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Get ready for the biggest party in Texas, attracting almost 2 million visitors a year to the world's largest rodeo and livestock exhibition.

Also known as Rodeo Houston, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is so much more...

The three-week whoop-de-doo at Reliant Park also offers one the country's largest barbecue cook-offs, an exciting colorful Downtown parade (this year scheduled for Saturday, February 25, 2012), and entertainment spectaculars featuring the country's most popular music stars from February 28 - March 18, 2012.

How to get 2012 Houston Rodeo Tickets

Tickets go on sale in late October 2011 and are available at the Reliant Park Box office and online at www.rodeohouston.com. Tickets cover the cost of admission to Reliant Stadium, Reliant Arena, Reliant Center and the carnival with kids under two years of age admitted free.

Ticket prices range from the center of the action $300 chute area (located directly behind the bucking chutes) — to the popular action seats affording up-close views at $86 — to the far more affordable $18 "nosebleeds" in the upper level (bring the binoculars.)

2012 Houston Rodeo Star Concert Lineup & Schedule

In 2012 the entertainment schedule is again designed to be a crowd pleaser, with a hot ticket lineup that includes dates and performances by this year's A-list of rock, pop and country stars.

Late in 2011, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announced four of the 20 entertainment acts taking part in the 2012 event, including Brad Paisley, Big Time Rush, the Zac Brown Band, the veteran country music group Alabama.

Alabama is set to kick off the series with a live performance on Tuesday, February 28. Big Time Rush will perform Sunday, March 4.

Later, Zac Brown Band will take to the stage Monday, March 12 as part of Spring Break Stampede Week. Closing out the week will be country superstar Brad Paisley who will perform on Saturday, March 17. Just up ahead, here's the complete 2012 schedule:

Alabama (Feb. 28), Kid Rock (Feb. 29), Lady Antebellum (Mar. 1), John Legend Mar. 2-3), Big Time Rush (Mar. 4) Eli Young Band on (Mar. 5), Enrique Iglesias (Mar. 6), Blake Shelton (Mar. 7), ZZ Top (Mar. 8), Reba McEntire (Mar. 9), Chris Young (Mar. 10), Duelo, La Original Banda El Limon (Mar. 11), Zac Brown Band (Mar. 12), Miranda Lambert (Mar. 13), The Band Perry, (Mar. 14), Jason Aldean, (Mar. 15) Train, (Mar. 16), Brad Paisley, (Mar. 17), Alan Jackson on (Mar. 18)

Along with an array of performances by top stars, the main event remains Rodeo Houston - offering bareback and bronco riding, steer wrestling and roping competitions, and daredevil bull riding guaranteed to thrill.

Houston's population of 2 million also becomes part of the show, as they get into the the spirit of "Go Texan Day" (in 2012 it falls on Friday, February 24th), donning their best western wear, cowboy hats, and boots for the once-a-year celebration. Another major part of the pre-festivities is the World Championship Barb-B-Que Contest kicking off at Reliant Park that same weekend.

Getting to the rodeo

With visitors coming in from cities coast to coast, Houstoners are joined by thousands of tourists from more than 80 countries who want an authentic taste of "the real America." As a result, during the month of March the city becomes a united nations of visitors encouraged to take METRORail public transportation to the center of all the action, Reliant Park.

For those traveling by gas guzzler to the event (hey, this is oil-rich Texas, after all!) park and ride lots are available with express service to and from the Rodeo.

Future tentative dates for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo:

Feb. 26 - March 17, 2013
March 4 - March 23, 2014

More about the Houston Rodeo around the Web:

Rodeo Houston.com - The official site with ticket information, rodeo and entertainment schedule, photos, FAQ and historical information.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - Wikipedia - Great overview of the event with photos, information and lists of performers who have appeared throughout the years, along with lots of related references and resources.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - A review by Houston city guide including info on the rodeo competition, Downtown parade and more with contact details and related resources.

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