Fiesta vs Mardi Gras vs Rodeo vs Stock Show vs SXSW vs Texas State Fair (Houston: college, living)

[malcorub16]

Originally Posted by atadytic19

I think SXSW stands above the rest in national recognition, but like Malcorub16 I chose the Rodeo as it is a more broadly, stereotypically Texan signature event

Yes, the rest are all quintessential Texas. I couldn't see them happening anywhere else.

SXSW, however, could essentially be held in New York, California or Seattle and it would be basically the same thing.

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Originally Posted by malcorub16

Yes, the rest are all quintessential Texas. I couldn't see them happening anywhere else.

SXSW, however, could essentially be held in New York, California or Seattle and it would be basically the same thing.

The rest except Mardi Gras

[malcorub16]

^ ah, true!

[TheOverdog]

Every state has a fair, and Texas' isn't that different. Many other state fairs have better (and by better I mean more contemporary or currently famous) musical artists, are cheaper, and the actual attendance is questionable due to the cartel that runs the TX State Fair - but some might even have larger attendance.



Many states also have rodeos. Back when I knew people who showed actual animals, the Houston Stock Show and Rodeo wasn't particularly anything out the ordinary. San Antonio and Ft Worth were equally as big a deal.



I've only heard about Fiesta in San Antonio on TV, even though I grew up close by.

[Dopo]

I think is funny that Houston brags about having the biggest rodeo/fair.

The best fairs I've been to have been in small towns of 20k people.
I even liked the one in Conroe better than the one in Houston.

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Originally Posted by Dopo

I think is funny that Houston brags about having the biggest rodeo/fair.

The best fairs I've been to have been in small towns of 20k people.
I even liked the one in Conroe better than the one in Houston.

You’re confusing the rodeo with the state fair

[Trainwreck20]

Hmm...the ranking says 'signature' event. Signature for who, I guess? People in state, or visitors from out of state?

But then the first post says "respective city’s signature events rank against each other". That is a different question, really.

The State Fair and the Houston Rodeo are great events, but they have parallels in many other states. While they have unique aspects to them, I don't think they are uniquely Texas.

While I Much prefer Mardi Gras (Galveston) to Mardi Gras (New Orleans) for a variety of reasons, people outside of TX likely do not know if exists and even Texans will (best case) ask which MG you are referring to if you do not explicitly say. Honestly, Dickens on the Strand is a better uniquely Galveston thing.

The Stock Show in FW and SXSW in Austin both are known internationally (my European co-workers really are into the 'old west') and are more unique.

I think Fiesta SA is also unique but not nearly as widely known, for whatever reason.

Now, given a choice of one event, I would pick the State Fair during UT/OU weekend, but that is just me .

[Johnhw222]

Houston rodeo especially the trail rides leading up to the parade to the rodeo site. I recall a Massachusetts guy and his wife in Houston their first day for his new job in Houston. His wife looks out and sees horses being ridden near downtown Houston and she thought my gosh I head no idea they still rode those to work.

[katygirl68]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

There was previously a Rodeo vs State Fair poll.

This time around, I thought it would be interesting to see how these events, which are their respective city’s signature events rank against eachother.

Fiesta San Antonio
Mardi Gras - Galveston
Rodeo - Houston
South by Southwest - Austin
Stock Show - Fort Worth
Texas State Fair - Dallas

I had to vote rodeo since I've only ever been to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I did go to Cow Town stock show once but it was just a ride around the corral and not much more than a tourist attraction. I went to Galveston once while Mardi Gras was happening but it wasn't a big event so I couldn't judge what it was like.

Never been to the State Fair, and never heard of Fiesta. Now I'm intrigued.

[katygirl68]

I forgot to mention SXSW. It used to be awesome when it first started. Very quintessentially Austin. You could buy tickets and go to like 20 live shows for a few dollars. That was cool. But then the word got out and it became very corporate Hollywood, and now I couldn't afford to go even if I wanted to.