The parade began at 10 a.m. at Bagby and Walker and ended at Lamar and Bagby.

Prior to the parade, hundreds took part in the 30th Annual Rodeo Run downtown. The parade marks the beginning of the 2017 Houston Rodeo season. The event is the official kick-off for the parade and raises funds to support education of Texas youth.

The Bar-B-Que Cook-off was also held on Saturday. Barbecue connoisseurs from across the world competed in the contest.

The following are the winners chosen from 266 teams:

Grand Champion – Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ

First Runner Up – Top Hand Cookers 2

Second Runner Up – Roadkill BBQ Company 2

Brisket

Champion – Roadkill BBQ Company 2

First Runner Up – Roadkill BBQ Company 1

Second Runner Up – Jack Daniels Barrelhouse Cookers 1

Ribs

Champion – Iowa’s Smokey D’s BBQ

First Runner Up – Top Hand Cookers 2

Second Runner Up – Wild Game Crew 1

Chicken

Champion – Washington County Go Texan

First Runner Up – Bulldog Mountain Cooking Crew

Second Runner Up – Bottomless Pit Cooking Team 1

Go Texan

Go Texan Best Barbecue – Washington County Go Texan

Runner Up – Austin County Go Texan

Dutch Oven

Champion – Fowl Feathered Cookers

First Runner Up – 100.3 The Bull

Second Runner Up – Brisket Cases

Specialty Awards

Most Colorful Team – PBR Cookers

Runner Up Most Colorful Team – Houston First Corporation

Go Texan Most Colorful – Falls County Go Texan

Runner Up Go Texan Most Colorful – Metro Go Texan, Gridiron Cookers

Most Unique Pit – Lost Village Cooking Team

Runner Up Most Unique Pit – Shelby County Go Texan

Best Team Skit – Brazos County Go Texan

Runner Up Best Team Skit – Devil’s River Mountain Men

Cleanest Team Area – Floyd Morrow & Larkin

Runner Up Cleanest Team Area – Clifton Chevy Cookers

For more information go to http://www.KHOU.com