In 1939, the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Agricultural Exposition, the foundation of today's Show, was organized as a project of the Mercedes Chamber of Commerce. The first Show was held in 1940 on the grounds of a local livestock sales yard with improvised pens and lean-to sheds. The Show continued to be held on this same property until 1949 when it moved to its present location. In 1947, the Show was incorporated and chartered as a non-profit educational organization with a Board of Directors representing all of the four southmost counties of Texas.

Schedule of Events:

RGVLS Music Headliner
9:30 pm: Braxton Keith

Musical Performances - Eros and The Drifters

09:00 am: PRCA Slack Women's Events (Payne Auto Group Rodeo Arena)
07:00 pm: PRCA Rodeo (Payne Auto Group Rodeo Arena)
12:00 pm - 12:00 am: Carnival