Sunday Speaker Series: History of the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show

In 1939, the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Agricultural Exposition 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. In 1947, the show was incorporated and chartered as a non-profit educational organization with a board of directors representing all of the four south most counties of Texas. The show has continued to grow each year and now ranks as one of the top ten in the state of Texas. People from all over the state eagerly anticipate the event and come to enjoy the many activities including a parade, rodeos and competitive livestock events.

For the second year in a row, visitors to the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and the Museum of South Texas History will have a chance to enjoy a ticket-for-ticket partnership between the museum and the RGVLS. Museum visitors who attend the Sunday Speaker Series presentation will receive a one-day ticket to the RGVLS valid from March 8 to March 17. Additionally, visitors to either the museum or the RGVLS during that time period can bring their tickets to the other venue for free admission.

Mike Risica, the Sunday Speaker Series presenter, was born in Lyford, Texas, but raised in Edinburg, Texas. He graduated from Edinburg High School, where he was active in 4-H and FFA. He followed his passion for agriculture and moved on to graduate Cum Laude from Texas A&M University in College Station with a double major in Animal Science and Agricultural Education in 1981. Upon graduation, Risica returned to Edinburg, where he became a teacher in the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District. After a few years with the school district, Risica decided to continue pursuing a career in the agriculture field and opened up Rio Beef Feedyard, a custom cattle feeding venture.

Risica was asked to serve on the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show Board of Directors in 1989, following in the footsteps of his father, Sam Risica. He held the positions of secretary and vice president and is now serving as the president of the RGVLS.

Sunday Speaker Series is included in the fee for regular museum admission. FRIENDS of MOSHistory are admitted free as a benefit of FRIENDship.

This program is made possible with generous support from the Carmen C. Guerra Endowment. Mrs. Guerra was deeply committed to supporting educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley. This named endowment was created at the museum by her family to honor her memory and to continue her commitment to providing opportunities for education to the community.