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Harris County police officers wave to the crowds as they ride in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade in Houston, Texas, the United States, Feb. 23, 2019. More than 2,000 trail riders gathered in downtown Houston for a parade on Saturday, celebrating the upcoming Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo which will be held from Feb. 25 through March 17. (Xinhua/Qiu Ma)

HOUSTON, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- More than 2,000 trail riders gathered in downtown Houston for a parade on Saturday, celebrating the upcoming Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in the fourth largest city of the United States.

Decorative floats intermingle with thousands of men and women on horseback, filling the streets with hoof beats and attracting enthusiastic Houstonians and out-of-town spectators to line the streets and sidewalks.

Coming from different cities across the states of Texas and Louisiana, the riders traveled hundreds of miles before reaching Houston. Marching in 12 trail rides, most of the riders trekked a week to reach the destination.

"They are people from all walks of life, and each trail ride has many interesting stories," according to RodeoHouston's website.

The riders are here to attend the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo which will be held from Feb. 25 through March 17.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, also called RodeoHouston or abbreviated HLSR, is the largest livestock exhibitions and rodeo in the world. It includes one of the richest regular-season professional rodeo events. It has been held at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, since 2003.