Historic Venue, Award Winning Rodeo

Deadwood’s Days of ’76 Rodeo showcases pro competition, history of the area

Deadwood, S.D. (June 15, 2026) – There’s plenty of history in Deadwood, and the Days of ’76 Rodeo, too.

The 104th annual edition of the Days of ’76 Rodeo stampedes into Deadwood July 19-25, with PRCA rodeo competition, fun, parades, and lots of history.

Each night of the rodeo features eight rodeo events, from bucking horse riders to roping, wrestling, barrel racing, and bull riding.

The Brown Rocks give the Days of ’76 Rodeo its unique venue and make for a beautiful place for a rodeo. Photo by Kristen Schurr.

And for fans’ enjoyment, during each rodeo performance, two episodes from the history of Deadwood are reenacted in the arena between rodeo events. “Jack McCall,” Wild Bill Hickok’s killer, bursts onto the scene as Hickok and other reenactors sit around a gaming table. The second history situation that plays out is the 1878 robbery of the stagecoach transporting gold from Deadwood to Cheyenne.

Days of ’76 boasts two parades as well, with entries including only horse-drawn vehicles, to represent Deadwood in its early years. The parades are Fri., July 24 and Sat., July 25 at 1:30 pm both days.

Personnel for this year’s rodeo include announcers Randy Corley and Garrison Allen; stock contractor Burch Rodeo Co., bullfighters Beau Schueth and Nate Jestes, and rodeo clown Justin Rumford.

For Shannon Percy, the 2026 chairman of the Days of ’76 Rodeo, the history is his favorite part. “We try to be as historic as possible,” he said. “The area is historic in itself. We have Deadwood and we have Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok.” There’s also plenty for fans to do in the Deadwood area, he said, “with gambling and a lot of attractions they can take in.”

Percy is in his eleventh year as a committee member with the Days of ’76 Rodeo. He grew up in the area and competed in high school rodeo, with help from the Mattson family, who mentored him in the sport.

He chose to volunteer because the rodeo is a big part of the town.

In addition to pro rodeo competition (including saddle bronc riding, as pictured), Deadwood’s Days of ’76 Rodeo showcases the area’s history. Photo by Kristen Schurr

“If you’re a resident of Deadwood,” Percy said, “you’re either in the parade or at the rodeo as you grow up. I thought, it’s time to help and move the event forward.”

Last year, the rodeo made a change in its scheduling, moving the Saturday matinee to a Tuesday night show. It helped with the parking situation, Percy said.

The city of Deadwood has a trolley system, with people able to ride the trolley from downtown to the rodeo grounds. “Parking is at a premium, and the city’s trolleys help,” Percy said.

His favorite part of the entire week is the rodeo and its setting. With the White Rocks and Brown Rocks overlooking the rodeo arena, it’s a beautiful place for the event.

“It’s a great venue there,” he said, “just a great place to see a rodeo. You could shut your eyes and think it’s 1890.

“We’ve been cowboy for 100 years, and we’re still cowboy.”

Days of ’76, a 19-time PRCA Rodeo of the Year in three different categories, takes place July 19-25.

The rodeo starts at 7 pm each night. Steer roping is July 19 at 9 am. Barrel racing slack is July 20 at 9 am. The slack competition in the steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping and breakaway roping is July 21-25, starting at 8 am each day.

Tickets range in price from $10-$100 and can be purchased online at Daysof76.com and at the gate. For more information, visit the website.