2026 ELECTION
Brazil's biggest rodeo has become the right's unofficial convention

Jair Bolsonaro at the Barretos Rodeo Show in 2019, his first year as president. Photo: Marcos Corrêa/PR
Every August, the city of Barretos converts bull riding, beer, and sertanejo music into something close to a national institution. The 71st edition of the Barretos Rodeo Show opens on August 20, in the interior of São Paulo, and runs through August 30. Last year's 70th-anniversary edition drew nearly one million visits and some BRL 600 million (USD 115m) in economic activity over 11 days.
This year it doubles as a valuable stage in the presidential campaign…

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