The first Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo unfolded nearly a century ago in 1932. The tradition continues this year from February 27th to March 18th at One NRG Park. In 2017, the rode attracted more than 2.6 million visitors. And with concerts by Blake Shelton, Little Big Town, and Luke Bryan on the itinerary, among many others, the crowd could be even bigger this year.

The big-name concerts are just a part of the draw. Head to the rodeo ring to watch cowboys attempt to stay atop bucking bulls, wrestle steers, and race barrels. Meet the goats, alpacas, and rabbits at the Livestock Show. From February 22nd to 24th, stop by for the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. More than 250 teams face off for the title of champion, and some of the barbecue tents are open to the public so come and do a taste-test (or several). General admission tickets to the grounds start at $15.

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Elements of French and Belgian artistry are evident in every confection that comes from Araya Artisan Chocolate in River Oaks. However, the origin of its cocoa beans is actually halfway across the globe from Europe, in Venezuela. The combination of high-quality, single-origin chocolate from South America and classic chocolate-making techniques results in gourmet treats that are perfect for Valentine's Day.

They're so perfect, in fact, that Araya Artisan Chocolate has a separate section of its website dedicated solely to V-Day chocolates. Treat someone special to a snack that's as sweet as they are, like the chocolate-dipped Oreos embellished with white and pink hearts. Express your amore with a more lavish gift, like the multi-layer chocolate gift box packed with 36 small confections that range from artsy truffles to chocolate-coated nuts.

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Blomma Flower Shop's user-friendly website might trick you into thinking that this is your typical online flower company. The ease and convenience of the streamlined online ordering process rival that of big-name floral brands. Yet the online presence is merely an offshoot of a physical store where owner Kim and her team of floral artists create one-of-a-kind bouquets.

You can use the website as inspiration and have Kim create something to your exact specifications, or order a bouquet exactly as it appears online. For Valentine's Day, Blomma Flower Shop offers a mix of classic and contemporary arrangements. The Guilty Pleasure bouquet features a simple mix of red roses, sprays of small white flowers, and eucalyptus. You can really stun your significant other with the Pink Explosion, an arrangement that features a vibrant combination of pink Stargazer lilies, roses, and daisies.

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