Conroe Parade Pauses 2025; A&M Cavalry Joins 2026 Return

CONROE, TX – A cherished pre-Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo tradition, the Conroe Go Texan Parade, will not be rolling through downtown Conroe in February 2025, marking its first cancellation in over five decades. The Conroe Go Texan Committee, organizers of the popular annual event, announced the difficult decision, citing escalating logistical challenges and a commitment to “reimagine” its future.

Committee Chairman Chad Patterson explained that the decision stems from a “perfect storm” of issues. The parade, which drew hundreds of entries and massive crowds to downtown Conroe on February 10, 2024, has simply outgrown the city’s downtown infrastructure. Patterson detailed concerns over major traffic disruptions, road closures becoming increasingly difficult to manage, and heightened safety issues, all exacerbated by Conroe’s rapid population growth.

Adding to the complexity are ongoing downtown construction projects, including new parking garages, which consume crucial staging areas traditionally used for parade preparation. The committee is also grappling with a significant crunch for volunteers, a critical resource needed to execute an event of this scale safely and efficiently. Patterson emphasized the committee’s need to ensure the event is “fiscally responsible” and “sustainable” moving forward.

This cancellation is a significant moment for the community, as the parade has only been called off once before, in 1972 due to an ice storm. The event itself boasts a rich history, beginning as the Conroe Trail Ride in 1958 and evolving into the parade format familiar to generations of residents since the 1960s. Its festive atmosphere, celebrating Western heritage and community spirit, has long been a highlight of the local calendar.

While acknowledging the disappointment many will feel, the committee underscored that the parade’s core mission – raising money for local youth scholarships – remains paramount. “Our scholarship efforts will absolutely continue in 2025,” Patterson confirmed, noting that other Go Texan events will proceed as planned to support deserving students in Montgomery County.

Conroe Mayor Steve Hailey echoed the committee’s sentiments, acknowledging the undeniable challenges posed by the city’s growth. “Conroe has grown tremendously, and with that growth comes the need to adapt,” Mayor Hailey stated. “I have full confidence in the Go Texan Committee’s vision for the future and their dedication to bringing the parade back in a way that serves our community even better.”

Patterson clarified that this is not an end, but a “strategic pause.” The committee will utilize the coming year to thoroughly explore new routes, potentially different locations within Montgomery County, or even a modified format that can better accommodate the city’s changing landscape. “Our goal is to bring the Conroe Go Texan Parade back stronger and better in the future,” Patterson concluded, inviting community input and support as they embark on this reimagining process.

Details regarding alternative 2025 Go Texan events and scholarship application information will be announced in the coming months on the Conroe Go Texan Committee’s official website and social media channels. The committee also encourages interested individuals to consider volunteering for upcoming events to help sustain their vital scholarship programs.