Rodeo Parade hits the trail through Conroe

CONROE, Texas -- Conroe loves a parade, and the 48th Annual Go-Texan parade always brings out the crowd, both in parade entries and spectators. Sponsored by the Conroe/Willis/The Woodlands Metro Go-Texan Committee of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and The Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce, the Conroe rodeo parade Saturday, kicked off the ‘Go Texan’ season with one of the rodeo’s first events.

The unusually large turnout lining the parade route was attributed to the beautiful weather with sunny, clear skies and the temperature in the mid-60s.

A rodeo parade wouldn’t be a rodeo event without horses. When kids come to see this parade they expect to see some horses. Among the largest entries… the Shriners, who brought a herd of horses, a team of mules pulling a wagon, motorcycles, miniature cars, and of course, the clowns, who entertained the crowd with their antics.

Riding in her first parade was Laylee Wood, the 6-year old granddaughter of Commissioner Craig Doyal, a student of Stewart Creek Elementary School. Laylee rode on the MCABW’s (Montgomery County Association of Business Women) trailer.

“My favorite thing was the horses,” said Laylee. Which was pretty much what all the other kids were saying.

As the parade snaked through downtown Conroe, the entries were welcomed on every block with an introduction to the crowd.

“The exposure for the MCABW was terrific,” said Stephanne Laviolette. “We had a 30 to 60-second commercial on every block. We’ll definitely do this parade again!.”

For those who took the time to decorate a parade float to promote their organization or business, the exposure was worth the time and effort, and it helped if you had a horse.