South Dakota's Big Three: State Fair, Stock Show and Days of '76
Beyond county Achievement Days, South Dakota's biggest livestock and rodeo gatherings are the South Dakota State Fair in Huron, the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo in Rapid City, and the Days of '76 Rodeo in Deadwood. Each serves a different crowd: junior exhibitors at the fair, ranchers and buyers in Rapid City, and rodeo fans in the Black Hills in July.
South Dakota State Fair, Huron
The fair is held at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron over Labor Day weekend. The 2026 fair ran September 2-7, and the SDSU Extension State Fair page lists Wednesday, September 1 through Monday, September 6 for 2027. Travel South Dakota lists gate hours of 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, and adult admission at $10 daily with youth ages 6-15 at $5 and ages 5 and under free. Confirm current prices before you go.
Junior livestock at the fair
The 2026 State Fair event guide shows how the junior shows are laid out. Typical placement in 2026:
- Wednesday. FFA Beef Show at 1 p.m.
- Thursday. 4-H Breeding and Market Meat Goat and Dairy Goat shows at 8:30 a.m., and the South Dakota Born and Bred Market Lamb Show at 6 p.m.
- Friday. 4-H Breeding Sheep Showmanship and Show at 8:30 a.m., and the Junior Beef Breeds Team Fitting Contest at 6 p.m.
- Saturday. 4-H Swine Show and Showmanship and the 4-H Market Beef Show at 8:30 a.m., plus FFA meat goat, sheep and rabbit shows.
- Sunday. 4-H Dairy Cattle, Market Sheep and Breeding Heifer shows at 8:30 a.m.
- Monday. FFA Swine Show at 7:30 a.m., 4-H Rabbit Show and 4-H Beef Showmanship at 8 a.m.
The state fair results page also lists Beginner, Junior and Senior showmanship and a Premier Exhibitor contest for each species. Rodeo and horse events in 2026 included the SD Timed Event Championship Rodeo on Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m., a Ranch Rodeo Sunday at 11 a.m., breakaway and team roping, cutting horse competition and stock dog trials.
How to get there as a 4-H member
Members qualify through their county Achievement Days. State deadlines from the 4-H event deadlines page are: online enrollment May 31, market animal DNA and online animal ID June 1, Youth Livestock Literacy July 1 and FairEntry registration August 1. The page notes these deadlines have no exceptions. Market sheep and goats, beef and swine require RFID tags, and market animals need a DNA sample on file. Registered or purebred animals need papers uploaded by August 1 and available at check-in.
Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo, Rapid City
According to Travel South Dakota, the show was established in 1959 and runs from late January into early February; the 2027 dates are listed as January 29 to February 6. It takes place at the Central States Fairgrounds and The Monument, 444 Mt. Rushmore Road North, with about 120 livestock, horse and rodeo events, competitions for 10 cattle breeds, 14 horse events, ranch rodeos, sheep dog trials, livestock sales, a Western art show and more than 300 vendors. It is billed as the region's largest trade show and has been recognized as a top indoor PRCA rodeo, including in 2023.
Youth Day
South Dakota 4-H hosts Black Hills Stock Show Youth Day on Saturday, February 6, 2027, at The Monument and the Walter Taylor 4-H Building. It is open to 4-H and non-4-H youth who are at least 8 by January 1, 2027 and not yet 19. Contests are Livestock Judging (individual and team), Livestock Skillathon, Hippology, Beef Cook-Off and a team-only Horse Quiz Bowl. Registration opens in December 2026 and closes January 27, 2027.
Days of '76 Rodeo, Deadwood
The Days of '76 is held in Deadwood in late July. Travel South Dakota lists rodeo performances Wednesday through Saturday nights with a Saturday afternoon performance, and free parades on Historic Main Street on Friday and Saturday. The listing shows July 25-31, 2027, so confirm the performance schedule before booking. The rodeo has been named PRCA Midsize Rodeo of the Year 14 times between 2004 and 2017 and Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year in 2020.
State 4-H Rodeo
SDSU Extension also lists a State 4-H Rodeo among its state competitions, with documents and forms on its competitions page. The page does not give dates, so ask your county 4-H office.
Planning Tips
- Book fair and Deadwood lodging well ahead, since both fill up.
- Confirm schedules a few weeks before: both State Fair pages noted dates for different years.
- Register juniors for Youth Day early; the deadline falls in late January.
- Check state fair barn hours and who handles stalls before hauling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-4-H kids go to Youth Day?
Yes, it is open to all youth in the age range above.
Do I need a county ribbon for the State Fair?
Codington County's packet says a youth must earn a county ribbon placing in that species or lot to exhibit at State Fair.
Where is the State Fair?
At the State Fairgrounds in Huron, in northeast South Dakota.
South Dakota Listings Covered by This Guide
- 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 - Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo
A four-day PRCA rodeo at Stampede Park in Mitchell, July 15-18, 2027, with nightly 8 PM performances. Mitchell has hosted it since 1971.
- 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 - 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 Rodeo Queen Contest
Young women compete on July 25, 2027 for the titles of Miss Days of 76, Jr Miss Days of 76 and Days of 76 Princess, starting at 9 AM at the museum and arena.
- 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 - Days of 76 Rodeo Queen Autographs
Each evening July 27-31, 2027, fans meet Miss Days of 76, Miss Rodeo South Dakota and visiting state queens for photos and autographs in Outlaw Square, 7 to 11 PM.
- Central States Fair and Rodeo
Central States Fair and Rodeo in Rapid City ran August 21 to 29, 2026, the Black Hills area's major fair with a rodeo and livestock shows. Held each year in late August.
- Back When They Bucked
Held each year; the most recent date was May 24, 2026, the sixth year. A PRCA Xtreme Saddle Bronc Match with 32 cowboys and a high school rodeo match raise funds for the Western Legacy Foundation.
Deadwood, SD | Organizer: Western Legacy Foundation Official event details - Casey Tibbs Match of Champions
Held each year; the most recent date was June 6, 2026, at 5 PM at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre, named for the local world champion Casey Tibbs.
310 Casey Tibbs Street, Fort Pierre, SD 57532 Official event details - South Dakota High School Finals Rodeo
Held each year; the most recent dates were June 16-21, 2026, the 77th year. High school rodeo athletes compete for state titles at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre.
- Fort Pierre 4th of July Rodeo
Held each year; the most recent run was June 30 to July 4, 2026, the 100th rodeo, with SDRA/NRCA-sanctioned performances July 3-4 plus a boat parade, parade and fireworks.
- Rope, Ride and Slide Rodeo
Held each year; the most recent date was June 30, 2026, at 7 PM, opening Fort Pierre's Fourth of July rodeo week at the Stanley County Fairgrounds.
310 Casey Tibbs Street, Fort Pierre, SD 57532 Official event details - Black Hills Roundup
Black Hills Roundup in Belle Fourche, now in its 107th year, offers four days of PRCA rodeo, a ranch rodeo, carnival, concerts, parade and fireworks. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 1 to 4, 2026.
Belle Fourche, SD Official event details - Perkins County Fair and Rodeo
Free-admission agricultural fair and rodeo at the Perkins County Fairgrounds in Bison, run by the Perkins County Fair Association; the most recent dates were July 31 to Aug. 2, 2026.
400 West Carr Street, Bison, SD 57620 | Organizer: Perkins County Fair Association Official event details - Sully County Fair and Rodeo
Three-day Sully County fair in Onida featuring a rodeo, chili and rib cookoff, poker run and kids activities; the most recent dates were Aug. 14-16, 2026, and the fair returns each year.
Onida, SD 57564 Official event details - Ludeman Memorial Team Roping
Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug. 29-30, 2026. A memorial team roping at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre.
310 Casey Tibbs Street, Fort Pierre, SD 57532 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.
- Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash at the South Dakota State Fair
Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 2, 2026, at 8 PM on opening day of the State Fair. A bull riding event named for the rodeo champion Tuff Hedeman.
- Value-Added Ag Day at the South Dakota State Fair
Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 3, 2026, marking 27 years of the partnership. Fairgoers meet farmers, ranchers and specialty producers, with food demonstrations and an ice cream social.
- South Dakota Timed Event Championship Rodeo
Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 5, 2026, starting at 10 AM during the State Fair. Contestants chase the state title in timed rodeo events at the Huron fairgrounds.
- South Dakota Farmers Union Day at the State Fair
Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 5, 2026. Farmers Union members are recognized at the State Fair on the same Saturday as the Timed Event Championship Rodeo.
- South Dakota State Fair Ranch Rodeo
Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 6, 2026, at 11 AM. Working ranch teams compete in cowboy-style events at the Huron fairgrounds during the final weekend of the State Fair.
- South Dakota Soybean Day at the State Fair
Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 6, 2026. The State Fair designates a day to honor South Dakota soybean growers, running alongside the Ranch Rodeo and pie eating contest.
- South Dakota State Fair Draft Horse Show
Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 7, 2026, at 10 AM. Teams of draft horses are shown on the last day of the State Fair, the same day as the truck and tractor pull.
- James Hicks Memorial Bull Riding
Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 19, 2026. Bull riders compete in a memorial event at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre.
310 Casey Tibbs Street, Fort Pierre, SD 57532 Official event details - Cinch Playoffs - The Governor's Cup
Held in 2026 Sept. 25-27 as the richest rodeo in South Dakota history, with a purse over $1.5 million and a last chance for PRCA athletes to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo.
1201 N. West Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 | (605) 367-7288 | Organizer: PRCA, Experience Sioux Falls and Cinch Official event details
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.