Houston rodeo vendors devastated by cancellation of festival

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Local and rodeo officials announced Wednesday that the livestock and rodeo show would be closed indefinitely due to an emergency health declaration in response to coronavirus concerns.

This is the first time the rodeo has been shut down in its nearly 90-year history.

Vendors were hit especially hard by this news as many depend on the festival for a large portion of their yearly income.

Sean Ryon, a vendor at the rodeo, told KSAT News, “The biggest part of the show was still yet to come, as far as our business we were, we had good numbers, things were looking really strong, I haven’t seen any scare of the virus affect us at all: until today.”

Many of the vendors do not have an online store or storefront, which is why the rodeo is so important to their yearly income.

Vendors are now packing up everything they own in merchandise and driving back home after taking a massive hit to their income.

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