Trail rides, BBQ, cowboy boots and hats add up to big money for - Houston weather, traffic, news | FOX 26 | MyFoxHouston

Trail rides, BBQ, cowboy boots and hats add up to big money for Houston

Sandy Sims says there is nothing better than a trail ride. She says, "wonderful wonderful fun...You couldn't ask for nothing else"

That's how Sandy Sims from Rosharon describes the trail rides into Houstonthat signifies the Houston Livestock Show and rodeo has arrived.

Sims was among dozens of trail riders who pulled into Memorial Park Fridayafternoon after a week' s long journey from their neck of the woods.

"We don't actually want to go home...we're all family," says Sims.

If horseback is not your cup of tea....how about taking a sniff from thispit at Reliant stadium.

The world championship barbecue cooking contest should be the perfectdraw.  The event boasts the best cooks in these parts but it does muchmore...Along with the full Houston rodeo more than 2 million people areexpected to attend. That pumps millions of dollars into the economy, put peopleto work, and fills a lot of bellies in the meantime with some finger lickingbarbecue.

And then there's that Texas spirit of goodwill. The Houston branch of theUSO will be providing free meals of the military all weekend long at itstent.  They expect to feed some 1500 people. After all they have 500 racksof ribs.

Perkins says, "I just came back in September...we're hungry to be backin Texas."

Wyatt Perkins was in the navy. His fiance stumbled upon the USO tent andthey were welcomed with open arms.

And Liz Vallette says that's what all veteranscan expect a thank you and a warm welcome when they hit the doors of the USOtent at the barbecue cooking contest.