In the following years the Show grew rapidly and farmers,  ranchers and businessmen  and women from all over the Rio Grande Valley pitched in to make this an all valley event.   Just a few of the early supporters & workers  were:  Mr. Shelly Collier,  Mr. Abe Baum,  Mr. N.P. Barton,  Mr. Quincy Farris,  Mr. W. T. Dudly,  Mr. Harry Ratliff,  Mr. Ernest Poteet,  Mr. Nix Harrigton,  Mr. Henry Lauderdale,  Mr. Jim Slaugther, & Mr. Carl A. Blasig,  who as Chamber President, served as Show Manager for the first Livestock Show.  

In 1947 The Show was incorporated  with the following men serving as Directors:  Mr. E.L. Park, Mr. Gordon Leonard,  Mr. Morris Allen,  Mr. Gilson Knapp,  Mr. J.R.. Wade,  Mr. Clarence Archer,  Mr. Abel Garcia &  Mr.  Garner George.   This is also the year a 44.8 acre tract of  land North of the Mercedes city limits was purchased from Mr. Darius Schwarz.

In 1949 the corporation The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show was completed,  and American Midway became the official carnival for the Show.   In 1950 a set of  By-laws were adopted and Mr. Carl Blasig became the Show manager.

Col. H. G. Stein was appointed manager in March of 1954 and a new Breeder Barn was built.   1955 saw a rodeo staged by Bob Estes of Baird,  Texas.

In 1962 Col. Stein resigned and the Board made Mrs. Frances Mitchell ( Cooper )  the Office Manager.

Little did anyone known that Francis would carry the torch for the next 27 years, seeing it through many ups and downs,  all the time keeping to the main theme, what's good for the youth of valley was good for the show!.
With 27 years and careful management the show has seen a number of new exhibit halls and barns constructed, as well as the Rodeo Arena.   In 1989 Francis Cooper retired and Jack Schwarz took over as Show  manager.

In 1997 the Board appointed Jim Beale as Show manager and the Show goes on!    You see it's one of the Top Ten Shows in Texas drawing over 150,000 people annually.   It takes more than 1000 volunteers to put it on each year.   It handles approximately 3,000 exhibitors a year and does this with out using local, state or federal tax dollars.     The main sources of revenue coming from gate and carnival receipts,  rental fees for concessions and commercial exhibits,  but what really makes the Show work is  ALL THE VOLUNTEERS  from all walks of life giving countless hours of their time each year to make the show come together.
 
Since its inception in 1940,  the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show has always had youth education in livestock activities, as its primary focus.    In more recent years, the development of a scholarship program has provided
deserving 4-H and FFA students of the four South Texas counties; Cameron,  Hidalgo,  Willacy and Starr, with $14,000.00 in Scholarships to Texas colleges and universities. 
 
 
 

  March 13 -17, 2002

Parade March 13

JAG