The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Showgrounds (RGVLS) in Mercedes are going to be full of animals, people, food vendors, and more as they open their doors this week. The RGVLS celebrates 84 years this year. The events start on March the 9th and run through March 19th.
The event, supporting youth education and highlighting the Valley’s agriculture and students that participate in growing animals, will feature rodeos, concerts, exhibits, and discount days.
What started as an event on the grounds of a local livestock sales yard with makeshift pens, and then to its current location with tents, has grown to a place with permanent buildings located on over 100 acres.
Senior discount day will be held on Sunday, March 12. All senior citizens (55+), law enforcement and military, will get discounted tickets at $5.
Other discount days include Thursday, March 9, Carnival Dollar Day – all rides are $1; Friday, March 10 is Buddy Day at the carnival, purchase one armband ($30) and get the second one for free; Tuesday, March 14 is Cantastic Tuesday – armbands are $20 with four cans of food that will benefit the Food Bank of the RGV; and Sunday, March 19 will be the Last Blast Sunday with armbands at $20.
On Saturday, March 11, there will be the RGVLS Parade that will be held along Texas Ave. in Mercedes. It will begin at 10 a.m.
The music lineup includes Hayden Baker, March 9th; Rick Trevino, March 10th; David Farias Band, March 11th, The Spazmatics on March 12th; Giovannie and the Hired Hands, March 13th; Thunderstruck America’s AC/DC, March 14th; Dale Watson on March 15th; Tyler Braden, March 16th; Bohemian Queen, March 17th; Jay Perez, March 18th; and The Horseman Jam on March 19th. All concerts are free with your paid gate admission.
The PRCA rodeo nights will be held at 7 p.m. March 11, 16, 17, and 18. There will be a PRCA Xtreme Bull Riding on Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the rodeos are sold separately.
The event opens at 10 a.m. on most days, with 9 a.m. openings on a few days. Festivities conclude at midnight each night.
While on the grounds, you can’t forget to enjoy the concessions and little shops that will be throughout the grounds and inside the main hall.
While there are plenty of animals to be seen, there is also an art and photography exhibit and others throughout the grounds.
For the full schedule of events and concerts, or to purchase rodeo tickets ahead of time, visit www.rgvls.com. You can also find up to date information on their Facebook page.
