The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Is A Sight To Behold (Photos)

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) is a 20-day extravaganza that has been a staple of the Houston cultural scene for more than 80 years. After being held at the venerable Houston Astrodome for nearly 40 of those years, the largest of its kind event moved next door to Reliant Stadium in 2003. Reliant Stadium is the retractable roof home venue of the AFC South champion Houston Texans.

Every year, more than two million attendees pay a visit to the bevy of HLSR festivities (many of which take place on the surrounding grounds of Reliant Park), including multiple parades and athletic events, food and beverage competitions, carnivals, pig races, livestock evaluations, retail opportunities and a nightly array of big name concert performers. Marquee names such as Mary J. Blige, Demi Lovato, Lady Antebellum, Bruno Mars, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Pitbull and Blake Shelton are among the headliners of this year's affair.

RodeoHouston, the world's wealthiest regular season rodeo event, serves as one of the signature happenings of the HLSR. This portion of the party generates roughly half of the total attendance for the nearly three-week-long gala.

Below are a series of photos, captured by an iFolloSports.com contributor, during last Tuesday night.

Exterior of the 71,000-seat football stadium, which also features a permanent service area for livestock housing, used annually during the HLSR.

The “Spirit of the Bull” sculptures, positioned near the entrance to Reliant Stadium.

“Ride 'em Pony Stick Horse,” available for purchase in the concourse area.

The view of RodeoHouston from seats above one of the football end zones.

View of that evening's concert, performed by country star Gary Allan. The transformation from rodeo to music venue is remarkably quick.