People running at Rodeo carnival prompts closure hours early, HLSR officials say

Sunday, March 15, 2026
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo closed its carnival hours early on Saturday after officials said a group of people began running in the area.

According to HLSR officials, a group of individuals began running in the rodeo's carnival area, which prompted others nearby to begin running as well.

Officials said law enforcement responded quickly. Officials added that they are not aware of any injuries at this time.

Out of an abundance of caution, HLSR officials said, the carnival closed early at about 10 p.m. on Saturday.

"The safety of our guests remains the top priority for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo," a representative from RodeoHouston said on Saturday night.



On Sunday, HLSR released a statement about the incident:

"Last night, fights occurred in the carnival area, causing some guests to run and create confusion. Out of an abundance of caution, the carnival closed early to prioritize the safety of our guests. Law enforcement and on-site security responded immediately.

We hold daily meetings with law enforcement and are working with them on an elevated level. Law enforcement and the Rodeo are actively monitoring social media and deploying additional officers as needed. Together, we are taking proactive steps to help ensure this type of incident does not occur again and to maintain a safe environment for our guests."

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