Los Fresnos News

Pandemic bucks off Los Fresnos 2021 Rodeo

The thrilling “The Biggest Little Rodeo in Texas,” has been canceled for 2021 due to the pandemic. Photo: Tony Vindell / LFN

by TONY VINDELL
LFN

After a discussion about the impact the coronavirus has had on nearly every aspect of today’s life, the Los Fresnos Rodeo Committee agreed to call off the 2021 bull- and bronco-riding event that has attracted thousands of spectators year after year.

The committee met on Tuesday, Nov. 17 and came to the painful decision not to have the annual rodeo because of the virus afflicting not only this region of the country but the whole nation as well.

Mark Milum, the committee chairman, said it was not an easy decision to make.

However, after considering the current health situation, it was for the best interest of the organizers and the public not to have the 32nd annual rodeo that is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

“If we were to have the rodeo we would have to limit the number of people attending it,” he said. “We would have to limit admission by more than a half.”

Fans of Los Fresnos Rodeo will have to wait until 2022 for the annual event. Photo: Tony Vindell / LFN

An average of 4,000 people have been attending the event but by doing so, admission would have to be reduced by some 1,500 attendees.

Milum said they have looked at all the events that have been cancelled because of the pandemic, including all of this year’s Fourth of July celebrations, the Conjunto Festival here and next year’s Brownsville Charro Days.

The rodeo has been held along with the Cameron County Fair and Livestock Show.

Milum said there will be some kind of activity to recognize the hundreds of area students that participate in work and enter show animals at the livestock event.

The cancellation of the annual rodeo marks the first time it has happened since the first rodeo was held 31 years ago.

As everyone knows, the number of people infected by the virus has been going up all over the country, including the entire Rio Grande Valley.