Region’s Premier Agricultural Education Facility ‘The Spur Expo’ Officially Opens at East Texas A&M
The evening was headlined by a concert featuring Texas country music star Braxton Keith.
East Texas A&M University is transforming agricultural education in Northeast Texas with the opening of “The Spur Expo,” a brand-new multipurpose agricultural educational facility and arena located just south of the main campus in Commerce, Texas.
Officially named the Agricultural Multipurpose Education and Training Center, but christened “The Spur Expo,” the facility opened on March 3 with a ceremony featuring a ribbon-cutting, a demonstration by the East Texas A&M Rodeo Team, and a high-energy concert by Braxton Keith for around 3,000 fans.
Several elected officials and local dignitaries attended the event:
- Glenn Hegar, Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System
- Ryan Griffin, Vice Chancellor & Chief Financial Officer of The Texas A&M University System
- Gary VanDeaver, Representative, Texas District 1
- Keith Bell, Representative, Texas District 4
- Brent Money, Representative, Texas District 2
- Giovanni Catazaro, on behalf of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz
- Natalie Steinsholt, on behalf of U.S. Representative Keith Self, Texas District 3
- Bobby Stovall, Hunt County Judge
- Steven Harrison, Hunt County Precinct 4 Commissioner
- Stephanie Muller, Mayor of Commerce
- Dr. Keith McFarland, President Emeritus of East Texas A&M University
Chancellor Hegar applauded the Texas Legislature for allocating funding for the facility and expressed excitement for what the future holds for East Texas A&M.
“The Spur Expo represents a strong investment in students, agriculture and the future of rural Texas,” Hegar said. “Thanks to the Legislature's support through CCAP funding, East Texas A&M now has a place where students gain hands-on experience, communities come together, and the workforce needs of Texas agriculture are strengthened.”
East Texas A&M President Mark Rudin emphasized the positive educational and economic impact that The Spur Expo brings to the region.
“The grand opening of the Spur Expo is a transformative moment for East Texas A&M. This state-of-the-art facility will expand learning opportunities for our students while bringing new energy to our local economy. It will attract visitors from across the region and serve as a hub of agricultural activity in Northeast Texas. The Spur Expo is a wonderful investment in our students and our community.”
Dr. Bryan Rank, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at East Texas A&M, expressed optimism for the opportunities available to students thanks to The Spur Expo.
“I want to make sure that everyone remembers that the ‘A' in ‘A&M' stands for agriculture,” Rank said. “It's impossible to be involved in agriculture and not be an optimist. Everything we do, from raising livestock to planting crops, is future-facing. That's what we see with this building.”
Following ribbon-cutting festivities, members of the Lion Rodeo Team performed for fans in their home arena for the first time. Founded in 2014, Lion Rodeo has found quick success on the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association circuit, producing a National Champion at the College National Finals Rodeo each of the last four years. The team, which previously held rodeos at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center in Sulphur Springs, Texas, is gearing up for its first rodeo in Commerce since the program began, scheduled for March 20 and 21.
Later in the evening, Braxton Keith took the stage to a packed crowd of thousands to cap off the night. Known for hits such as “I Own This Bar,” “Cozy,” and “The Chair,” Keith's sound and aesthetic hearken back to 80s country greats. In October 2025, his single “Cozy” was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Keith is currently touring and is even embarking on a string of five shows across the Pacific in Australia.
About The Spur Expo at East Texas A&M
Totaling 190,000 square feet, The Spur Expo includes two covered arenas to support rodeos, equine studies, livestock expos, concerts and other events. In addition, the facility features a flexible multipurpose hall that can convert between classrooms and exhibition or meeting space, stall capacity for up to 200 horses and an RV lot designed to support multi-day events.
The main arena features seating for 1,250 spectators for rodeo events and can accommodate up to 3,000 fans in a concert configuration.
Learn more about The Spur Expo at the East Texas A&M website.