HLSR Facts & Figures

More than 2.5 million Houstonians attended the 2024 rodeo — plus other facts & figures

The cows have gone home, and the star-shaped stage has been put in storage. RodeoHouston has drawn to a close.

While the last bit of dirt is being swept from the floor of NRG Stadium, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo organizers released some facts and figures from this year’s show. By any measure, 2024 ranks as a highly successful endeavor.

Attendance

More than 2.5 million people attended the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. That included a record-breaking 234,456 people during the three-day barbecue contest. That's the highest total since 2017.

More than 1.3 million people attended the nightly rodeo contests and concerts. Los Tigres del Norte set a new attendance record that lasted exactly five days until the Jonas Brothers broke it by drawing 75,600. Both Bun B’s All-American Takeover and Nickelback also drew more than 75,000 people, and rising star Lainey Wilson came within 60 tickets of hitting the mark.

Livestock Show, Auctions, and Scholarships

Courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show &. Rodeo

More than 2.5 million people attended the rodeo.

This year’s auction sales totaled almost $26.2 million, including $4.1 million for barrow (pigs), $4.1 million for lamb and goat, and $10.1 million for steers.

The Grand Champion steer sold for $1 million, tying a record set in 2022. Other new auction records included the Grand Champion goat ($305,000) and Grand Champion lamb ($500,000).

The Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction drew over $2,8 million, including record-setting bids for the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion of $335,000 and $225,000, respectively.

All that money allowed the rodeo to pledge more than $27.3 million in scholarships. That includes over $14.6 million that will be awarded to students beginning college this fall, $9.5 million to junior show exhibitors, and $2.6 million in educational program grants.

Other items of note

Attendees bought more than 303,000 pieces of merchandise.

More than 35,000 volunteers participate in the 110 committees who execute the event.

Approximately 490,000 carnival prizes were awarded.

The top five food items sold include all of the usual favorites — turkey legs, jumbo corn dogs, michelagua, deep-fried Oreos, and funnel cake.

rodeohouston rodeo

flight cancelled

Historic Houston air terminal museum closes due to budget shortfall

Photo courtesy of 1940 Air Terminal Museum

undefined

A beloved Houston museum has closed its doors — at least for now. The 1940 Air Terminal Museum announced this morning (Monday, March 2) that it has ceased operations.

Located next to Hobby Airport, the 1940 Air Terminal Museum showcases Houston’s aviation history. Designed by local architect Joseph Finger, the museum’s Art Deco building is a protected landmark that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Museum president and director Karen Nicolaou tells CultureMap that the problem is simple. The museum’s revenues don’t match its expenses. Previously, the museum raised $100,000 or more per year from raffles on Facebook, but that stream dried up.

It generates some money from admissions and more from hosting private events, but it hasn’t been enough. Being far away from the Museum District means it doesn’t get the cross traffic that its more centrally-located peer institutions do.

Still, the museum occupies a unique space in Houston. “It’s one of the coolest places for kids to see airplanes,” Nicolaou says. “There’s no other place where someone can walk onto the ramp and take a picture of plane taking off with nothing in the way.”

While the museum is closed for now, Nicolaou says its board has been in contact with the Texas Historical Commission about taking over operations. One issue is that the commission would want to take ownership of the building from Houston Airports, according to Nicolaou.

“That’s going to take coordination between the city, the airport system, and the Texas State Senate. There’s a lot of politics involved,” Nicolaou says.

Of course, she has a simple proposal for Houston Mayor John Whitmire that would move the process along.

“Mr. Mayor, sell the historical commission the building for a dollar and be done with it,” she says with a laugh.

In response to CultureMap's request for comment, Mayor John Whitmire provided the following statement: "I’ve spoken with the Chair of the Texas Historical Commission about opportunities to support the museum’s operations in ways that enhance the public experience. We’re making progress, but discussions are in the early stages."

Whether it’s operated by the City of Houston, the Texas Historical Commission, a university, or some other entity, Nicolaou hopes the public will be able to visit the museum again soon and for many years to come.

“We want a permanent solution. We’ve tried for one for years,” she says. “It belongs to the city. It belongs to the residents of the city of Houston. They should have it to go to for years.”

museums transportation 1940 air terminal museum