What the Days of 76 Rodeo Queen Contest Is
The Days of 76 Rodeo Queen Contest in Deadwood chooses the young women who represent the Days of 76 PRCA rodeo, the city of Deadwood and the sport of rodeo for a year. Three titles are awarded: Miss Days of 76, Jr. Miss Days of 76 and Days of 76 Princess. The Days of 76 handbook describes a titleholder as a talented, personable horsewoman with a vast knowledge of rodeo, the Days of 76 and Deadwood history. The 2027 contest is Sunday, July 25, 2027 at 9 a.m. at the Days of 76 Museum and Arena, 18 76th Dr, Deadwood, during the July 25 to 31 Days of 76 week.
Divisions and Who Can Enter
| Title | Age (on the day of the pageant) |
|---|---|
| Miss Days of 76 | 18 to 26 |
| Jr. Miss Days of 76 | 13 to 17 |
| Days of 76 Princess | 8 to 12 |
- A contestant may not have been married or pregnant or have a child, and may not become engaged, married or pregnant during her reign.
- Every contestant must pay the entry fee or have it sponsored, and sign the consents, waivers and a statement that she has read the handbook.
- A reigning titleholder who wants to move up an age division must wait one title year first.
- Contestants bring their own horse for horsemanship and provide their own transportation.
- An adult must be available to accompany every contestant under 18, and parents sit in the audience after check-in.
How the Contest Works
The Princess contestants go through the same events as the older divisions, with age-appropriate content.
- Check-in, orientation and a private photo shoot (a standing, a sitting and an action photo), plus a head-and-shoulders photo submitted in advance.
- Fashion Forward, a fun party-style outfit, and Western Glamour, a long formal western dress with an impromptu speech.
- A closed personal interview (12 minutes for seniors, 8 for juniors, 5 for princesses) and a public media interview with three or four questions.
- A written test for Miss and Jr. Miss contestants on tack, horses, rodeo terminology, PRCA rules, current events and Deadwood history.
- Horsemanship: a set pattern, a presentation ride, a judge-chosen second pattern and a horsemanship interview. Riders use a western saddle with split reins, no chaps, and spurs are optional. Miss and Jr. Miss contestants present the flag.
- Coronation, where the handbook has contestants mounted on their horses. Contestants also vote among themselves for a Miss Congeniality award that does not count in the score.
Scoring
| Category | Miss and Jr. Miss | Princess |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | 22.08% | 24.77% |
| Personality | 22.92% | 24.77% |
| Knowledge | 25% | 24.77% |
| Horsemanship | 30% | 25.69% |
A tie goes to the higher horsemanship score. Judges' decisions are final, and a secret judge may observe behavior and manners outside the scored events.
What a Titleholder Gets and Does
- The title runs from coronation until the next queen is crowned the following July. Titleholders attend rodeo performances, both parades, autograph signings and interviews.
- The senior and junior queens stay through the rest of Days of 76 week. A room is sponsored for those who are not local.
- Titleholders pay for their own western attire and are expected to help find sponsors and prizes for the next year's contest.
- Scholarship funds, awards and gifts tied to the title must be returned if a queen is dismissed or forfeits.
- Past champions have gone on to Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Teen Miss Rodeo South Dakota and Miss Rodeo America. The 2026 titleholders were Bethany Behrendt of Farmington, Minnesota (Miss), Keaton Keil of Pierre (Jr. Miss) and Mariah Todd of Whitewood (Princess).
Dates and Where
Contest: Sunday, July 25, 2027, 9 a.m., Days of 76 Museum and Arena, 18 76th Dr, Deadwood, SD 57732. Coronation: Monday, July 26, 2027, 9 a.m., Outlaw Square, 703 Main St, Deadwood. Queen autograph sessions follow in Outlaw Square on the evenings of July 27 and 28. The Days of 76 week itself runs July 25 to 31, 2027, with tickets on sale in February 2027.
Questions
Do I need my own horse?
Yes. Contestants provide the horse for horsemanship, and they are judged on how they cue it, not on the horse's ability.
Can a parent stay with me during the contest?
After check-in parents sit in the audience. One adult may help with clothing changes.
Can I use my phone?
No. Phones and devices stay put away throughout the contest, and using a family member's device is also not allowed.
Is there a fee?
An entry fee is required unless a sponsor covers it. Check the current application for the amount.
Official Links
- Days of 76 tickets and schedule: 2027 dates and contest times
- Contest handbook, rules and regulations
- Meet our Rodeo Queens
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
- Days of 76 Rodeo
Days of 76 Rodeo and Parades in Deadwood is scheduled July 25 to 31, 2027, with PRCA rodeo performances Wednesday through Saturday nights and free parades on Main Street.
- Days of 76 PRCA Steer Roping
A free PRCA steer roping event opens Days of 76 week on July 25, 2027, starting at 8 AM at the Days of 76 Arena in Deadwood.
76th Dr, Deadwood, SD 57732 | Organizer: Days of 76 Official event details - Days of 76 WPRA Barrel Racing Slack
WPRA barrel racers run the slack on July 26, 2027, at 8 AM at the Days of 76 Arena in Deadwood; admission is free.
76th Dr, Deadwood, SD 57732 | Organizer: Days of 76 Official event details - Days of 76 Rodeo Queen Coronation
The 2027 Miss Days of 76, Jr Miss Days of 76 and Days of 76 Princess are crowned July 26, 2027, at 9 AM in Outlaw Square on Deadwood's Main Street.
- Days of 76 Timed Event Slack
PRCA and WPRA contestants run team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down and breakaway roping on July 27, 2027; the top 12 in each event return for the evening rodeo. Free admission.
76th Dr, Deadwood, SD 57732 | Organizer: Days of 76 Official event details
All South Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.