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Los Fresnos Rodeo 2019 Draws Big Crowds
- Updated: March 1, 2019
Bronc riding continues to be one of the most popular events at each year’s rodeo. Photo: Tony Vindell/LFN
by Tony Vindell/LFN
The 2019 Los Fresnos Rodeo is now history but the annual event will be one to remember.
Huge crowds were in attendance each of the three days of horse kicking and bull jumping sports as the cowboys tried their best to take the biggest purses.
The rodeo was held Feb. 15, 16 and 17. Sunday, which traditionally is the slowest day, was nearly as packed as during Friday and Saturday.
Thousands of people sat on the bleachers and several thousands more enjoyed the county livestock show, the carnival and other things.
Food vendors were in abundance, selling kettle popcorn, burgers, pulled pork, lemonade, turkey legs and many other type of foods.
Rodeo Committee directors Jerry Bruce and Carlos Salazar said this year’s event attracted the most people as they keep adding more attractions.
“I would say there were about 9,000 people nearly every day here,” Bruce said. “This rodeo keeps getting better and better.”
One thing they need to work more on is the issue with parking, they both said.
Members of Los Fresnos Rodeo committee board of directors. From left to right, Carlos Salazar, Mike Todd, Jerry Bruce, George Gomez, John Cardoza and Carl Macomb. Photo: Tony Vindell/LFN
Although the line of vehicles kept moving faster compared to previous rodeos, some people had to park their vehicle across the street – something which created a safety hazard and inconvenience to parents with little ones in strollers.
Dylan Wright gets “roped in” to this photo with lariat virtuoso and star Western performer Loop Rawlins. Photo: Dan Wright/LFN
But overall, the rodeo was another successful event.
Other than a few bumps here and there, no major accidents were reported during the three days, police and EMS personnel said.
A couple of cowboys were hit or stepped on by a bull or horse hoof and refused to be checked or taken by ambulance.
In the calf scramble a girl got scared by a four-legged critter but she did not sustain injuries.
On Sunday, or the last day of the rodeo, a near record crowd was in attendance and everybody seemed to enjoy the event on a day usually slower than others.
Mike Todd, the committee chairman, said earlier he was glad it was Sunday but little did he know that a big crowd was about to show up at the arena.
Rick Woods, a Massachusetts man, said this was his second time at the rodeo.
“We stay on South Padre Island and this is our second time here,” he said. “We always have a good time.
We don’t know of rodeos back home, you know.”
A crowd captured during Sunday’s rodeo. Photo: Tony Vindell/LFN