Rodeos Happen Not Only in Houston

Its rodeo time all over Texas, especially in Houston, Texas.  However, I am more excited for the local county fair and rodeo.  Its the time of year when school aged children up through high school will be missing school to show their pigs, goats, steers, rabbits, and more.  In fact, in my hometown there are even "fair days" where school is canceled because so many would be missing anyway.  This is an extremely important time of year where everyone is so busy and excited.

For as long as I can remember, I have gone to the rodeo every year.  The fair grounds and the rodeo barn are well-known and well-utilized in my town.  In fact, the rodeo held there each year is well-known around local small towns because these are nationally, and world renowned cowboys and competitors.  Of course, its the neighbors' children who participate in the mutton bustin' and its one of your good friend's boyfriend who is on a steer wrestling team but the rodeo is not just some local, podunk show.  This is serious business.  

The atmosphere as soon as you enter the rodeo barn is filled with excitement and dust.  Lots of dust. There is the smell of roasting nuts and leather coming from the little nooks and crannies filled with retail you can buy and of course, the sweet smell of animals and hay.  People dress all fancy to come to the rodeo.  Some wear dresses, or their nice jeans, with a button down shirt, flashy belt, and their Sunday boots.  This is the social event of the season where you see everyone you went to high school with and catch up on all those who have came back into town for fair week. 

Once in your seats, after the national anthem, the recognition of the world renowned cowboys who came to perform, and a prayer for the safety of the animals and the competitors, the rodeo starts with the first bucking bull out of the shoot trying to throw the cowboy who is determined to keep his seat for eight seconds.  There is so much energy and excitement that is held throughout the bull rides, calf roping, team roping, barrel racing, mutton bustin', steer wrestling, and more.  Everyone is cheering loudly, drinking beer, and eating funnel cakes and curly fries.  There is so much community in those moments when the team ropers catch those horns and the slippery back hooves as the crowd erupts with applause at a job well-done.  There is a sharp intake of breath as the cowboy flies off the bucking bull and the clown jumps between the fallen cowboy and the bull and is inches from the dangerous horns.  There is a communal heart pounding 12 seconds shared with the girls cutting the corners infinitely close to the barrels and hoping they stay upright.  There is laughter shared when the boys just can not get that pesky steer across the line with their friend on top holding the strap of the saddle that he prays will stay on for just a few more seconds and him with it.  There are the good times, the intense seconds, and the good moments that make a person proud to be a Texan, proud to be part of such an event that has so defined our culture.  The history of the rodeo and the fact that a lot of these competitions evolved from useful practices for working the cattle back in the old days where the land was more open and there was less modernization that helped with the hard work, all of these emotions stick with a person in a profound way.  

To me, the rodeo is about this up-front and personal experience shared with half of my hometown community.  I don't need some fancy concert, I am perfectly content with my heart-wrenching and exhilarating, feeling of belonging, and pride to be a part of this great state of Texas and the tradition that is the rodeo.