Out West Events 2026 | Celebrating America’s 250th, rodeo style

Tri State Livestock News | May 13, 2026

By Ruth Nicolaus

There’s no better place to be to celebrate Independence Day than at a rodeo.

Over this year’s July Fourth celebration, several area rodeos will celebrate the country’s 250th birthday with a big bash.

Fort Pierre, South Dakota, will celebrate three anniversaries this year. The year 2026 marks the 100th year of having a July Fourth rodeo in town, 200 years of an annual Independence Day celebration in town, and, of course, the nation’s 250th birthday.

The celebration will last for five days, from June 30-July 4, at the Stanley County Fairgrounds.  June 30 is the annual Rope, Slide and Ride at 7 p.m. The Rope, Slide and Ride is a three-event show, with cowboys teaming up to steer wrestle, ride saddle broncs, and team rope. July 1 features a breakaway roping and barrel racing at 4 p.m. July 2 is Family Day, with mutton busting, Frisbee toss, boot scramble, steer tipping, and an adult boot scramble, starting at 7 p.m.

On July 3, the rodeo kicks off for the 101st year, with a concert by Wade Hayes at 7:30 p.m.

On the Fourth, a big parade takes place at 10 a.m., with the final night of rodeo, on July 4, followed by fireworks. A flyover with an F15 bomber from Fort Ellsworth Air Force Base will happen during the parade.

Scott Deal, Stanley County Fairgrounds manager, said the annual Independence Day parade always lasts two hours, but this year should be even bigger and better. And the fireworks display is one of the largest in the state, and this year will be bigger.

“Not many cities can say they’ve had a celebration for 200 years,” Deal said. “That’s what we’re celebrating.”

Fort Pierre has a long history. The fort was established in 1817 as a fur trading post and was named Fort Tecumseh. Nine years later, on July 4, 1826, a rendezvous was held with the fur traders and Native Americans, and the tradition of gathering on the Fourth began. In 1832, the fort was rebuilt on the west bank of the Missouri River and was renamed Fort Pierre.

Two sculptures will be unveiled in Fort Pierre on July 3 at 1 p.m.

The first is a bison, created by John Lopez, Lemmon, South Dakota, known world-wide for his work. A metal sculptor, Lopez also uses scrap metal in his creations.

The bison is larger than life-size and features pieces of Fort Pierre history, like a mini representation of the Missouri River, the fort, a flying eagle, and a headdress. The sculpture is named “Dupree,” in honor of Fred Dupree, who, along with his wife Red Elk Woman and their sons, saved five orphaned bison calves after a slaughter. Those calves became the foundation of a herd, which Dupree sold, keeping the animal from near extinction.

The second sculpture is named Water Carrying Woman and features a Native American woman in ceremonial dress holding a water vessel, a buffalo bladder, over her head. The water streams out of it into a trough between her feet. This sculpture was created by Matthew Lanze of Pringle, South Dakota.

The Dupree family is planning a family gathering, a buffalo roast while they are in Fort Pierre. During the program prior to the unveiling, they will have a drum circle and honor songs.

The Sitting Bull Stampede in Mobridge, South Dakota, about 110 miles north of Fort Pierre along the Missouri River, will celebrate the Fourth in style.

In past years, the American flag has been brought in by retired First Class Sergeant Dana Bowman, with the U.S. Army, a double amputee who was a Special Forces Soldier and a member of the U.S. Army’s elite parachute team, the Golden Knights.

Bowman dives out of a plane, carrying a large American banner, which falls into the arena at the start of the rodeo. In Mobridge, volunteers from the National Guard run out to keep the banner from touching the ground as Bowman lands.

Patriotic openings are important for rodeos, said John Andersen, president of the Sitting Bull Stampede.

“A good opening sets your whole rodeo up,” he said. “A big opening that gets people in the stands early helps set the tone for the rodeo. If you can get people interested early, it sets a good tone for the whole performance.”

Patriotism in the rodeo world isn’t brought out for special occasions only, Andersen said. “We’re patriotic every year.”

The committee hopes to have the National Guard take part in the rodeo’s opening, but are waiting to confirm details.

Mobridge’s parade is held on July 3, with fireworks following the rodeo on the night of July 4. The event also includes a carnival.

Rodeo fans are, by nature, patriotic, Andersen said. “They stand for the flag and the national anthem and the prayer. It’s all about respect.”

The Sitting Bull Stampede will be held July 2-4, with shows each night at 7:30 p.m.

Rodeo is a uniquely American sport, and rodeo fans can expect to see celebrations of the United States of America all year long