Special Days

Opening Day Activities:

 Belt Buckle Giveaway:

• Distribute at the following 4 locations:
  • Bud Light
  • Carnival Arena
  • Metro Rail
  • McNee

Opening Day Parade:

The parade will start at the contestant lot, go down McNee in front of the Center through Rodeo Plaza, around the Astrodome, back up Stadium Drive ending at the contestant lot. The parade will be approximately 45 minutes long and giveaways will be handed out.

Armed Forces Appreication Day Activities:

• Displays with representatives from all branches located on NRG Parkway near the Kroger gate as well as between NRG Stadium and NRG Astrodome.
• JROTC presentation by local high schools starting at 11 a.m. at the Junction Stage, presented by Woodside Energy that includes:
  • Cullen Middle School
  • Scarborough High School
  • Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center
• The Red, White and Blue Salute to the Military Ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. at the Junction Stage including the following:
  • National Anthem played by the “US Marine Corp Band”
  • A mass joint service swearing-in. Approximately 500 recruits will participate.
  • Flyover
• 25,000 red, white and blue Stadium glow stick giveaway
• National Anthem will be performed by Tracy Labrech
• Celebrating 50^th anniversary of Vietnam War Commemoration as well as celebrating the 250^th Anniversary of Army, Navy and Marines
• The U.S. Army Special Operations Command 7^th Special Forces Group located at Elgin Air Force Base in Florida will rappel inside the Stadium prior to the concert
• 2025 Honor Board

• The Junction | Available until 4 p.m.:
  • BOGO rides and games
  • McKinney Corn Dog 3 – Mini Corn Dog: $3
  • Kid Shack – Mini Popcorn: $3
  • Squeezer 4 – Small Sour Apple Lemonade: $3

• Select Commercial food vendors | Available until 4 p.m. :

*Available all day

Black Heritage Day Activites:

• Ag education lunch and learn 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. – The committee partners with PVAMU’s College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources and Extension Department and HISD’s Nutrition and Agriculture Department to expose middle school students to career paths in agriculture by participating in a nutrition and horticultural activity, talking to members of 4-H and college students about their experiences, aspirations and goals and taking a tour of AgVenture.
• Talent Showcase featuring elementary, middle and high school fine arts groups performing a Western themed show from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Junction Stage. We have almost 4,000 students participating this year.
• Black Heritage committee Corral featuring “History of the Black Cowboy Artifacts” as well as the committee’s history here at the Show located outside of Hall B in NRG Center from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Black Heritage exhibitors which are non-profit groups that serve the African American community will have informational displays outside of Hall B in NRG Center from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The organizations participating are:
  • National African American Quilt Guild
  • OTC Trailriders
  • Prairie View A&M University
  • Texas Southern University
  • Buffalo Soldiers Museum
  • Black Cowboy Museum
  • Prairie View Trailriders
  • Worthing High School
  • Healing with Serenity
  • University of Houston Department of African American Studies
• Step competition will be held on the Junction Stage from 2:30 – 4 p.m. consisting of representation from the Divine 9 Greek letter organizations
• Join us for line dancing at the Junction Stage at 4:15 p.m.
• National Anthem will be preformed by Sabrina Woodard
• Celebration of Historically Black College and University’s drumline performance with Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University prior to the concert inside NRG Stadium
• The Hideout entertainer is Lil Nate & the Zydeco Big Timers

First Responders Day Activities:

• The Junction Stage, presented by Woodside Energy:

• Several static displays on the grounds located by NRG Parkway including:
  • ATF (The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive) Mobile Command Vehicle
  • CVFD (Community Volunteer Fire Department) Ladder Truck
  • CVFD  Tactical medical rescue vehicle
  • CVFD Ambulance
  • SETRAC RCVQ (Mobile Command Center)
  • DPS (Department of Public Safety) Bearcat SWAT Vehicle
  • DPS Hellcat
  • HFD (Houston Fire Department) Ladder Truck
  • HPD (Houston Police Department) Display Helicopter
  • HCSO (Harris County Sheriff Office) SWAT ROOK
• First Responders Day ceremony at 4 p.m. in NRG Center in room 602. We honor our Line of Duty Deaths and celebrate our First Responders of the Year
• National Anthem will be performed by Patricia Williams, Adriane Veals and K’Yuana Nelson in NRG Stadium

Community Day Activities:

The same discounted rides, games and food/beverage on Family Wednesdays will be available on Community Day.

• The Junction | Available until 4 p.m.:
  • BOGO rides and games
  • McKinney Corn Dog 3 – Mini Corn Dog: $3
  • Kid Shack – Mini Popcorn: $3
  • Squeezer 4 – Small Sour Apple Lemonade: $3

• Select Commercial food vendors | Available until 4 p.m. :

*Available all day

Go Tejano Day Activities:

• Mariachi Invitational hosted Saturday night at Arena Theater at 7 p.m.; See more information here.
• Mariachi Invitational Semi Finals in the Hideout starting at 11 a.m.
• Mariachis Invitational Finals will be held inside NRG Stadium prior to the concert.
• Folkorico dancers at the Junction Stage at noon and at Miller Lite Ice House and Topo Chico Oasis at 2 p.m.
• Fiesta Charra will be held in NRG Center at 2 p.m.
• Grito Competition – NEW (Schedule TBD)
  • Kids and adults compete at the Junction Stage at 2:30 p.m.
  • Topo Chico Oasis at 3:30 p.m. (adults only)
  • Miller Lite Ice House at 4 p.m. (adults only)
  • Winners receive a sombrero and Miller product at the Oasis and Ice House
• Junction Stage will have entertainment starting at 11 a.m.
  • DJ Diablo 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Mexico Folklorico noon – 1 p.m.
  • Annexado – 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
  • Nortenos Internacional – 3 – 4 p.m.
  • Los Hermano Lara – 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
  • Grupo Vendangi – 6 -7 p.m.
• Hideout Entertainers will be:
  • DJ Rulow 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Seleccion 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Reafinado 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
  • Los Bohemios de Michoacan (Headliner) 10 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
• National anthem will be performed by Eduardo Antonio Trevino in NRG Stadium.