The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announced the cancellation of its 2021 rodeo in a news release Feb. 3. The cancellation comes amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and rescheduling announcement in December of moving the rodeo to May 4-23, according to the release.
While the rodeo competitions, concerts and entertainment, carnival and other attractions are canceled for the 2021 season, the Junior Livestock and Horse Show competitions will be held in March as private events following state and local health and safety guidelines, according to the release. The Junior Market Auctions and Champion Wine Auction will also be held as private events in May.
“While we were optimistic that moving our rodeo to May would provide a better opportunity to host our annual community event that rodeo fans have come to love and expect, unfortunately, it has become evident that the current health situation has not improved to the degree necessary to host our event,” said Chris Boleman, the president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, in the release. “While this is an extremely heartbreaking decision for our rodeo volunteers and the larger rodeo community, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the health and well-being of our community.”
Rodeo-related activities included in the cancellation include the Downtown Rodeo Parade, Trail Ride activities, Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition and the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, according to the release. Details will be announced at a later date regarding The Rodeo Run, which will be presented in a virtual format.
Rodeo officials said the community’s health and safety as well as finances contributed to the decision to cancel the 2021 events. The 2021 season will mark the second year the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has been canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic, as the 2020 season was canceled just days into the annual activities.
Information for the 2022 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo—the 90th annual event—will be announced at a later date, according to the release.
“The rodeo and our volunteers are committed to continuing to provide fans with a community event that all can be proud of,” Boleman said in the release. “We look forward to welcoming rodeo fans back to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2022 for our 90th anniversary celebration.”