The Food Challenge at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is scheduled for Sunday, March 18th. The contest will be held in the NRG Center, as in the past; however, this year, it has been moved to the opposite end (orange area, back left) of the NRG Center.
Some important information for you about the contest is below:
- Attached you will find a contest schedule that indicates your team’s assigned check-in time. Please note that we are encouraging teams to arrive in time to check in at their assigned time. Arriving too early will only result in waiting longer to check-in and congesting the check-in area, which can lead to the contest being delayed. The contest schedule is also available online at: http://www.rodeohouston.com/Portals/0/Content/GetInvolved/Exhibitors-Participants/Livestock%20Show/Junior%20Show/2018/2018-Food-Challenge-Schedule.pdf
- Upon check-in at the contest, you will also need to provide a team summary form. The form is attached so you can fill it out ahead of time and bring it with you to the contest. Having this done ahead of time will also expedite the team check-in process and keep things running smoothly.
- The committee has also decided that this year team supply boxes will be checked randomly. Even still, teams may only bring the supplies listed in the contest supply box list. Team boxes will be randomly selected with notification of inspection given at the time of contest check-in. Any extra equipment found during inspection will be removed from the team’s supply box. Throughout the contest, teams that are in the possession of supplies not on the official supply list may be disqualified.
- Contest rules and a supply box list for this specific contest are available in the Exhibitor Handbook found online at: http://www.rodeohouston.com/Portals/0/Content/GetInvolved/Exhibitors-Participants/Livestock%20Show/2018_ExhibitorHandbook.pdf (go to page 274).
- Lunch will be provided for all contestants, special thanks to the Judging Contest Committee!
- It is also important to share with you that you will see increased security on the grounds this year at HLSR. The show’s number one priority is the safety of all exhibitors and visitors at the show. So, you may see that some entry points exhibitors have used in the past to enter by foot will not be accessible (like Gate 12). Exhibitors will have to enter through one of the gated entrances, which are clearly marked.
- You can also keep up with happenings at the show by liking the HLSR Exhibitor Facebook Book page: https://www.facebook.com/HoustonLivestockShowExhibitors/
- Lastly, if you already know that your team will not be participating, please let me know. This will allow us to make adjustments in the schedule and cut down on food waste.
We look forward to seeing you in a couple weeks!
Courtney F. Dodd, Ph.D.
Assistant Agency Director & State 4-H Program Leader
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
and
Courtney Latour
Brazoria County Extension Agent
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service