AUSTIN, Texas — Boots, brisket, and a whole lot of Texas tradition are back as Rodeo Austin gears up for another exciting year of rodeo action, live entertainment, and family-friendly events.

Rick Lange, president of Rodeo Austin, sat down with Sierra Waggoner on We Are Austin to share what the community can expect as the beloved event returns.

Rick Lange, president of Rodeo Austin, sat down with Sierra Waggoner on We Are Austin to share what the community can expect as the beloved event returns.

Rick Lange, president of Rodeo Austin, sat down with Sierra Waggoner on We Are Austin to share what the community can expect as the beloved event returns.

“There’s just so much going on this year,” Lange said. “Rodeo Austin is all about bringing the community together for great entertainment, great food, and a lot of Texas tradition.”

{p}Looking ahead to the full rodeo experience, families can expect carnival rides, livestock shows, shopping, games, and plenty of interactive activities throughout the fairgrounds.{/p}

Looking ahead to the full rodeo experience, families can expect carnival rides, livestock shows, shopping, games, and plenty of interactive activities throughout the fairgrounds.

One of the first traditions kicking off the festivities is Cowboy Breakfast, a longtime community favorite that brings Austinites together bright and early to celebrate the start of rodeo season with free food, music, and plenty of Western spirit.

“Cowboy Breakfast is going to be a lot of fun,” Lange said. “We’ll have free breakfast, free parking, entertainment for the kids, trick roping, and a petting zoo. The food is absolutely great, and we’ll also have some live music. There are just a lot of activities for families to enjoy.”

Food lovers will also want to mark their calendars for BBQ Austin, where pitmasters compete while guests enjoy mouthwatering barbecue, live entertainment, and a lively atmosphere that celebrates one of Texas’ most beloved culinary traditions.

“BBQ Austin starts on the sixth and runs through the seventh,” Lange said. “We’ll have about 270 teams competing with entries like brisket, sausage, chicken, and ribs as they go for the Rodeo Austin BBQ championship. These teams set up tents, and there’s food, drinks, and live music all over the grounds — there’s just so much to do.”

Another fan-favorite event, Kick Open the Chutes, officially launches the rodeo celebration and sets the stage for the week ahead with music, energy, and plenty of excitement.

“Kick Open the Chutes starts it all off on Friday night,” Lange said. “It’s basically extreme bull riding. We’ll have 40 rough-ranked bulls and 40 cowboys trying to ride them. It’s fast-paced, exciting, and a great event for the whole family — kids absolutely love it.”

{p}And of course, each night features the thrilling ProRodeo competitions followed by live concerts on the dirt, bringing together world-class rodeo athletes and top musical performers.{/p}

And of course, each night features the thrilling ProRodeo competitions followed by live concerts on the dirt, bringing together world-class rodeo athletes and top musical performers.

Looking ahead to the full rodeo experience, families can expect carnival rides, livestock shows, shopping, games, and plenty of interactive activities throughout the fairgrounds.

“The carnival opens at 4 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday,” Lange said.

Boots, brisket, and a whole lot of Texas tradition are back as Rodeo Austin gears up for another exciting year of rodeo action, live entertainment, and family-friendly events.

Boots, brisket, and a whole lot of Texas tradition are back as Rodeo Austin gears up for another exciting year of rodeo action, live entertainment, and family-friendly events.

{p}Looking ahead to the full rodeo experience, families can expect carnival rides, livestock shows, shopping, games, and plenty of interactive activities throughout the fairgrounds.{/p}

Looking ahead to the full rodeo experience, families can expect carnival rides, livestock shows, shopping, games, and plenty of interactive activities throughout the fairgrounds.

“We’ll also have ag mechanics competitions that weekend, where students build incredible projects like trailers and barbecue pits. These kids do an amazing job. We’ll have about 500 entries of different projects on display, and we’ll also host the preliminary rounds of the calf scramble.”

For tickets, schedules, and the full lineup of events, visit the Rodeo Austin website online.

For tickets, schedules, and the full lineup of events, visit the Rodeo Austin website online.

Beyond the entertainment, Rodeo Austin is deeply rooted in a mission of supporting Texas youth through scholarships and educational opportunities, with many events helping fund programs that benefit students across the state.

Rodeo Austin runs March 13 through March 28. For tickets, schedules, and the full lineup of events, visit rodeoaustin.com for all the details and family fun.

Rodeo Austin runs March 13 through March 28. For tickets, schedules, and the full lineup of events, visit rodeoaustin.com for all the details and family fun.

Rodeo Austin runs March 13 through March 28. For tickets, schedules, and the full lineup of events, visit rodeoaustin.com for all the details and family fun.