What the Central States Fair and Rodeo Is
The Central States Fair is Rapid City's annual nine-night fair, produced by Central States Fair, Inc. at the Central States Fairgrounds. It pairs a carnival midway and free-stage entertainment with livestock shows, culinary competitions, motorsports, concerts and a three-night PRCA rodeo. The fair is held every August; the most recent edition ran August 21 to 29, 2026, and the next is set for August 20 to 28, 2027.
The Rodeos
PRCA Range Days Rodeo
Three nights of professional rodeo in the LEI Arena: bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and team and tie-down roping. In 2026 the nights were August 23 to 25; in 2027 they are August 22 to 24. Each night has a theme:
- Sunday: Military Appreciation. Military with proper ID, their immediate family members and DOD cardholders got free gate admission and free admission to the rodeo.
- Monday: Ag Appreciation, honoring rural neighbors.
- Tuesday: First Responders Appreciation. First responders with ID and their immediate family got free gate and rodeo admission.
PRCA Xtreme Broncs Finals
One night of championship bronc riding the day after the Range Days Rodeo ends (August 26 in 2026, August 25 in 2027), with riders chasing big scores and a Finals title.
A Typical Fair Night
| Time | What opens |
|---|---|
| Fair entrance | 12 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday; 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday |
| 4 p.m. | Tailgate party (VIP and Premier pass holders only) |
| 5 p.m. / 5:30 p.m. / 6 p.m. | VIP, Premier and Grandstand seating open |
| 7 p.m. | Showtime |
| 10 p.m. | No admission or re-entry |
| 12 a.m. | Fair closes |
General admission seating is first come, first served. A pass covers all nine nights of entertainment at one price; ticket and pass options are sold through the fair's ticket link.
Other Events Around the Fair
- Motorsports: ArenaCross and Freestyle MotoX on opening night, August 21, 2026, and the Mountain States Ford Demolition Derby the next evening. In 2027 these fall on August 20 and 21.
- Livestock: the Pen of Three Show, held August 26, 2026, is for cattle producers to show the quality of their breeding program. Entry was $40 per pen, with a limit of two pens per division per consignor, and divisions for heifer calves, steer calves, bred heifers and bull calves. Added premiums paid $200, $175, $105 and $70 for first through fourth in each division, and $500 to the overall champion. Registration ran 8 to 9:30 a.m., cattle had to be penned by 9:30 a.m., and calves had to be born after January 1, 2025. Cattle need a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian dated within 30 days of the show.
- Midway and shows: Carnival Americana rides, free-stage bands, culinary competitions and more.
Where
Central States Fairgrounds, 800 San Francisco St., Rapid City, SD 57701. From I-90, take Exit 59 and travel south on LaCrosse Street about 2.5 miles. From Highway 79, travel north to Centre Street and turn left. The trailer exhibitors' entrance is on the west end of the event center. The fair office phone is 605-355-3861.
Questions
Is there a discount for military or first responders?
Yes. In 2026 military and first responders with proper ID, and their immediate families, got free gate admission and free rodeo admission on their appreciation nights.
What time does the rodeo start?
Showtime is 7 p.m., with grandstand seating opening at 6 p.m.
Can I buy one ticket for the whole run?
The fair sells a pass that includes all nine nights of entertainment.
Where do I send a livestock entry?
Pen of Three entry forms were emailed to the fair's livestock contact or mailed to the Central States Fair office at 800 San Francisco St., Rapid City, SD 57701.
Official Links
- PRCA Range Days Rodeo
- PRCA Xtreme Broncs Finals
- Pen of Three Show
- Directions and contact
- Visit Rapid City: Central States Fair
- Travel South Dakota: fairs
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 Farm Bureau Annual Convention
The 109th convention, Nov. 20-21, 2026, at The Box Events Center in Box Elder, brings farmers and ranchers together to set policy and honor members; Flint Rasmussen entertains at the banquet.
Box Elder, SD | 1-605-353-8054 | Organizer: South Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo
Western heritage event in Rapid City with livestock shows, PRCA rodeo performances and Western entertainment, drawing more than 330,000 visitors; the next run is Jan. 29 to Feb. 6, 2027.
- Black Hills Stock Show Youth Day
4-H and non-4-H youth ages 8 to 18 compete in livestock judging, livestock skillathon, hippology, beef cook-off and horse quiz bowl; registration runs December 2026 to Jan. 27, 2027.
444 N Mt Rushmore Rd, Rapid City, SD 57701 | Organizer: South Dakota 4-H, SDSU Extension Official event details - Central States Fair
Nine-day regional agriculture and livestock fair established in 1945 at the Central States Fairgrounds in Rapid City; the most recent dates were Aug. 21-29, 2026.
800 San Francisco Street, Rapid City, SD 57701 Official event details - South Dakota State FFA Leadership Development Events
Held each year; the most recent dates were Dec. 7-8, 2025. Over 600 FFA members from eight districts competed in leadership contests and met industry leaders at a Career Expo in Box Elder.
Box Elder, SD | Organizer: South Dakota FFA Official event details
All South Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.