How it all started… Roughrider Days !

"Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead.” --Nelson Mandela

A western tradition…then and now Roughrider Days From inception, nearly 45 years ago, the annual festival has been considered the premiere 4 th of July celebration! Responsible for coordinating the massive celebration is the Roughrider Commission. These dedicated men and women volunteer year round to create an experience for all who attend!

Roughrider Days Arena Action!

The reason for the festival… A way for area business owners to thank residents and visitors for their business!

Rodeo is part of our history… For years, rodeo has entertained people from coast to coast. In southwest North Dakota, however, rodeo is a way of life. Rodeo has always been a favorited entertainment for area residents as far back as 1952 with the Match of Champions through Today, rodeo continues to showcase all the fire and fiery a sport can offer with outstanding stock and the toughest of cowboys and cowgirls.

A humble start… Roughrider Days was originally called “Roughrider Festival”. Celebration planning took ten years before the event first kicked-off. First festival was held July 2-4, 1970.

Early Roughrider Days Faces…

As the Roughrider Festival grew the rodeo event built its reputation and was recognized as one of the best performances in the Midwest Region. In the early 1970’s, the Roughrider Rodeo delivered the largest purse of any state rodeo in 15 years and attracted over 230 contestants from 25 states and Canada.

Early Roughrider Days Faces…

Festival changes… In 1974, the Roughrider Festival officially changed to Roughrider Days. Due to safety reasons in the early 1980’s the use of the Schnell Livestock Rodeo Arena became an uncertainty and in 1982 the Roughrider Commission went to work in search of a new site.

15 th Annual Roughrider Days Celebration The 15 th Annual Celebration kicked off in July of 1985 with record crowds. Ron Privratsky served as president of the Roughrider Commission. Celebration events included Shrine Circus, Wrangler Country Music Showdown, Barn Dance featuring “Midnight Ride”, Tractor and pickup pull, Roughrider Rodeo Sosondowah Summer Theater, Softball Games, Street Dances, Hollis Dietz 10,000 Meter Run and MORE!

Roughrider Days Arena Action!

Under the leadership of Commission President Bob Hughes, the use of the property on the DSU Campus was secured and has served as home for the celebration since then. Bob Aber, Beach, ND, provided stock for the celebration for the first 16 years until the Roughrider Commission entered an agreement with Ervin Korkow Rodeos of Blunt, SD. Korkow has provided the rodeo stock since 1986.

Local men WIN Ralph Roshau and Duwanye Schwindt, both local cowboys, WON the Roughrider Days Team Roping Championship July 8, 1975.

Home to the best… This arena has been the home for many rodeo professionals. The best cowboys and cowgirls from all over the world have competed here to win the crown.

Festival grows… As the Festival grew, events, including outdoor concerts were held. Young rockers were entertained in July 1981 by The Tunes! Lead vocalist, Mitch Malloy, along with Todd Zeller, Dean Pavlicek, Mike Magnuson, Jim Larson, Tim Wheeler and Holly Malloy entertained under the stars!

Roughrider Days Faces…

1991 celebration biggest ever… The 21 st Annual Roughrider Days Celebration turned out to be the biggest one ever with over 100 area events being held over eight days! “Something for everyone!” is how Travis Haakedahl, Roughrider Days President, described it in an interview with the Dickinson Press.

Roughrider Days Faces…

Volunteers and sponsors… “It takes a village to raise a child,” a widely used old proverb. This is true when it comes to hosting a celebration of this magnitude. An enormous amount of time and energy goes into planning, as well as, financial demands require attention. It is through the generous support of sponsors and the many volunteers that Roughrider Days continues to entertain people from all over the world.

Dickinson Roughrider Commission Hats Off on a Job Well Done!

These are the last rodeo performances to be held in the Roughrider/DSU Outdoor arena. Since the early 1980s, this arena has hosted many PRCA Rodeo Performances, as well as, Roughrider Days events. As one door closes another opens and we look forward to the future with great anticipation…

Roughrider Days Future Home !