I’m taking a family road trip for two weeks starting June 21 that will include stops in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. I want to do a lot of “western” stuff, and one of the things on that list is to attend a rodeo. Unfortunately, the only one I see in my AAA tour book is the Mesquite Rodeo, which only operates on Friday nights and Saturday nights - not good show times for an Orthodox Jewish family to attend. Does anyone know of any place in those states (I know Texas is huge, we’ll mainly be in the corridor that leads from OKC to Dallas to Houston and then onward to New Orleans, but we’d deviate from that course within reason) where a rodeo might be held on weeknights or Sunday? Any state/county/regional fairs happening where there might be rodeo involved?
On a related note, can any of you tell me about the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City? As in, is it all static exhibits that will leave little kids bored, or are there interactive or immersive exhibits that will engage their interest? In a similar vein, we’re also considering the Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, and the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan, OK. Comments from anyone who’s visited these places and can recommend/un-recommend/compare them would be greatly appreciated.
Looks like there’s the West of the Pecos rodeo from the 24th through the 27th in Pecos, but it looks like the better part of a day’s drive out of your way.
“On a related note, can any of you tell me about the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City”
Haven’t been there in many years (I live in Tulsa). Here is a list of galleries that includes a “Children’s Cowboy Corral” where the lil pardners can do stuff. From the description :
Other than this, it is static displays, more or less. They used to have chuckwagon barbecues on the weekends, as far as I can tell, that’s no longer true.
Here is an IPRA rodeo in Pauls Valley, just off I-35 south of OKC. It’s on Thur 6/25-7 from 8PM - 10:30PM.
Here is the International Finals Youth Rodeo, held in Shawnee from Jul 05, 2015 to Jul 10, 2015. (Shawnee is about 30 miles east of I-35 just south of I-40.)
That’s about it for OK close to your timeframe and along your route.
The Cowboy Hall of Fame is surprisingly fun, and does have some things kids would enjoy. Definitely worth a stop if you’re interested in Western stuff - some great art, a replica town that’s fun to go through, and a kid’s area (not having kids I didn’t linger there long, but it seemed like fun).
I suggest you also look at the Chickasaw Cultural Center. It’s off I-35 and on your way from OKC to Dallas. I haven’t been yet but I hear fantastic things about it.
You probably know this, but kosher restaurants are not really options in this part of the country. OKC does have one or two halal places, but I haven’t been there and have no idea how the food is.
Also, plan on it being really hot and humid. Oklahoma and Texas have gotten a lot of rain, so in addition to the usual high temps it will be really muggy.
Thanks for the links - the Pauls Valley one looks perfect for us.
liirogue:
I’ll check into that, thanks.
Yeah, we usually bring our own food in a cooler when we take road trips.
I have been expecting hot. I’ve heard there’s been some pretty nasty weather around those parts lately, should I be overly concerned about tornado outbreaks or similarly destructive storms? Do the local weathermen say that things are likely to get better soon? We’ve experienced a tornado seven years ago in Omaha, we were in a building and got into the basement just fine.
Johnny L.A.:
It’s actually not. I’ve been (with my wife and my oldest child) at the Cody Nite Rodeo 18 years ago. (Though I have a feeling you’re making some pop culture reference that I don’t recognze.) For the majority of my kids it’ll be their first.
The nasty weather was mostly heavy rains and consequent flooding, esp in Texas. This was due to the jet stream being parked over our region throughout May, bringing rainstorm after rainstorm. It has since moved up north, where it tends to reside during the summer months. Commonly, a high-pressure ridge forms over our region during those months, precluding much development of storms here.
Things have quieted down here now, as well as in Texas. Tornadoes can and do form any time of the year, but they are most prevalent here in April and May. You should be okay in this regard.
I just wanted to add that “This is not my first rodeo” is a saying out here (and points west) to indicate that the speaker has had experience (usually extensive) with whatever the task at hand might be.
Being a redneck, yeah I found the cowboy museum pretty awesome. I havent been back in about 7 years but I believe they had some kid stuff.
But there is alot of stuff for adults like Frederick Remington art and a section about saluting western tv and movies which kids might not get the reference. I’m sure your kids have never heard of Hoppalong Cassidy. So be prepared for your wanting to take it slow and explore things while others might find it boring.
Some things, you have to understand to appreciate. Like the Baseball hall of fame would be difficult for a non-baseball fan. So some western things might take some explaining.
What he said. ‘This ain’t my first rodeo’ is an expression to indicate that the speaker is well aware of whatever the situation is, and knows how to handle it.
I wouldn’t worry about severe weather, but like jimbuff314 said tornadoes can happen any time. Heat is generally a much bigger issue during that part of the year.
You may not have to ‘worry’ about severe weather, but keep in mind that it’s a possibility. Severe weather is more than just tornadoes. And the possibility of severe weather increases with the heat.
