Dust off your boots and get out your cowboy hat because it is Go Texan Day 2024 on Friday, February 23rd. Go Texan Day is the unofficial kickoff of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Unlike the rodeo, it is a free event. Let’s find out more.

What is Go Texan Day?

First, Go Texan Day began in 1954 as a way to promote what is now called the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Go Texan Day is a celebration of Texas’ Western heritage. For weeks, trailriders from all over the state of Texas have been making their way to Houston. Watch them arrive downtown during the day’s event.

The trailriders with their horses and wagons congregate in Memorial Park ready to participate in the parade downtown. By the way, this will be the next day on Saturday, February 24th.

Things to Do

Go Texan Day takes place at Hermann Square in Downtown Houston. As mentioned before, you can watch the trailrider roundup. You can also enjoy free chopped beef sandwiches from the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Committee. There will be live music and even an opportunity to take a photograph with a longhorn steer.

Ways to Participate without Attendance

Perhaps you cannot take off work to attend Go Texan Day but you can still participate. The easiest way to participate is to wear Western attire. Cowboy boots, cowboy hats, jeans, and big belt buckles are examples of traditional Texas garb. You can create your own Go Texan Day event with barbeque and/or country music.

In addition, you can participate in the Go Texan Day Contest. Upload a video submission to YouTube to enter with the proper contest link. To learn specifics, read here.

Now you know what Go Texan Day is, what you can expect at the event, and how to participate. If you want to experience the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo, then consider attending this year. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo begins February 27 through March 17. Here is their 2024 Visitor Guide to help you make plans.