Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Bryan, TX
- takinthebackroads
- Oct 28
- 6 min read
If you think the rodeo is only for cowboys, you’ve been missing out!
The fairgrounds in Bryan, Texas, were filled with the whoosh of rides whizzing through the air, and the smell of decadent fair foods…. Enter the barn, though, and you’re sure to get a different smell.
It’s been years since Boogie’s been to a fair, and me, even longer. So when Avery with the Brazos Valley Fair and Rodeo reached out and said she wanted to reach more people this year, especially foodies, you can bet I jumped on the chance!
The Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo is a non-profit organization that was established to provide scholarships to youth in the Brazos Valley and beyond. BVFR was established in 2010 and started awarding scholarships in 2013. Since then, it’s hosted incredible performances from Cody Johnson, The Charlie Daniels Band, and Sabrina Carpenter. As of 2023, almost $150,000 in scholarships had been awarded to youth competitors, and they had added new programs like The Leggo and Wordworking competitions, a tractor pull, and more.
The rodeo isn’t all about ropin’ and ridin’, though there is some of that, too. But it really is an all-around, fun time for the whole family, whose purpose is to give back to the community.
Boogie and I started on kick-off weekend (the weekend before opening), because we were invited out to interview the folks who own Off The Leash Hotdogs. They’re a food trailer from right here in the Brazos Valley that serves up specialty hot dogs.
After our interview (check it out on our Facebook or Instagram pages), I got the Chili cheese dog, and Boogie ordered the #3. Funny enough, we ended up liking each other’s more than our own. All their hot dogs are wrapped in bacon, then grilled til that bacon gets hot and crispy. The Chili Cheese dog came with the perfect layer of warm, thick chili, and a generous spread of liquid gold - nacho cheese.
The #3 was a bacon-wrapped dog, but it was dressed with mayo, mustard, ketchup, pico, and queso fresco. We took our first bites and were in love. This is the way that dogs should be done!
About halfway through, Boog and I decided to switch it up and try each other’s. If we were
in love before, we were head over heels now. Boogie couldn’t stop talking about how the Chili Cheese dog was just so perfect, and I was marveling at how well all of the flavors of the #3 went together. I thought it would be too much for me (that flavor combo is usually Boog’s vibe, not mine), but everything came together so beautifully. It was a cool, fresh flavor, which was perfect for the hot day.
We wandered around a bit more. The tractor pull was happening, kids were running around, and driving little cars. We had some friends competing in the BBQ cookoff, so we took a stroll down that way to check out the fun. Smoke billowed up from pit after pit, music playing, and laughter echoed off every surface. These folks had been there since Friday evening, for the first turn in time, and it was about noon when we were there, and they were all still having a great time. We were there a little too early, so we didn’t get to try any of the BBQ, but we’ll plan better next year! Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo doesn’t have the permitting yet to have the cookoff open to the public, but they’re hoping to change that.
The next weekend (Oct 17, 18, & 19) was the big weekend for BVFR, and they pulled out all the stops. A carnival, vendors for shopping, a petting zoo, rodeo events, live music, and of course food!!
When we walked into the Brazos Expo center and went through the turnstiles, which of course I got tangled up in, we hit the shopping motherload. Everything from handcrafted jewelry, clothes, wood crafts, cookware, and more. Plan to spend some time browsing and visiting. Everyone is so excited to be there, and it is all quality items, so you’ll want to talk with the vendors and learn all about them. Boogie got a beautiful sweater and a pair of handcrafted stone earrings. I got a set of handcrafted leather earrings, hot pink & shaped like Texas, because how could I not??
In the barn out back, goats, cows, llamas, and even exotic animals like a zebra and a kangaroo were hanging out in the petting zoo, waiting for snacks or just some love. I, for one, didn’t know that goats are so dang lovable! In the same area, little kids were having events and playing games, and informational booths were set up to talk about everything from gardening to farm animals.
When we left there, we walked through an alley where some of the food vendors were set up. Like Frydat and Smokin’ Sims 45, both of which we had the pleasure of trying.
If you’ve been watching our rodeo content so far, you probably saw our interview with Frydat owner, Derrick Shaw. He’s a firefighter in Dallas, but during rodeo season, he travels the US setting up his concession stand. He sells all of the delicious fried fair foods, like fried Oreos and fried cheesecake.
Boogie ordered the fried Jalapeno Poppers and a Jalapeno Lemonade, and I went with the fried Key Lime Pie and a fresh-brewed Unsweet Iced Tea. I know, I know - the unsweet iced tea is so un-Texan of me. We don’t judge around here!
We haven’t ever met a popper that good in our lives. Fresh jalapenos, stuffed with cheese and fried to a golden, crispy dream; then dipped in their homemade ranch. The jalapeno lemonade was a combination of sharp jalapeno flavor and bite, paired with the sweet and tangy dance of lemonade. Refreshing and smooth, with a little kick in the pants.
The batter around the Key Lime Pie was similar to a corndog batter, but it was dusted with powdered sugar and held the most delicious, smooth, creamy Key lime filling. It was just the right balance of sweet verses tangy. And that big ‘ole glass of tea was just what I needed!
Smokin’ Sims 45 is another local food trailer, and they were actually one of our very first Takin’ the Backroads features a few years back. So I was super excited to see them serving at the fair, because I knew exactly what I wanted to try. The Brisket Grilled Cheese. Two slices of buttery white bread stuffed with an enormous amount of their tender, smoked brisket, and a layer of gooey American cheese. It came with a side of their housemade BBQ sauce,
for those who are saucy - like me.
I’m always nervous when I think about eating at a fair. I’m not coordinated enough to carry food, eat, walk, and talk at the same time. Something will inevitably go wrong! Luckily, they had seating, indoor seating, with air conditioning. Yep, you read that right. Indoor, air-conditioned seating at tables where you can actually enjoy your food, relax, cool off, and talk with your people.
After getting all full and sassy, we decided to take a walk around the carnival side of the fair. Rides whizzing, whirling, spinning, and speeding by. Not really my cup of tea, but I loved hearing all of the giggles and squeals. While we were there, it was still early, and looking like it was going to rain, so with no lines, kids were running from one attraction to the next, having a ball.
You better believe we’ll be headed back next year to try all of the yummy things we didn’t have room for this year! And maybe, I’ll even stay up past my bedtime to see the concert. Maybe.
Make sure you’re following the social media pages of these food vendors so you know where they’re going to be, and try them out. I’ve got them listed below.
So, next October, if you’re looking to support local people who are supporting local kids, make sure you take the backroads over and check out the Brazos Valley Fair and Rodeo. If you stop at one of these food vendors, tell them we said hi and send us a message to let us know what you loved the most!
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Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo (Facebook & Website)
Off The Leash Hotdogs (Facebook)
Frydat (Instagram)
Smokin’ Sims 45 (Facebook)
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