What the Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash Is
The Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash is a two-night professional bull riding event in the grandstand at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron. It is built around Tuff Hedeman, a four-time world champion bull rider and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer, who brings his annual Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour to the fair with 24 of the top cowboys. In 2026 it opened the fair on Channel Seeds Opening Day.
How the Two Nights Work
| Night | What happens |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, Sept. 2, 8 p.m. | Tuff's "Bounty Bull" night |
| Thursday, Sept. 3, 8 p.m. | Tournament-style event and the "Shoot Out" round, where the bulk of the prize money, the championship title and custom prizes are awarded |
Each evening is about two hours of bull riding played out as a sudden-death-style tournament.
American Hero Award
The Red Wilk Construction American Hero Award is presented during the event on Wednesday, September 2 and Thursday, September 3. Since 2013 Red Wilk and his family have honored more than 100 veterans across South Dakota with the award.
Tickets and Cost
- Tickets were $25 for adults and $15 for youth up to age 15.
- Tickets are sold through the State Fair's online ticket site, linked from the grandstand page at sdstatefair.com.
- Presale ran first for backrest signage holders and Friends of the Fair, May 11 to 14, 2026, and tickets went on sale to the general public at 8:00 a.m. CT on Tuesday, May 19.
- Friends of the Fair is a State Fair Foundation program with presale access to grandstand reserved seating and standing room tickets, along with complimentary daily gate admission passes and early access to VIP table sales.
- Backrest signage lets businesses or individuals put signage on a grandstand backrest and buy tickets for that seating area before general sales.
Grandstand tickets are separate from fairgrounds gate admission. Daily gate admission in 2026 was $10 for adults and $5 for youth ages 6 to 15, or $8 and $4 in advance. Gate admission is free after 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and after 3 p.m. Monday.
Where and How to Get There
The Grandstand at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds, 1060 3rd St. SW, Huron, SD 57350. A free park-and-ride shuttle runs from the Advanced Sunflower lot at the Huron Mall to Gate 3, every 30 minutes. The fair also publishes a fairgrounds map in its event guide.
Who Is It For
This is a spectator event, so anyone can buy a ticket. It suits families with kids, because youth tickets are priced separately, and riders and bull fans who want a look at a touring pro field in the same week as the state's biggest ag fair. The second night, with the Shoot Out, is where the championship is decided.
Questions
When does it start?
Both nights are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Central.
Is it one night or two?
Two: Wednesday, September 2 and Thursday, September 3, 2026.
How many riders are in the field?
Tuff Hedeman brings 24 of the top cowboys on his tour.
Who do I call?
The State Fair office at (605) 353-7340 or (800) 529-0900. The ticket office is (866) 605-FAIR or (605) 353-6690.
Official Links
- State Fair announcement of the 2026 Bull Bash
- Grandstand entertainment and tickets
- 2026 official State Fair schedule
- 2026 State Fair event guide
- South Dakota State Fair
Major South Dakota Stock Shows and Rodeos: The Essentials
South Dakota's three marquee events are the State Fair in Huron, the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo in Rapid City, and the Days of '76 Rodeo in Deadwood.
State Fair
Held in Huron over Labor Day weekend: September 2-7 in 2026 and September 1-6 listed for 2027. 4-H and FFA members show beef, sheep, swine, goats, dairy, rabbits and poultry. 4-H deadlines are firm: enrollment May 31, ID and DNA June 1, YLL July 1, FairEntry August 1.
Black Hills Stock Show
Established in 1959 in Rapid City, listed for January 29 to February 6, 2027, with about 120 livestock, horse and rodeo events. Youth Day on February 6, 2027 offers judging, Skillathon, Hippology and a Beef Cook-Off.
Days of '76
A PRCA rodeo in Deadwood in late July, with free parades on Main Street Friday and Saturday.
Read the full guide: Major South Dakota Stock Shows and Rodeos
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention
Held each year; the most recent dates were Dec. 10-11, 2025, the 110th convention. Family farmers and ranchers gather in Huron for policy sessions that guide the organization.
Huron, SD | Organizer: South Dakota Farmers Union Official event details - South Dakota 4-H State Horse Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 13-15, 2026. Youth compete in showmanship, equitation, reining, barrel racing and pole bending, plus hippology and horse judging contests.
- Beadle County 4-H Achievement Days
Huron hosted Beadle County 4-H Achievement Days July 27-29, 2026, where clubs such as the Wolsey Cardinal Clovers earned awards for project and livestock exhibits.
Huron, SD | Organizer: SDSU Extension Beadle County 4-H Official event details - South Dakota State Fair
South Dakota State Fair in Huron ran September 2 to 7, 2026, with livestock shows, 4-H state competitions, ranch rodeo and timed event rodeo. Held each year around Labor Day.
- South Dakota State Fair FFA Livestock Shows
Held each year; the most recent dates were Sept. 5-7, 2026. FFA members exhibit breeding and market sheep, meat goats, rabbits, swine, dairy cattle and dairy goats in the State Fair barns at Huron.
All South Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.