(This article was written by Abigail Muniz Garcia and was featured in the March 2025 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine.)
Mark your calendar for Thursday, March 6 through Sunday, March 16: the dates for Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo (RGVLS) in Mercedes. The RGVLS is in its 86th year, and it continues to make its mark on the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) as a popular and traditional attraction. Last year’s season marked its “Diamond Anniversary” as it turned 85. The RGVLS’ mission is to “provide a safe and educational environment that promotes family, community, and volunteerism.”
This year’s theme is “A South Texas Tradition … Make It Yours.” The theme carries throughout the show and is also a feature of the parade, which will take place on Saturday, March 8 on Texas Avenue.
In January, the RGVLS announced a 5K run to benefit the Champs for Champions program at the RGVLS. The program’s purpose is to make sure the exhibitors receive commensurate financial support.
This event is one of the newest additions to the RGVLS. At press time, the RGVLS Champs for Champions Boot Run was scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 22 at 8 am.
Another attraction that visitors can expect this year is “Jurassic Kingdom,” a dinosaur show that will be happening daily at 2 pm, 5 pm, and 8 pm and on weekends at 12 pm. The carnival is another popular draw for families.
For the first time ever, one of the featured artists in the musical line-up includes the band Whiskey D, an RGV band that has performed all over Texas. They will kick off as the first concert at this year’s festivities on Thursday, March 6 at 7:30 pm. And if you happen to miss that show, they will also be performing on Monday, March 10.
Rock N Roll James, the band’s founder, leader, and singer who is a Mercedes native, says he is looking forward to playing in his hometown and at RGVLS.
“This will be the first time (at the livestock show), and we are totally excited,” James said. “Our latest release is a collaboration with Tejano superstars Bobby Pulido and Lucky Joe. We covered an old 1975 classic hit, "Third Rate Romance," originally recorded by The Amazing Rhythm Aces, except we gave it a Tex-Mex twist with Lucky Joe on accordion. He will be guest-performing the song with us live, for the very first time at the RGVLS.”
James says he remembers being dressed up as a cowboy by his mom every year in elementary school just for the livestock show and later working the carnival as a teen.
“It's gonna be surreal performing at the RGVLS, totally awesome,” he said.
Others performing this year include Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers, Gary Hobbs, The Spazmatics, Catie Offerman, and others. Concerts are free with paid gate admission. For the full lineup list and for all other information including entertainment acts and event times, you can visit the RGVLS website, www.rgvls.com.
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