SOOOO happy that I did NOT drink tequila from the rear-end of that ice sculpture.
- The “beer goggles” that allowed my houseguest to set off the fire alarm as he went out to the car in the middle of the night to retrieve a bag for his wife. The firemen were not happy and I don’t think even the purple cowboy hat would have made them smile.

Over the years, volunteering has its benefits: I’ve worked on press releases, helped photograph calf scramble kids, worked the Go Texan Parade route and helped host wine events. I’ve listened to the sound quality of speakers at the tippy-top of the Astrodome and I’ve helped cowboys, bull riders and cowgirls make sure they pick up winnings. I’ve been a Captain, Chairman and Worker Bee. I’m happy that I got to ride twice in the Grand Entry – and not in a wagon, on horseback, thank you. I’ve also been able to watch top entertainers – from Elvis to Bill Cosby to Reba McIntire to ZZ Top – all from the arena floor of the Astrodome. So if you think its all work for free, don’t be sorry – the perks are great.

Only one thing left to say -- let’s Rodeo!