ETC: Houston Livestock Show

Moo.

I grew up going to the county fair in Michigan. The fair ran for a week, everyone went when it was open, and you had fun. Coming from that background, nothing could prepare me for the spectacle that is the Houston Livestock show and Rodeo. This event runs for 20 days, and has over two million visitors during that time. There is a rodeo every night followed by a headline concert. The junior livestock shows are much like at any county fair, but the stakes are much higher. The grand champion junior steer sold for $460,000 this year. It's like every county fair in a medium state all happening at the same time. It's a spectacle worth attending.
We've attended the rodeo and the concerts a few times in the past, and they're a really good time. We usually just go to the livestock show though, we cruise the animals, go to the petting zoo, go on a few rides, and generally have a fun day out and about.
The story of a trip like this is really best told through pictures, so click through the jump to see how the day went.

Walking to the fair.

Baby chickens hatching.

They're adorable. I need more chickens.

Why does this say meat rabbit?

Fresh baby cow.

Baby pigs. Either sleepy or hungry. Sounds familiar.

The reason this happens. The livestock.

Getting them clean, at the cow wash.

How do I start this thing?

Crowded petting zoo. The lama was happy to be tall.

Maaaaaaa, that feels good......

The biggest slide.....ever.

Bigger kids, bigger rides. He had fun.

NASA had a booth on the way out. They let us put on space helmets.

We had a great day at the Houston Livestock Show. We didn't stay for the Rodeo this year and that's ok. Everyone was pretty tired by the time we got done. As the kids get bigger we'll stay longer and ride more rides and do more stuff. It's a good time.