BELLE FOURCHE, S.D. — It’s one of the biggest rodeo events in South Dakota, not to mention one of the oldest continuously-held outdoor rodeos in the country.
For 102 years, the Black Hills Roundup has been a staple in the Belle Fourche Community.
“We’re very proud of it, we got a heritage going here for many many years,” said Dirk Hoffman, the Vice Chairman of the Black Hills Roundup Board.
It’s a three-time medium-sized rodeo of the year and that heritage and pride is passed down to everyone involved.
“Us current board members and committee are fortunate to be standing where we are today with the past chairmen and boards and we’re just happy to be here and keep supporting this and the community stands behind us 110 percent,” Hoffman said.
But the buck doesn’t stop at the rodeo. In addition to the rodeo audience, the event draws thousands more who come for the parade, fireworks display and live music on Main Street.
Running the rodeo is a big job, and it’s done almost entirely by volunteers.
“We couldn’t do it without all of our volunteers, you know, hats off to them, every day, every night they come and help us out,” Hoffman said. “They’re the best of the best.”
Its roots run deep by drawing between three and five thousand spectators every year, along with contestants from all around the country.
Among them, Lolani Stevens from Hawaii, who won the Women’s Ranch Bronc Riding on Friday night.
“That was pretty awesome to get that here but we draw them from California, Utah, I mean, clear across the United States,” Hoffman said.
A rodeo that’s a century strong and showing no signs of slowing down.
“People want to come to this rodeo, because we do it right,” Hoffman said.
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