What brings us together as a community? If you live in Southeast Harris County, the answer is easy: the Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo (PLS&R). More than an event, the Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo is a charitable, educational, and scientifically focused organization that supports youth and the community while preserving Texas cowboy heritage. For 75 years, this vibrant organization has been hosting entertaining and educational livestock shows and rodeos that remind us of the importance of family and faith while welcoming everyone to the joy of being at the Rodeo.
“Pasadena Rodeo is not just an organization,” says Clint Castellow, President of the Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo, “it’s a group of more than 1,300 volunteers who care about our families and our communities”
Over its rich 75-year history, the PLS&R has always put these values first. Not only has the Rodeo donated millions to the city of Pasadena, but the organization has given more than $22,000,000 in combined scholarships and support to students across Southeast Harris County. All the while, the PLS&R remains true to its core values of good business ethics, independence, compassion, and integrity.
Pasadena Rodeo is not just an organization, it’s a group of more than 1,300 volunteers who care about our families and our communities.
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1949 - Pasadena Rodeo is Founded
The Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo consistently draws some of country music’s hottest stars, including Brooks & Dunn, Gary Stewart, Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker, Mickey Gilley, Johnny Lee, the Bellamy Brothers, Cody Johnson, Earl Thomas Conley, Eddy Raven, Eddie Rabbitt, Little Big Town, Chris LeDoux, Trace Adkins, Tracy Byrd, Mark Chesnutt , Parker McCullom ,Tracy Lawrence along with many others.
2023 – The Future of the Pasadena Rodeo Begins
By StoryStudio on April 17, 2024
Sponsored by Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo
- Clint Castellow, President of the Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo
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Pasadena Rodeo is not just an organization, it’s a group of more than 1,300 volunteers who care about our families and our communities.
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Sponsored by
Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo
Joel English, a commercial real estate agent whose great-grandfather, John A. Campbell, was one of the founders of the PLS&R, knows the importance of carrying on the organization’s legacy firsthand.
“My great grandfather John Campbell taught me the importance of hard work and giving back to our youth,” English remembers. “Today, I want to help these kids because they may be just like my great grandfather who had a tough early life but overcame adversity. This is why the Pasadena Rodeo is so important to this community.”
From its humble beginnings in the 1940s to hosting world-famous performers like Willie Nelson, the PLS&R has had some monumental achievements. Here are some historical highlights that came to define it.
In the late 1940s, post-war America is on the verge of drastic economic changes. A group of ag-minded businessmen in Pasadena, TX decided to start the Pasadena Rodeo. Their mission was simple: to bring the citizens of Pasadena together, offer opportunities for the community youth, and preserve the lifestyle and moral convictions of an agricultural era that was quickly passing.
1950 - Inaugural Pasadena Livestock & Rodeo Is Held
On October 16th, 1950, the 1st Annual Pasadena Livestock & Rodeo delights Pasadena citizens with its first parade, free ice cream, eight bands, several decorated floats, and 200 cowboys and cowgirls.
Ross Kelley, M.L. Delahoussaye, and John A. Campbell borrowed $40,000.00 to help finance it. The Pasadena Rodeo’s stated mission is clear: to use proceeds to set up scholarships or loan funds for worthy and needy students who wish to attend college.
Over the event’s four days, nearly 5,000 people attend, equivalent to half the town’s population.
1974 – Pasadena Rodeo donates $500,000 to the city of Pasadena, the equivalent of over $3 million today!
The donation is the first of many to promote and maintain agricultural research and educational functions in Southeast Harris County in accordance with their mission to bring the community together as one working unit.
1978 – Pasadena Exhibit Building and Arena Dedicated to Pasadena Rodeo Founders
Just before the organization celebrated its 29th annual livestock show and rodeo, Pasadena Mayor John Ray Harrison dedicated the city’s exhibition building to Pasadena Rodeo founder John A. Campbell and the rodeo arena to founder Ross Kelley. The rodeo sells out, raising nearly $30,000.
1989 – Pasadena Rodeo donates another $300,000 to the city of Pasadena
1998 – Roof Added to the Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo + $2.2 mil Donation
The building project represents the lasting partnership between the Rodeo and the city of Pasadena. Still, the Rodeo continues to give back, donating a further $2.2 million to the city. Guests of the ’98 Livestock Show & Rodeo include evangelist Billy Graham and Mickey Gilley.
The Pasadena Rodeo Over the Years
Last year, the PLS&R began its campaign to build a new Agricultural Building. This new Ag Barn will be twice the size of the existing facility allowing the PLS&R to expand the Livestock Show to serve more students and school districts in a larger, improved facility.
The PLS&R is awarding scholarships to students from over a dozen area high schools. These scholarships may be used to pay for tuition, related fees, and books while attending university, two-year colleges, or technical trade schools.
For President Castellow, and the thirteen hundred volunteers who work tirelessly to make sure every event is special, the future of the Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo remains crucial to the community.
“We live in a world that has forgotten much of what we learned from those who came before us,” says President Castellow. “Pasadena Rodeo is one organization that will never forget our roots, our values, and our thankfulness for the many blessings God has provided. But we can’t do it without you, or the community.”
Celebrate the Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo’s history at one of the many upcoming events and learn more at pasadenarodeo.com.
1949 - Pasadena Rodeo is Founded
In the late 1940s, post-war America is on the verge of drastic economic changes. A group of ag-minded businessmen in Pasadena, TX decided to start the Pasadena Rodeo. Their mission was simple: to bring the citizens of Pasadena together, offer opportunities for the community youth, and preserve the lifestyle and moral convictions of an agricultural era that was quickly passing.
In the late 1940s, post-war America is on the verge of drastic economic changes. A group of ag-minded businessmen in Pasadena, TX decided to start the Pasadena Rodeo. Their mission was simple: to bring the citizens of Pasadena together, offer opportunities for the community youth, and preserve the lifestyle and moral convictions of an agricultural era that was quickly passing.
1949 - Pasadena Rodeo is Founded
In the late 1940s, post-war America is on the verge of drastic economic changes. A group of ag-minded businessmen in Pasadena, TX decided to start the Pasadena Rodeo. Their mission was simple: to bring the citizens of Pasadena together, offer opportunities for the community youth, and preserve the lifestyle and moral convictions of an agricultural era that was quickly passing.
1950 - Inaugural Pasadena Livestock & Rodeo Is Held
1974 – Pasadena Rodeo donates $500,000 to the city of Pasadena, the equivalent of over $3 million today!
1989 – Pasadena Rodeo donates another $300,000 to the city of Pasadena
The donation is the first of many to promote and maintain agricultural research and educational functions in Southeast Harris County in accordance with their mission to bring the community together as one working unit.
Just before the organization celebrated its 29th annual livestock show and rodeo, Pasadena Mayor John Ray Harrison dedicated the city’s exhibition building to Pasadena Rodeo founder John A. Campbell and the rodeo arena to founder Ross Kelley. The rodeo sells out, raising nearly $30,000.
1978 – Pasadena Exhibit Building and Arena Dedicated to Pasadena Rodeo Founders
The building project represents the lasting partnership between the Rodeo and the city of Pasadena. Still, the Rodeo continues to give back, donating a further $2.2 million to the city. Guests of the ’98 Livestock Show & Rodeo include evangelist Billy Graham and Mickey Gilley.
1998 – Roof Added to the Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo + $2.2 mil Donation
Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo Celebrates 75 Years of Giving Back