One of the largest livestock exhibitions and rodeos in the world is being shut down early amid the growing concerns over the spread of coronavirus, according to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.
The closure comes as Turner has declared a health emergency for Houston, which impacts the rodeo and a number of other events in the city.
As officials urged calm and common sense advice on preventing the spread of the illness during a Wednesday press conference, it may have come too late. The RodeoHouston BBQ on Feb. 28 was attended by the person that’s been identified as Montgomery County’s non-travel related coronavirus patient.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s closure is 11 days ahead of the March 22 finale.
“Having to close early is extremely difficult as guests, volunteers, exhibitors, rodeo athletes and entertainers look forward to the 20 days of the Rodeo each year,” according to a statement from rodeo officials. “We look forward to the 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to continue to promote agriculture, education, entertainment and Western heritage.”
The event draws millions of people from around the world and funds millions in scholarships every year. Despite the closure, rodeo officials said Wednesday that this year’s scholarships will be fulfilled.
“We are in a position to fulfill our annual contribution to youth and education,” Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo president and CEO Joel Cowley said.
While concert ticket refunds were being handled by StubHub, grounds and carnival refund details were still being determined.
Even before Turner made the announcement official, attendees told reporters the carnival rides were no longer allowing guests to board.
“I guess we’re going home,” one man said. “We just got here and we tried to get on some rides and they didn’t let us on.”
The decision to shut down the event was as sudden as it was historic and caught attendees off guard.
“These babies didn’t ride a single thing,” one mother said. “Facepaint and food is all they got. It’s their spring break and all I can do is say ‘I’m sorry.’ I wouldn’t have them out here if I was scared of what they’re scared of.”
While rides were shutting down before noon Wednesday, rodeo officials said the grounds would close at 4 p.m.
In the interest of public health, the City of Houston and the Houston Health Department have ordered the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ to close. The grounds will close at 4 pm More info >> https://t.co/jDO5pQEFhf pic.twitter.com/qL5KgjRnaE
— RODEOHOUSTON (@RODEOHOUSTON) March 11, 2020
