DAYS OF ’76 RODEO TO TAKE CENTER STAGE
Annual event returns with long-time volunteer at the helm
Deadwood, S.D. – For the 102nd year, the Days of ’76 Rodeo will kick off in Deadwood, S.D. July 21-27.
Fans will be treated to one of the most decorated rodeos in the state and the tri-state region; the Days of ’76 Rodeo has won the PRCA Rodeo of the Year award nineteen times, and in the Badlands Circuit, the rodeos in the Dakotas, it’s been voted best rodeo sixteen times.
One of the reasons for the excellent entertainment provided by the rodeo is its rodeo personnel.
The man at the helm of the show, Randy Corley, returns to call the action. The North Platte, Neb. resident has announced the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 23 times and is a twelve-time PRCA Announcer of the Year award winner. Co-announcer is Garrison Allen, a native of Montana who now resides in Oelrichs, S.D.
Justin Rumford returns as rodeo clown to entertain fans and tickle funny bones. The Oklahoma cowboy has won awards in two categories in professional rodeo: the PRCA Clown of the Year award ten times, and the Coors Man in the Can (for working the barrel) three times.
Burch Rodeo Co., Gillette, Wyo., will provide stock.
Tera Mau isn’t paid for her work, but as the 2024 chairwoman of the rodeo committee, she takes her job seriously, and is honored to be the second woman in the rodeo’s history to hold this position.
She began volunteering with the rodeo in 2001, when her boss at the time was a committee member. He asked if she could spend a few hours after work selling tickets, and ten years later, she was voted the Days of ’76 Volunteer of the Year. In 2014, she was asked to be a member of the committee, and now she serves a one-year term as chairwoman.
She has an extra “bribe” no one else can offer, for the family and friends she recruits to volunteer in the ticket booth: easy parking.
“My backyard overlooks the parking lot which adjoins the rodeo grounds,” she said. “I’m not even a block away.”
She and her family move their personal vehicles, so volunteers can park at her house.
“I will let you park in my driveway if you will help by taking tickets one night,” she laughed.
Parking is a challenge in the blocked-in city of Deadwood, but with the trolley system provided by the city, fans are only a short ride away from the rodeo grounds.
The city offers trolley rides throughout all of downtown, and to and from the rodeo as well, and people are encouraged to take advantage of those rides, Mau said.
“The trolley system is fabulous,” she said. “Tourists stay at the hotels and can ride the trolley to the arena.”
Mau said the rodeo stays true to its historical roots and is based on the area’s history.
Part of the appeal for the Days of ’76 is its setting in Deadwood, she said.
Fans “love the area, can do things while they’re here in town, and the hills are beautiful. Where our arena sits, it’s gorgeous, to watch the sun set. The atmosphere is just perfect.
“It’s just Deadwood. Who doesn’t want to come to Deadwood?”
Performances for this year’s rodeo are July 24-27 at 7 pm each night, with a 1:30 pm matinee on July 27. Steer roping slack is July 21. WPRA breakaway roping has been added to the rodeo this year, and slack for it will be held on July 22, along with WPRA barrel racing. Timed event slack is July 23-25. Admittance for slack is free.
The Days of ’76 is noted for its historical parades; they take place July 26 at 1:30 pm and July 27 at 10 am.
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.
