Picture the greatest sporting events—the Super Bowl, the FIFA World Cup, the Masters—and swap out the gear for horses, cattle, and cowboys. That’s what The Hondo Rodeo Fest is all about: a weekend-long competition featuring the best of the best professional cowboys going head-to-head for a million dollar purse. And it’s happening this weekend in New Orleans’ very own Caesars Superdome. 

Why New Orleans? CEO of The Hondo Rodeo Fest, James Trawick, explains. 

“Well, there’s a lot of reasons why we love New Orleans. First of all, we love the food and the music and the people. Around New Orleans, there’s a lot of agricultural activities happening. There’s rodeo associations, there’s farming—and that’s beef cattle and row crops of every kind. We knew that if we could get the right date, we could bring people from all over the Southeast into New Orleans, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” says Trawick. 

The Daily Lineup 

The Free Street Fest 

Each day follows a similar lineup of events, beginning with the free street festival. Attendees can enjoy live music, food, beverages, and craft-making activities. Kids can even ride sheep and get a little dirty in a fan-favorite event called Mutton Busting, which Trawick describes as “one of the funniest things you’ll ever see.” 

Bonus: Willie Robertson of Duck Dynasty will host a church service Sunday in Champion Square, kicking off the final day’s Street Fest. 

Doors to the Superdome open in the early evening, with a special segment featuring the Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola) to follow.

The Angola Rodeo 

“When you show up in a town that you’re new to, you really need to try to figure out how to weave the local fabric—the DNA of the community. From a rodeo perspective, in Louisiana, so much of that culture is connected to Angola, so we started digging into what that was all about and why it was so special,” says Trawick.  

After attending the Angola Prison Rodeo last year, Trawick and his team realized it was more than just a rodeo. 

“There’s a lot of talk about prison reform and rehabilitation. From my perspective, this is one of the only real cases where we got to go out and see that in action,” Trawick says. “It was just very evident to us early on that we needed to get involved. We’re a rodeo at the highest level—if we’re coming to Louisiana, we have to connect with Angola.” 

With help from the penitentiary’s warden and Governor Landry, the team selected eight of the top trustees, those who have competed in the Angola rodeo many times. Chosen based on merit and performance, they now have the opportunity to compete in the Superdome.

Afterwards, the main event begins: a two-hour, million-dollar rodeo competition. 

The Million Dollar Rodeo

Trawlick explains that these contestants represent the best in the world. From bull riding to saddle bronc, bareback to team roping, tie-down roping and steer wrestling to barrel racing, The Hondo Rodeo Fest showcases every major rodeo discipline—not just bull riding.

“These are going to be the best performances you’ve ever seen,” Trawick says. 

The 1017 Project 

Following the rodeo, a segment takes place as 5,000 guests transition from stadium seats to the arena floor. This portion highlights the rodeo’s charitable partner, the 1017 Project. 

With support from the First Lady of Louisiana and Governor Landry, Trawick says they are able to donate 35,000 pounds of beef amongst every parish in Louisiana, with a food bank in each parish receiving the beef supply. 

“There’s so much ranching heritage tied to the history of the sport of rodeo—and that’s about raising beef cattle. So, it’s our mission to feed people real, good protein.”

The Concert 

After the rodeo, the stage comes alive with major musical artists. This weekend’s lineup includes Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jason Aldean, Old Dominion, Cody Johnson, Bailey Zimmerman, and Creed—each closing out the night with high-energy performances. 

The Message Behind the Rodeo 

Trawick says the goal is to return year after year, planting roots and becoming a tradition the community embraces. Beyond entertainment, the event aims to give back through initiatives like the 1017 Project while continuing to grow the presence of professional rodeo in Louisiana. 

“I think the rodeo has a place in each major market, and we believe we’ll have a home in New Orleans for a long time.” 

More than anything, Trawick hopes the event brings people together. 

“I think that this is a time when we’re really divided as a country, even in a local context. Sports and music both have a unique way of bringing people together, no matter your background, where you come from, or what you believe in. I think in this type of show, especially this one, you have an opportunity to get together with your neighbors and with your communities, bring your kids, and build memories together,” he says.

That sense of connection is central to the mission—creating an experience that is welcoming, positive, and family-friendly in every way. 

To learn more about The Hondo Rodeo Fest, visit thehondorodeofest.com/neworleans. Use code HRC2N for 20 percent off at checkout.