Houston Rodeo season doesn’t officially begin until Go Texan Day in late February,
but that didn’t stop Parking & Transportation Services from getting an early start
on the fun.
The department hosted a cowboy hat–decorating party, dubbed Rodeo Craft Bash with UH Parking, giving students a chance to prepare for rodeo season while bringing the University of Houston community together.
Held in the Bayou City Room of the Student Center, the event marked Parking & Transportation’s first rodeo-themed program. Upon entering, students were greeted with a simple but important choice: a black or brown cowboy hat. After selecting their complimentary hat, participants could decorate it using a wide variety of materials, including western-themed pins and patches, small lights and stickers, allowing each hat to reflect its creator’s personality.
Sophomore Abigail Baldwin, a management major, learned about the event while researching
activities happening around campus. Intrigued by the cowboy hat–decorating theme,
she decided to attend and brought her friend, Zofie Chun.
“It was really fun,” said Chun. “I was able to explore my creativity.”
Baldwin praised Parking & Transportation for hosting the event ahead of rodeo season,
noting that it demonstrated the department’s commitment to engaging with the campus
community.
“I think the turnout was amazing,” said Gazelle Galvan, Parking & Transportation program coordinator. “Everybody who participated in the event got something out of it.”
For some attendees, the event served as their first introduction to Houston’s rodeo
culture. Namir Manasiya, an atmospheric science major, said he enjoyed learning more
about the city’s western heritage.
“I wanted to reflect Houston’s western culture,” said Manasiya, describing his hat, which featured a “Cowboy” patch along with horseshoe-themed pins. “Now I get to channel my inner cowboy.”
Galvan said she enjoyed seeing students experience rodeo traditions for the first
time. Parking & Transportation will continue the theme later this month with a second
rodeo-inspired event called Trail Ride. The event invites students to join the department
for a bike or scooter ride across campus — a playful nod to the trail rides that traditionally
precede the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Galvan hopes many of the students who decorated hats will wear their creations during the Trail Ride.
