Hot Cheeto pizza, carnival additions, and all that's new at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

HOUSTON, Texas -- As the countdown for the 2024 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo continues, representatives of the show shared date and time changes, new attractions, special days, and new food options for attendees.

Opening day is Feb. 27, and March 17 is the last day of the famed event, which features concerts, rodeo and livestock competitions, auctions, a carnival, plus several retail and food vendors.

What's different?

This year's carnival adds a new ride called the Joker 360, a 16-seat pendulum that swings clockwise and counterclockwise with high speeds and free-falling sensations.

New shops, including Houston-based Vntg Sply thrift store and leather goods retailer Clayton & Crume, join the vendors at the rodeo. Rodeo Houston merchandise gets an expansion as well with new categories, such as bags, jewelry, home decor, Christmas ornaments, ladies' apparel, pajamas and men's polos, according to a Feb. 8 news release.

On the menu

Four new food vendors will join the plethora of options at the HLSR. They include:

• Big Fat Bacon, a Minnesota State Fair vendor

• Illinois-based MiaBella's Wood-Fired Pizza

• The Skillet at The Ranch, an extension of NRG Park's The Ranch Saloon & Steakhouse

• Family-owned fair food business Waffle Chix

In addition, established HLSR eateries will offer new foods. Asian Streetness will sell wonton nachos, while Cajun Cowboy will have Louisiana crawfish cheese fries and churro fries.

More unique carnival foods are another innovation this year, including hot Cheeto cheese pickle pizza-a New York-style pizza with a ranch dill sauce, mozzarella cheese, extra crispy sliced dill pickles, and Flamin' Hot Cheetos-and the Barbalicious float, which is a handcrafted bubblegum soda topped with cotton candy, whipped cream, sprinkles, and a pink and white lollipop.

RELATED:2024 Houston Downtown Rodeo Parade: What to know before you go

Dates to know

This year's rodeo also marks the 50th anniversary of the World Championship Bar-B-Que contest and will feature Value Wednesdays and earlier weekend start times, per the release.

• Value Wednesdays (Feb. 28, March 6, and March 13): Free admission for seniors age 60 and older and children age 12 and under until noon; vendor discounts until 4 p.m.

• "Community Day" (March 6): Admission to NRG Park is free for everyone until noon; Junction Carnival rides and games buy one get one free; and food and beverages are discounted until 4 p.m.

• Weekend rodeo: HSLR weekend dates now start an hour earlier at 2:45 p.m. NRG Stadium gates will open at 2 p.m., and the featured entertainer will storm the Star Stage around 5 p.m.

This article comes from our ABC13 partners at Community Impact Newspapers.