The Miami International Agriculture, Horse and Cattle Show offers family-friendly fun for free

For anyone who enjoys rodeos, amusement parks, zoos, gardening, farming, music and cattle auctions, then the annual 2022 Miami International Agriculture, Horse and Cattle Show is the place to be on the weekend of April 8-10, 2022. For the 15th consecutive year, Miami-Dade will host this fun-filled, educational, yet profitable weekend for livestock breeders at Tropical Park’s Ronald Reagan Equestrian Center. Tropical Park hosts more than 36 shows a year at the Equestrian Center, which also has two grass courses and three state-of-the-art arenas covered by a steel roof.

All About the Show

Last year more than 50,000 people attended the show, including visitors from 22 countries, including Russia, Argentina, Brazil, Panama and Colombia. While Miami is known more for sunshine and South Beach models strutting down the catwalk, cattle breeders from around the world will come to watch Brahman cows and bulls display their attributes in cattle shows. The first night is geared toward these cattle breeders who will attend a VIP cocktail party before they get to bid in the Magic City Brahman Genetics & Heifer Sale. The auction will be simulcast internationally via the internet on cattleinmotion.com.

Under the supervision and guidance of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Javier Souto and senior assistant Aldo Gonzalez, the event has exponentially grown since its inception in 2008. “When we started we had one enclosed arena. We now have three,’’ Gonzalez said recently. “A lot of people in Miami don’t normally get to experience an event like this. We’re not just about beaches.”

“Last year there were 330 cows on hands so our guests will see animals of all kinds wherever they are,’’ Gonzalez says. Guests are advised to moooove carefully and steer clear of any gifts from the cattle.

Gonzalez said with all the foreign visitors attending the event and spending money for hotels, transportation and restaurants it’s an economic windfall for Miami. Commissioner Souto grew up in Cuba attending weekend cattle shows with his rancher family and realized with Miami’s connection to Latin America, the union would be a moneymaker for all. “Central and South American ranchers feel at home with familiar people and food of their culture,’’ Souto explained.

Weekend Activities for Everyone

The weekend belongs to the public, who can join the all-day festivities from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for absolutely no entry fee and includes free parking. Spectators will be able to admire magnificent horses, including magnificent Hanoverian, Westphalian and leaping Spanish Andalusian show horses as they prance around the ring vying for show ribbons and trophies. They’ll cheer on their favorite cowboys and cowgirls in team calf-roping, horse jumping, trick riders and bull-riding exhibitions. Local high school and college bands as well as DJs play all weekend because organizers want to give Miami’s local musicians a chance to showcase their talents. Gonzalez beams, “We have free horse shows, a petting zoo, rides and up to 20 food trucks. I took my two daughters last year and they had a blast.’’

“There’s so many fun activities for the whole family but this is basically an agricultural trade show which the spectators can learn about at the educational booths,” notes Gonzalez. He goes on at add that this event illustrates why “Agriculture is Florida’s second largest industry.”

The beauty of Miami International Cattle Show is that it’s free to the public, the only exception being the Kid Zone which features amusement park rides. In Farmville, there’s a petting zoo featuring miniature cows and horses as well as goats, chickens and pigs – there’s even pony rides for the little ones. A percentage of the proceeds from the Kid Zone, food trucks and vendors will go to South Florida Autism Charter School, which provides free education to children with autism. Vendors from the Redlands and Homestead will be hawking their wares, including crops, flowers, tropical plants, fruit trees, honey, spices, fruits, vegetables and leather goods.

Getting to the Cattle Show

Tropical Park is located nine miles from Miami International Airport and 13 miles from Downtown Miami. Visitors are advised to use Lyft.

By: Harvey Fialkov