DICKINSON — Southwest North Dakota is emerging from a record-breaking snowfall winter just in time for the Roughrider Commission to announce their highly anticipated Roughrider Days Fair & Expo schedule. The list of community activities and events will return from June 21 to June 25, offering a much-needed ray of hope for the joys of summer. The five-day extravaganza promises a memorable experience for all who attend, whether attendees want to indulge in delicious fair food, take in thrilling rodeo action or soak up the festive atmosphere, the schedule of events includes classic staples and new activities.
The carnival will kick off on Wednesday, June 21, with a grand opening ceremony at 6 p.m. Visitors can expect to be entertained by an array of thrilling rides, fun games and delicious food stalls. The carnival will run daily from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday. However, it will close early at 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The event organizers have promised to offer a carnival experience like no other. From classic carnival games such as ring toss and balloon darts to more modern thrilling rides, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Visitors can also indulge in a variety of delicious food options, from cotton candy and funnel cakes to savory treats like pizza and hot dogs.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo will take place from Friday, June 23, to Sunday, June 25. The rodeo, sponsored by Marathon, is expected to be a major attraction for visitors from across the state, and will feature some of the best cowboys and cowgirls from around the country competing for top honors.
The Friday night rodeo is branded as ‘Tough Enough To Wear Pink Night,’ a special event aimed at raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. The Saturday night rodeo will have a Kids Night theme, with a performance starting at 7 p.m. and the Grand Entry at 6:45 p.m.
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The PRCA Rodeo on Sunday will be dedicated as ‘Military Appreciation Day,’ and the event will also be sponsored by Marathon. The rodeo will begin at 4 p.m. with the Grand Entry at 3:45 p.m.
The rodeo promises to be an action-packed event, featuring various timed events such as barrel racing, breakaway roping and bull riding. The rodeo will also have slack competitions, which are open to all cowboys and cowgirls. The Breakaway Roping & Barrel Racing Only Slack will begin at 8 a.m.
In addition to the rodeo festivities, the always popular parade will take place on Saturday, July 1 at 10 a.m., which will be held on Villard St.
A concert on Monday, July 3, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and the show starting at 7 p.m., will round out the bulk of the pre-Independence Day celebrations. The concert headliner Dustin Lynch, featuring Brandon Jones, will have tickets on sale May 5.
The Roughrider Days Fair & Expo will conclude its week of festivities with a fireworks display on Tuesday, July 4 at 10 p.m.
In a previous interview with The Dickinson Press, Clint Volk, past-president, concert chair and parade co-chair, noted that over the past several years, they’ve noticed a declining number of cars for the Demolition Derby. Many contestants voiced their concerns to the commission, saying that it would be more ideal if the derby was moved outside of the Fourth of July weekend.
This year's Derby will be held on July 9.
Visitors are encouraged to mark their calendars and make plans to attend this amazing event, which offers a range of activities with something for everyone. For a map of the parade lineup and route, visit roughriderdaysfair.com/maps . For additional details and a complete schedule, visit roughriderdaysfair.com or view the latest updates on the Roughrider Days Facebook page.
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