Back to the Beginning of Cornyval and PRCA Rodeo

It all began 56 years ago, in a town that is now called Helotes, Texas. This small community had its very first post office built and what a better thing to do than throw a celebration. That celebration was just the beginning of the Cornyval.

Helotes Cornyval and PRCA Rodeo 2021
Thursday, April 29th through Sunday, May 2nd
12210 Leslie Rd, Helotes, TX 78023

The Cornyval was originally held downtown Helotes in front of John T. Floore Country Store right on Bandera Road. In the beginning, Cornyval started just as a carnival with food booths. Soon enough, the Cornyval moved to its new grounds located on Leslie Road. The rodeo finally got to join in on the Cornyval team and take place on the new grounds in a little arena out in the parking lot. The rodeo has now moved to a different place and bigger arena on the same property. It will be the 56th year of Cornyval and the 36th year of the PRCA Rodeo this year.

Having good dirt in an arena is important, PRCA Rodeo has won best dirt of the year award. Cornyval has also made it to the top 3 of small rodeo of the year a couple of times. Now, the Cornyval rodeo is more of a medium-sized rodeo so we’ll see what’s in store.

The Cornyval and PRCA Rodeo has grown tremendously over the years. Starting off, Cornyval was lucky to bring in 12,000-15,000 people in a 4-day event. Now they are bringing in almost 100,000 people each year! The rodeo has grown progressively year after year and keeps on getting bigger and better! The news is spreading that this is an all-time event that you don’t want to miss out on.

The Cornyval site is spacious and lush consisting of 48-acres filled with beautiful trees everywhere that make up for good shade in the hotter months. A dance arena, rodeo area with box seats, permanent restrooms, an office, and a covered pavilion has been added to the property. As well as permanent booths have been built for vendors/local non-profits and ticket sales. There is still so much in store for the Cornyval grounds. Things are growing and improving year after year.

Of all the construction on the rodeo grounds, the President of Cornyval, David Gray has incorporated used materials that the grounds already had and repurposed the materials. For example, he took old planks of wood from a set of bleachers and used it as a stage backdrop.

All these changes are because of all the volunteers that Cornyval has. A big thank you to each and every one of you for helping make the Cornyval grounds what it is today.  The grounds are available throughout the year to rent out by various organizations.

Helotes Cornyval and PRCA Rodeo 2021
Thursday, April 29th through Sunday, May 2nd
12210 Leslie Rd, Helotes, TX 78023

Last Updated on 04/20/2021 by Megan deFabry

About the Author:

Megan deFabry

Biography:

Howdy, I'm Megan deFabry. I grew up in Reno, Nevada, but since 2017 my heart has called Texas home. I now reside in Austin, Texas since 2020. I'm driven by my faith, cherished relationships with family and friends, and my professional ambitions. I'm passionate about digital marketing and journalism, especially the wide-open spaces of America's Western lifestyle, the grit of agriculture, the excitement of rodeo, and the heart of country music.

For nearly a decade, I've been sharing this way of life through storytelling. And like any good cowboy tale, there's a loyal sidekick, my little Dachshund, Frank, who I adopted from a shelter in New Braunfels, Texas, back in 2018. He keeps me grounded, reminding me to chase horizons and savor life's simple joys.

I graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs and a minor in Mass Communication. My major taught me to decode consumer behavior, which is crucial for marketing, while my minor sharpened my storytelling skills. Since then, I've spent years mastering SEO and content strategy, staying ahead in a fast-moving field. My work even caught the eye of Cowboy Lifestyle Network's CTO, Irish Padmore, who recognized me for contributing to his research on Consumer Behavior in the Age of AI.

Since 2018, I've been honored to work at Cowboy Lifestyle Network. Now as Editor-in-Chief writing, editing, and publishing articles that capture the cowboy spirit, crafting strategies rooted in Western values, and building real client connections. Guided by ethical journalism, I aim to tell stories that resonate and reflect the unsung heroes of the Western spirit.

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