BELLE FOURCHE—With just one week away from the Fourth of July celebration, it is time to start making plans! The definite highlight of the week is the 7-time PRCA Medium Outdoor Rodeo of the Year Black Hills Roundup Rodeo taking place July 1-4. Rodeo tickets are expected to sell out, so get tickets soon if you want to attend! There is also a full slate of events planned throughout the week.
Beginning on June 29, the royalty comes to town. Competition for the next Black Hills Royal Court starts on the morning of June 29 and continues all day with horsemanship taking place at the Roundup Arena at 3 p.m. The public is invited to watch.
There will also be visiting royalty in town for the celebration, including Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Madison Arnold; Teen Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Taryan Thompson; Miss Rodeo Mississippi, Brinkley Boswell; Miss Black Hills Stock Show, Anna Bossman; Jr Miss Rodeo Aberdeen, Kinley Olson; Jr Miss Days of 76, Ella Roberts; Miss Faith Stock Show, Sadie Sonn; Miss Newell Labor Day Rodeo, Rachel Stranberg; and Perkins Co. 4-H Rodeo, Avery Geffre. They will be roaming around Belle Fourche signing autographs, reading to kids at the library and conducting a scavenger hunt in downtown Belle.
June 30 brings the 17th Annual Ranch Rodeo to the Roundup Arena beginning at 7 p.m. Although the activities at the rodeo grounds start much earlier, beginning at 5 p.m. there is a free Ag Committee BBQ. Then the little cowboys and cowgirls take center stage as they ride sheep in the Mutton Bustin’ beginning at 5:45 p.m. At 6 p.m. is the coronation of the new Miss Black Hills Roundup and at 6:30 p.m. the introduction of Ranch Rodeo Teams and the Cowboy Auction begins. Around 10:30 p.m. the Wilt Brothers will play live music for a dance.
At the Herrmann Park bandshell, the United States Air Force Academy Band will put on a free concert called America the Beautiful. This is their first stop on their national tour, so come and listen to them play at 7 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets to sit on for the evening.
On July 1 the first PRCA event begins at 8 a.m. with slack. Three rounds of steer roping will take place. There is no fee to watch slack.
Opening at 4 p.m. and going until 11 p.m., the Midway by Midway West Amusements carnival comes to town. They will bring rides, food and games to downtown Belle Fourche on Railroad Street. You have until June 30 to get early bird carnival passes for $30 available to purchase at Pioneer Bank, First Interstate Bank, Tri-State Museum, Northern Hills FCU or Highmark FCU.
Belle Fourche Cowboy Band will be playing at Herrmann Park at 5 p.m. Hosted by the Belle Fourche Arts Council, the event is free.
The first full performance of the Black Hills Roundup Rodeo is Family Night and it begins at 7 p.m. However, get there a little early if you want to watch Mutton Bustin’, which begins at 6:45 p.m. Special grand entries and entertainment are being planned. Rodeo announcers are Steve Goedert and Andy Seiler.
At 10 p.m. Dakota Country will play live music at the rodeo dance.
July 2 starts bright and early with 8 a.m. slack. The women will dominate this performance with breakaway and barrel racing events being held. Slack is free to watch.
At 2 p.m. the Dinosaurs of Hell Creek Museum will host an educational seminar about Thomas Jefferson, the first American paleontologist.
The Midway carnival opens at 4 p.m. and runs to 11 p.m. in downtown Belle.
Starting at 6 p.m., the Hometown Thursdays concert series will feature Williams & Wright. There will be vendors and food trucks. Located behind the Tri-State Museum.
Put on your pink shirts for the second PRCA Rodeo Performance at 7 p.m. for Tough Enough To Wear Pink night. Matt Merritt is bringing his humor and skills to the Roundup arena as the rodeo clown and barrelman.
Following the rodeo, fireworks will light up the night. Expect an extra special show in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
Dakota Country will play the rodeo dance following fireworks.
July 3 brings the last slack performance starting at 8 a.m. This round focuses on steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping.
The Midway Carnival starts a little earlier today, opening at 1 p.m. and running through 11 p.m. The third round of Black Hills Roundup PRCA Rodeo brings Chutes for Charity Night beginning at 7 p.m. This performance will feature the high school bronc challenge. After the rodeo ends, another night of fireworks begins. Live music dance begins following the fireworks display.
The Fourth of July, happy 250th America! The day starts with the Belle Fourche Rodeo Run beginning at 7 a.m. in Herrmann Park. The run has both 5K and 10K distances. To bring attention to first responders, local law enforcement officers will be running in this race, some will be dressed in full duty kit. Proceeds will go to youth sports and activities in the Belle Fourche area.
The Fourth of July parade will begin moving along the designated parade route at 10:30 a.m. This year’s theme is Home of the Brave. Expect colorful floats, horses, music, marching bands and queens along with many more exciting participants! Grab lawn chairs and prepare to enjoy the sights as they pass in front of you!
The Midway Carnival opens at 1 p.m. through 11 p.m.
The fourth and final performance of the 107th Black Hills Roundup Rodeo begins at 3 p.m. Military and first responders will be honored. Expect a fun celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday. There will be patriotism, pageantry and of course world-class rodeo action!
July 5—If your family is looking for one last fun event to end the holiday, then look no further than the Dinosaurs of the Hell Creek Museum. On July 5 they are having their second annual Raptor Roundup beginning at 10 a.m. The events are aimed at kids aged 5 to 12. There will be Dino races, comet dodgeball, Stegosaurus archery and other fun events. Dressing in a dinosaur costume will get kids in free.
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