The Houston Rodeo and Live Stock Show - Part 1

Ok, so technically this post isn't about the Houston Rodeo, just yet.  It's about the World's Championship BBQ Cook-Off that kicks off the Houston Rodeo.  Along with the cook-off the carnival opens up the weekend ahead of the Rodeo.  So this weekend we decided to cash in on half-off carnival tickets (a special they run on opening weekend) and some beautiful weather and spend an afternoon at the carnival.  This makes everyone happy;  Brenna loves the rides and Mom and Dad love the food!  Let me just say, if you haven't eaten a fried snicker coated in powdered sugar and covered in chocolate, then you really haven't lived.

Our afternoon included the fun house, pizza, the fun house, turkey legs, the fun house, a corn dog, the fun house, a fried snicker.  I'm sure you can see what's happening here.  By the time we ran out of tickets, Brenna could find her way through the house of mirrors blindfolded.  We squeezed in some other rides too.  But what we didn't get was BBQ!  Can you believe it? Here's the things, this isn't like the fair where you wander from food stand to food stand picking your treat and paying as you go.  You have to purchase arm bands specific to the "Pavilion" that you want to go to, before you can even step foot into the tent.  Now these "Pavilions" are actually mini-Honky Tonks complete with sound systems, dance floors, strobe lights, and bar.  Apparently these cowboys know how to have a good time!  Only one pavilion was open to the public, but since we couldn't see a BBQ plate in sight and all its patrons were beer laden, we decided to stick to the mid-way.

The reason I titled this Part 1 is because Brenna and I will be returning to the Houston Rodeo on Friday with a group from our church.  We're going to take the kids over in the morning to see the exhibit hall.  So there will be more to come next week.