What the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Is
The Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo is a four-day, PRCA-sanctioned rodeo in Mitchell, South Dakota. It draws more than 12,000 fans from across the United States and Canada and takes its name from the Corn Palace, the city's landmark corn-mural building. Mitchell has hosted it since 1971. Beyond the arena it is a community weekend with a Main Street parade, a chili cook-off, a family day and a kids' sheep ride, all run by a volunteer rodeo committee.
The Schedule (2027 Edition)
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, July 13 | Community Kick-Off BBQ, 5 p.m., free admission, with community awards and recognition |
| Thursday, July 15 | Extreme Bulls, 8 p.m. |
| Friday, July 16 | First PRCA rodeo performance, 8 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 17 | Rodeo Parade at 10:30 a.m. on Main Street; second PRCA rodeo performance, 8 p.m. |
| Sunday, July 18 | Cowboy Church 10 a.m.; Family Fun Day and Chili Cook-Off 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; third PRCA rodeo performance, 8 p.m. |
The PRCA performances feature bareback bronc riding, calf roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Mutton bustin is held at every performance.
Ways to Take Part
Mutton Bustin (kids 4 to 6)
- The child must be 4 to 6 years old and weigh under 60 pounds.
- Committee members place riders on the sheep. A rider takes a wool hold with one or two hands and must ride six seconds to score.
- Contestants and their one helper in the chute area must dress western, with long sleeves and western boots. Helmets are provided and spurs are not allowed.
- Entry forms are picked up from sponsor locations starting June 1, 2027 and must be returned to a sponsor by July 1, 2027. Sponsors include Martin-Trudeau Insurance, 1531 W Elm Ave, Mitchell (605-996-3106), and M and H, 201 West Havens Street, Mitchell (605-996-5761).
- Openings are limited and riders are drawn at random. Families of chosen riders are contacted; others are not.
Rodeo Parade
The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at 9th and Main, heads south to 1st Avenue, east one block to Lawler Street and north on Lawler to 7th Street. Entrants pick up their numbers, map and guidelines from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at the 12th and Main parking lot. Registration closes July 14, 2027, and entries compete in categories such as best use of theme, horse drawn, commercial, retail, equestrian, youth, antique and humorous. The parade is free to watch.
Chili Cook-Off
- No registration fee, limited to 25 campsites, with a minimum of 10 gallons of chili made over an open fire at the rodeo grounds.
- Shotgun start at 7 a.m., judging at 10:30 a.m., and serving to the public at 11 a.m. Fireplaces and grates are provided and teams bring their own wood. About 10 pounds of ground beef goes to the first 20 entrants.
- Prizes: $400 for first, $250 for second, $150 for third, plus $200 for People's Choice and $200 for Best Camp.
- Visitors buy a $2 chili cup and can sample all the chili they want.
Tickets and Fees
E-tix is the only official online ticketing partner, and fans are warned against other online vendors. General admission tickets are also sold at County Fair Food Store (1305 W Havens, Mitchell), Coborn's (1800 N Main St, Mitchell) and Parkston Food Center (Hwy 44, Parkston). Reserved tickets are sold at County Fair Food Store. Family Fun Day is free and open to the public.
Where
Stampede Park, 6320 North Ohlman Street, Mitchell, SD, on Highway 37 North west of the Mitchell airport. A rodeo parking map is posted on the event site.
Questions
Which night is the bull riding night?
Thursday, July 15 is the Extreme Bulls performance, and bull riding is also part of the PRCA performances.
Does it cost anything to enter the parade or chili cook-off?
The chili cook-off has no registration fee. The parade is free to watch, and entrants register online or by printable form by July 14.
What time do performances start?
8 p.m. nightly.
Who do I contact?
The rodeo committee, PO Box 177, Mitchell, SD 57301, through the contacts page on the event site.
Official Links
- Corn Palace Stampede: 2027 dates and tickets
- About CPS
- PRCA rodeo performances
- Mutton bustin rules and sign-up
- Rodeo parade
- Chili cook-off
- Family Fun Day
- Community Kick-Off BBQ
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
- Corn Palace Stampede Extreme Bulls
Bull riding opens the Stampede weekend on Thursday, July 15, 2027, at 8 PM at Stampede Park in Mitchell, before three PRCA rodeo performances.
6320 North Ohlman Street, Mitchell, SD | Organizer: Corn Palace Stampede Official event details - Corn Palace Stampede Parade
The rodeo parade travels down Mitchell's Main Street on the Saturday of Stampede weekend, July 17, 2027.
Mitchell, SD | Organizer: Corn Palace Stampede Official event details - Corn Palace Stampede Chili Cook-off and Family Fun Day
Sunday of Stampede weekend, July 18, 2027, brings a chili cook-off contest and Family Fun Day in Mitchell alongside the final PRCA rodeo performance.
Mitchell, SD | Organizer: Corn Palace Stampede Official event details - Dakotafest
Outdoor three-day Northern Plains farm show east of Mitchell with more than 400 exhibitors and demonstrations; the latest show ran Aug. 18-20, 2026.
- Corn Palace Festival
Corn Palace Festival in Mitchell ran August 26 to 30, 2026, taking over several blocks of Main Street around the Corn Palace. Held each year in late August.
Mitchell, SD Official event details
All South Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.