World’s Biggest Rodeo Sets New Attendance Record

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo -- AKA RodeoHouston -- has ended its annual three week run, but not before setting a new attendance record. 

Nearly 2.2 million people attended the three-week event as of early Sunday, about 5 percent higher than last year's record-setting figures.

RodeoHouston President Leroy Shafer says he's at a loss for words to describe how great this year's rodeo was.

This year's rodeo cook-off attendance of more than 244,000 also broke last year's record of about 221,000.

Shafer credited good weather and spring breakers for the success.

"It rained one morning and it cleared off by 2 p.m.," he said. "Also, a lot of people aren't going to Cancun or wherever for their spring break this year, they're part of the rodeo and we're seeing that."

via Rodeo ends with attendance record, gate up 5% | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle.

The 2011 event featured roughly 300 exhibitors, more than 27,000 livestock and horse show entries and a total rodeo purse of about $1.5 million.