Cameron Country Livestock Show on Tap

by Tony Vindell/LFN

If watching cowboys and cowgirls competing in a rodeo arena does not attract your attention, there are other things to do next weekend during the 31st Los Fresnos Rodeo.

Area residents will also get the chance to attend the Cameron County Livestock Show & Fair which will mark its 40th anniversary.
In one section of the rodeo grounds, school students will be showing animals they have been preparing for the occasion in hopes of winning trophies for their dedication.

A set of judges will view their entries in a number of livestock categories.

The show animals will arrive on Thursday, Feb. 13. Anyone interested is welcome to go and watch.

Judging of these show creatures will start at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 14, including beef cattle, lambs, goats and market steers.

Judging of market hogs starts at 8:30 a.m. the next day and a peewee and old-timer showmanship will follow.

Show rabbits will be judged on Sunday and a livestock contest award will take place at 2 p.m.

In 2019, more than 500 livestock entries were submitted and a similar number is expected this year.

Valerie Arizmendi, the livestock show president, said the grand champion and reserved grand champion for each species get monetary awards, and numerous winners receive a jacket and a belt buckle.

Last year, the non-profit organization gave $10,000 in scholarships and another $10,000 in premium money.

Meanwhile, the county fair will take place just behind the arena to the east of the livestock showgrounds.

The fair is one of the Rio Grande Valley’s largest such events as it has been growing year after year.

Vendors there sell an array of merchandise and food for every taste.

Just last year, for example, thousands of people attended the fair and many of the vendors ran out of food.

Admission to the fair and livestock show is free but there is a $5 per vehicle parking fee.