Rodeo Austin with Kids ~ March 1-16, 2014

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Texans know how to put on a great rodeo, and the Rodeo Austin is no exception. Even if calf-roping is not your thing, there is plenty of fun things to do for the entire family at

Rodeo Austin Star of Texas Fair. This year, the Rodeo starts on March 1 and lasts through March 16, 2014. One of Austin's premier events, it offers ProRodeo events, a Livestock Show, daily concerts, and more!

We love Rodeo Austin, as it is a much smaller scale than some of the bigger Texas cities, which makes it much more manageable for us. I think it is a great event to take children to, so here are 5 Tips to Make Rodeo Austin a Great Experience:

1. Look for deals on the Carnival tickets: Your kids will want to ride all the rides and the best way to go is with an unlimited wristband. Every year there is a Spring Break discount but they have not announced that yet. Last year it was the week of Spring Break, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., which offers unlimited daily rides at $23 for adults and $20 for children and you could only purchase them at the gate. They also offered a $1 carnival ride day the Friday before Spring Break last year (that would be on March 7, 2014 this year). Keep an eye on the Rodeo Austin FAQ page to see if they will be offering it this year.

2. Go Early and on a Weekday: Get there right at 11, when the gates open and you will experience much smaller lines. Most are going for the rodeo events in the evening, so you will really be able to take advantage of that unlimited wristband by going early.

3. Look at the Schedule of Events and Make a Plan: While there were not many Rodeo events to watch during the day, there is TONS of fun activities for the kids, including the Swifty Swine Pig races, H-E-Buddy Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, and the Kidtown. You do not want to miss these fun and free events.

4. Bring lots of Cash - Most of the food vendors take cash, so you will want plenty, as the food is pricy. There are ATM machines available if you need more. Also, keep in mind that you pay to park and admission to the Fairgrounds, in addition to the ProRodeo and Concert tickets.

5. Bring a Stroller for little ones - There is a lot of walking and standing, so bring a stroller for little ones - it's also a great place to stash some waters and snacks.

The Rodeo Austin website is well done, listing all the available events by date. And check out their FAQs for any questions you may have.