Time to Tailgate

Houston sports fans score great food and fun at CultureMap's Tailgate

It's rare to get a Houston evening with low humidity, crisp air, and cool breezes, but the stars aligned for The Tailgate presented by Verizon, CultureMap's third annual signature event, on November 11. The weather was absolutely perfect.

Held at 8th Wonder Brewing, the (mostly) outdoor event offered about 500 guests plenty of space to mingle, eat, and enjoy the laid-back vibe of sports-themed fun. Houston pride shone brightly with attendees donning their best Astros, Texans, Rockets, and Dynamo gear.

Courtesy of presenting sponsor Verizon, VIP admission gave guests access to a special meet-and-greet with two of the Houston Texans' most popular alumni — defensive stars Brian Cushing and Travis Johnson. The players handed out their autographs and snapped photos with fans to kick off the evening. Guests were also able to register for an exciting chance to win a VIP trip for two to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. And if you missed your chance, don't worry. There's still time to enter now.

Of course, no tailgate is complete without delicious food. Guests gobbled up generous samples from some of Houston's favorite restaurants, including:

Adobo beef tacos from 1891 American Eatery & Bar
White wings, gold fever wings, crawdaddy and mango habanero wings, and signature onion rings from Big City Wings
Comfort Foodies' signature empanadas in four flavors: oxtail, beef and cheese, chicken and cheese, and spinach and cheese
Shrimp ceviche shooters and brisket on a croissant from The Halal Guys
St. Louis ribs with Comeback Sauce from Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition
Spicy and regular Layne's chicken fingers with dipping sauce
Smoked salmon handroll from Kokoro
Loro's smoked brisket tostadas with shishito salsa
Ramen Frito pie from Ramen Tatsu-Ya
Lobster rolls, corn and crab bisque, lobster bisque, and whoopie pies from Mainely Sandwiches
Smoked pulled pork bahn mi pizza from Pizarro's Pizza
House made bratwurst on a challah roll with sauerkraut and amber ale mustard from Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Jerk lamb chops from Southern Jerks
Spicy ranch wings from Taste Kitchen + Bar
Laab chicken sandwiches with tortilla chips from Thai Tail
The Waffle Bus' Hot Mess Fries: seasoned waffle fries topped with spicy buttermilk fried chicken bites, white cheddar mac and cheese, and Thunder Sauce
72-hour sous vide wagyu short rib from Uchi
Wagyu meatballs and edamame fritters from Uchiko Houston

With virtually no wait time for drinks, the bars served up signature cocktails by Jameson Irish Whiskey and Weber Ranch Vodka. Guests sipped memorable espresso martinis made with Shipley Do-Nuts cold brew at the Houston Powder Coaters lounge, along with THC seltzers from Howdy and 8th Wonder beers.

Big City Wings beat out 15 other competitors in a bracket-style tournament to take home the title as winner of the Ultimate Wing Showdown. And The Waffle Bus scored a repeat win as attendees' favorite dish of the night; they also took home the title in 2023. Sponsor East River 9 offered more delicious food at their booth.

Local sports organizations were well represented, with the Texans raffling off a coveted CJ Stroud-signed White Panel Football. The Astros showed off their Shooting Stars dancers, plus the 2017 and 2022 World Series Trophies. And Houston soccer stars the Dynamo and Dash raffled off team-signed jerseys.

Julia Morales showcased with her custom apparel line, Shop Baseball, Y'all. Attendees could also shop the great apparel selection from Mizzen + Main.

Every sports-themed event needs some friendly competition and awards to take home. Guests could putt putt for prizes, courtesy of Holey Moley.

And the night wound down with a spirited kolache-eating contest sponsored by Shipley Do-Nuts; the lucky winner received free doughnuts for a year.

At the end of the night, there was only one complaint to be made for The Tailgate: It had to come to an end for another season.

The Tailgate was presented by Verizon and sponsored by 8th Wonder, HOWDY, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Houston Powder Coaters, Holey Moley Golf Club, Mizzen + Main, Shipley Do-nuts, and East River 9.

Photo by Daniel Fernandez

Katie Connolly, Brian Connolly, Samantha Holsomback, Branden Navarre

culturemap sports tailgate

Western Glam

RodeoHouston Trailblazers celebrate service with runway flair

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Trailblazer Awards Luncheon 2026

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Holly Alvis, Meredith Johnson, Demi McComack, Christina Greene McAllen, and Whitney Lawson.

The Hilton Americas-Houston was all boots, bravado, and a runway that could rival any fashion week festivities—but with a distinctly Texas twang.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Holly Alvis, Meredith Johnson, Demi McComack, Christina Greene McAllen, and Whitney Lawson.

Under the banner of “The Greatest Luncheon on Earth,” nearly 2,200 guests flooded the fourth- and second-floor ballrooms for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s 26th annual Trailblazer Awards Luncheon and Fashion Show. The palette of the day leaned circus-chic: Reds, golds, and black punctuated by cowboy hats, polished boots, and sharp suits.

If there were a dress code, it read Western glam with a wink.

A massive runway stretched through the room, flanked by multiple hanging LED screens that delivered overhead shots in cinematic fashion, thanks to Stage Directions. The show opened with a full-circle moment as honorees from the past 25 years made their runway return.

This year’s six trailblazers—Tammy Barrier, Lisa Blackwood, Beth Cardono, Wendy Lewis Armstrong, Jennifer Lowery, and Julie Sacco—were recognized for a combined 157 years of service across 23 rodeo committees.

The Saks Fifth Avenue fashion presentation, produced by Lenny Matuszewski and Tamara Klosz Bonar, delivered the oohs, the aahs, and yes, the cheers—particularly when male models strode down the runway. KHOU’s Mia Gradney steered the program with ease, joined by remarks from rodeo chair of the board Pat Mann Phillips, vice president Stacy Stidham Anderson, and trailblazer chairman Ann Massey. The invocation was delivered by president and CEO Chris Boleman.

When the final strut concluded, more than 1,000 revelers kept the momentum alive at an after-party where a DJ ensured the dance floor didn’t cool off before late afternoon.

On the scene in their Rodeo finest were Kirby Lodholz, Victoria Nelson, Katie Clapp, Courtney Adame, Tabbetha Lopez, Erin Jackson, Monica Guerra, Cindy Seligmann, Ellie and Michael Francisco, Cassie and Wesley Sinor, Brady and Zane Carruth, Melba Ervin, Juan and Isela Garcia, Jeff Hayes, Kelly Larkin, Roger and Fatemah Camp, Ray and Arlene Hinsley, Kristina Somerville, Cinthya Reade, Gretchen Gilliam, Jennifer Van Matre, Jamie Grissom, Diedra and Terrence Fontaine, Cyndy Garza Roberts, Sharleen Walkoviak, Lesha Elsenbrook, Brigitte Kalai, Kathleen and Tom Mach, Robin Young-Ellis, Meredith Johnson, Ryan and Jill Smith, Dustin and Susannah Causey, Ollabelle Hall, Carol Sawyer, Randi Boleman, Nicki Keenan, Julie Bass, Alicia Smith, Debbie Festari, Sally Flores, Laureen Boyer, Whitney Kuhn Lawson, Christina Greene, Julie Chen, Kathryn Smith, Heidi Turney, Peggy Hollis, Wayne Hollis, and Michelle Verbois.

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