In 1949 The Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo began by a small group of businessmen to set Pasadena apart from the City of Houston.Little did they know the decades of impact their little group was about to start and make and how far they reached outside the boundaries of Pasadena they would reach.Not only did they start an organization that gave Pasadena a distinct brand of its own they also kept Houston from being able to annex Pasadena.
It started an organization that began to grow and produce leaders in the area, workers with skills and work ethics that would last them a lifetime and even public venues and events that last today.Back in the early years not only did the organization help students learn about agriculture, but they also helped students with scholarships and even in some cases to start businesses.
Although times have changed over the years, the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo is as relevant today as it was when it started and, in many ways, more needed today then back then.We keep the Cowboy Heritage alive in our area, we still offer scholarships and continuing education such as trade schools, we still help our community, and so much more.In fact, our community has greatly grown with us now covering Pasadena ISD, Deer Park ISD, La Porte ISD, Clear Creek ISD, and now adding Galena Park ISD and more coming.
We can help so many more students achieve their dreams now more than ever through the rodeo and we are adding facilities to be able to do even more.With the existing Ag Show barn, we currently have been able to help around 685 students a year with training and education opportunities and currently we are working on plans to double the size of our Ag Barn, which will greatly increase the number of students and school districts we can work with and help make our entire area a better community.The more students we can help learn responsibility, respect, ethics, honor, loyalty and truly the Cowboy way the better off we will all be.
I have been a part of many organizations, but I have never seen an organization that makes such an impact on such a large group of people as the Pasadena Livestock show and rodeo does with a minimal staff and all volunteers.I am truly honored to be a part of the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo and all that we as a volunteer group can do for our youth and community.I would like to encourage all of you to take a real look at what the association has accomplished over the years and where we are headed not only as an association but as a community and see what you can do to help us build a better tomorrow.
Jim Dutton