Rodeo Austin — Attraction in Manor

Do not volunteer….I have been volunteering for 3 years at rodeo Austin. We go to a meeting once a year before the start of the Rodeo to pick up our badge and parking pass. We were told that RA has lost 19 volunteers from last year, I wonder why. Well today RA lost another one. Here is what we are told to enforce working the arena. “We have been asked to be more cognizant of who is allowed into the arena with badges. People can no longer flash any badge to get into the arena. If their badge does not allow arena access (our badges are for Fairgrounds only) we must stop them and ask about their purpose in the arena, if they say they are working, then they need to check in at the Volunteer Shack to pick up their vest. If the Shack is closed, we must radio David Mason, Steve Summers or Tia Miller to come meet with the individual(s). Children of volunteers cannot use their parent's badge to enter the arena. There will be charts at each entrance of this year's badges and where they are allowed to go.” I was working an entrance there was not charts stating where they are allowed to go. At one time you may have 20 to 30 people trying to get in the entrance. My partner was scanning tickets and I was stamping left hands, well here comes a quote un quote higher up volunteer wanting to walk in I thought my partner scanned his ticket so I stamped his hand. He started yelling at me that he did not need his hand stamped. I said sorry but he keeps on yelling about who he is on the rodeo committee. I don’t care who he was no one needs to be talked down too. He keeps on yelling for 30 seconds or so, with people backing up at the door. It was a stamp on the hand what’s the big deal. Finely, I told him F. U. and move on. Even my partner backed me up. Well, he got a little butt hurt and when and had a hissy fit. And told the person I report to and they asked me to leave, Hey no problem. I am a VOLUNTEER and 65 years old; I don’t need to be talked down too or berated. I have volunteered at many of organizations and have never had a problem with patron or volunteers. Maybe this is why A R is lousing volunteers. Good luck R A at least for the...

The ONLY reason it got 2 stars is that I really like the rodeo and the venue is ok. That said, here's my problems. Non-profit ??????? I call BS, BIG TIME !!!! We arrived at 6pm Saturday and was told that the Kevin Fowler concert after the rodeo was "Standing room only" so they HAD to charge us $40 a ticket. BIG B.S. !!! That's the same price that they charge for GOOD seats. I have pictures of ALL the empty seats inside and IF the women at the ticket stand would have sold us THOSE tickets, we could have got them for $20 each. Secondly, $7 for a BEER ?????? Holy CRAP !!!!! That's big city prices for a rodeo. Now, I understand the venue mark up, I really do. But $7 bucks !!!??? and they're not making a profit?????? Another instance of B.S. !!! And yet another instance, $10 to park !!! AND, we had to walk a half mile !!! That is A LOT of money for ALL that space that wasn't going to be used for anything anyway !!! For the 3 of us, we spent $151 just walking in and getting a beer !!! There's the food, of course, but I get that part. AND, it was pretty tasty !! The rides are pretty high at $4-$5-$6 a ride but we only went on 1, so no REAL gripe there. Now comes the problem of left over tokens !!! They WILL NOT buy them back, NO WAY, NO HOW !!!! I believe that the reason they make you get the tokens is that they are in control of that money that goes into the token machines and they will make A BUNDLE on the unused tokens that are never spent !!!! They got me for only 1 but there's not a DAMN thing that they sell for only 1 token, I checked. And what are the chances that they will honor it next year, IF I can still find it !!! So, rodeo people, tell me PLEASE, How's a regular family supposed to go and...

March 2024

BBQ Austin is part of the festivities for Rodeo Austin but occurs a week before. BBQ pitmasters compete in challenges but also share their BBQ to the public in return to help raise money for charities.

There are two public entrances for general parking so traffic backs up and recommend arriving early. To help the staff check you in it is better to purchase both parking and admission online on the Rodeo Austin website before arriving here. Make sure to wear either comfortable shoes or boots where you will be doing a lot of walking mostly on gravel.

The BBQ Austin grounds has a lot of tents and pits but there is another separate section for the carnival (admission included with BBQ Austin). You cannot take alcohol into the carnival side. I encourage to bring a lot of cash for when you are provided drinks (non and alcoholic) and food you are encouraged to drop money in a bucket for charity. Seems like all had QR codes but I could not scan then using either Cash App or Venmo. I was able to get some samples of chicken, sausage, brisket, pork, and crawfish. The food was really good and many tents have live music with well known Texas country artists.

You can spend the whole day drinking and sampling food over course the day. But you can also go into the carnival where you can purchase hamburgers, turkey legs, chicken on a stick and other carnival style foods. To ride the carnival rides you can buy wristbands and the carnival games accept cash. There is also a petting zoo.

Overall an outdoor activity with beer, music and food unlike next week where everyone heads indoors for the...