Giddy Up

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo's staggeringly big impact on students

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo has grown into one of the city's largest, most prestigious single events, with approximately 1.5 million visitors entering the fairgrounds each year.

But in addition to all the fun times and tasty treats, the event generates millions of dollars to help local youth and students through scholarships, grants, endowments, auctions, a calf scramble program, and show premiums, all impacting more than 19,000 Texas youth annually.

More than a whopping $232 million has been generated since its inception, with more than 10,000 Texas college students having benefited from a Rodeo scholarship.

In 2020 alone, over 21,275 students were able to help further their educational and agricultural goals. Each year, about 550 new scholars are added to the scholarship program.

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Junior Livestock Show, the largest in the nation, has also seen record participation and strong growth in the Junior Agricultural Mechanics Show, Junior Shoot-Out, and many knowledge-based competitions including agricultural public speaking, judging competitions, and Skillathons.

The Junior Livestock Auction alone had sales totaling more than $6.3 million in 2020, and $4.9 million in 2021.

All of this wouldn't be possible without the more than 6,000 volunteers who give countless hours to the nonprofit organization.

They help with the tens of thousands of exhibitors in livestock and horse shows, and with spaces such as the International Room, which welcomed nearly 2,300 guests from 107 different countries in 2020.

Volunteers also help make the School Tours program possible, where kindergarten through third grade students are guided around the fairgrounds by local 4-H and FFA high school tour guides. More than 15,000 students have participated in School Tours, meaning that thousands of new, young fans are introduced to the Stock Show & Rodeo by their peers.

This year's 73rd annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is scheduled for February 10-27, 2022. See the schedule and buy your tickets here.

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo impacts more than 19,000 Texas youth annually.

Youth Rodeo

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo impacts more than 19,000 Texas youth annually.

promoted rodeo video

State Fair News

How to get every possible discount at the 2023 State Fair of Texas

Big Tex at the State Fair of Texas

Courtesy photo

Big Tex doesn't want you pay full price at the State Fair.

The 2023 State Fair of Texas starts its 24-day run at Fair Park in Dallas on September 29, bringing with it music, games, food, and more.

But there are a multitude of discount ticket options offered by the State Fair and other groups, meaning there's no reason you should ever pay full price.

Single day ticket prices differ by the day, going for $15 for adults, $10 for kids 3-12 and seniors 60 and over Monday-Thursday; $20 for adults, $15 for kids 3-12 and seniors 60 and over on Fridays; and $25 for adults, $18 for kids 3-12 and seniors 60 and over on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are only valid for a pre-selected date. You can get $10 tickets on Tuesdays and Thursdays by using the code 23CULTUREMAP.

Premium one-day admission, valid any day of the Fair, are $24 and allow you to choose the day you want to attend. The most flexible ticket option is available for purchase exclusively online at BigTex.com/Tickets.

Two and four-pack combos for premium tickets with Food and Midway coupons are also available, starting at less than $100. You can get $15 off the two-pack combo or $30 off the four-pack combo by using the special CultureMap code 23MAPPACK.

SEASON PASS
One of the best ways to save is by purchasing a State Fair of Texas Season Pass. Available online at BigTex.com/Tickets for only $50, season passes include admission for all 24 days, as well as a variety of special benefits, like one free single-day bring-a-friend ticket (valid Monday-Friday only); a State Fair reusable bag (available to the first 5,000 season pass holders to redeem) a 10 percent off coupon on State Fair gear at official merchandise stores; and more.

Opening Day – Friday, September 29
Bring two jars of peanut butter to donate to the North Texas Food Bank for a special promotion and receive $10 admission at the gate.

Dr Pepper Value Days
Taking place every Tuesday and Thursday of the Fair, you can purchase admission online for a reduced price of only $10 on Dr Pepper Value Days. Fairgoers must be a Big Tex Insider to receive the promotion code, sign up now at BigTex.com/Insider.

North Texas Food Bank, Feed the Need
Every Wednesday of the Fair, visitors have the best discount opportunity to save big AND give back to the community. By bringing five canned food items, fairgoers will receive admission for only $5. All canned donations go to the North Texas Food Bank, which helps feed members of the community.

Senior Day
Every Thursday, senior citizens 60 years and older receive admission to the Fair for only $5.

Discount after 5 pm
On any night of the week, visitors receive reduced general admission after 5 pm. No matter your age, all guests pay the child price after 5 pm.

McDonald's coupons
Discount coupons are available at participating McDonald’s locations throughout North Texas on tray liners and inside their meal bags. With this coupon, any fairgoer can save $5 off on weekdays (Monday-Friday) and $7 off on weekends (Saturday-Sunday).

DART Discount
In addition to being able to use the GoPass app to take DART right to the front gates of Fair Park, guests can receive $5 off fair admission Monday-Friday, or $7 off on Saturdays and Sundays, by using the promo code 23DART when purchasing tickets on the State Fair website.

Military Appreciation Day presented by Chevrolet
All active military, retired military, and veterans save $5 off on weekdays (Monday-Friday) and $7 off on weekends (Saturday-Sunday) when they present valid documentation of military service at the gate or online. Spouses of service men and women with a valid Military Spouse ID and accompanying children under the age of 18 also receive discounted admission.

First Responders Discount
The State Fair is thanking the country’s first responders by honoring various active and retired public law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency services agencies. All first responders can save $5 off on weekdays (Monday-Friday) and $7 off on weekends (Saturday-Sunday) when they present a valid badge or ID card from their department or organization at the gate or online. Spouses of first responders and accompanying children under the age of 18 also receive discounted admission.

4-Coupon Tuesdays
Discounts extend to the Midway for 4-Coupon Tuesdays. Most rides on the Midway are 4 coupons, with Kiddie rides discounted to 3 coupons on Tuesdays. Excludes the Thrillway and the Texas Star Ferris Wheel.

Thrifty Thursday Discounted Food Program
Every Thursday of the Fair, guests can save while snacking, as participating food vendors offer one of their signature menu items at a reduced price, ranging from mini versions to regular-size items.

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