Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show
Mercedes, Hidalgo County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The City of Mercedes put on its first Livestock Show in 1913 in a building at Second St. and the Mercedes Canal. The purpose of the exhibition was to provide farmers with information about livestock and agriculture. The show was formally reinitiated in 1939 and chartered in 1949 as “the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show, Inc., ”a non-profit educational corporation with a board of directors. In 1949, 44 acres were purchased for the site of the show at the north end of Texas Ave. Today, it ranks in the top five largest livestock shows in Texas and is a vital stimulator for the local and regional economy. Its primary focus is educating youth and promoting agriculture.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Mercedes staged its first livestock show in 1913 to share knowledge of livestock and agriculture with area farmers, an exhibition formally revived in 1939 and chartered in 1949 as the nonprofit Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show. That year the organization bought 44 acres at the north end of Texas Avenue for its grounds. Today it ranks among the five largest livestock shows in Texas and remains focused on educating youth and promoting agriculture.
Why it matters
The show reflects the agricultural heart of the Rio Grande Valley and the enduring American tradition of fairs that teach farming to the next generation.
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