About CPS

Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo

Taking place in Mitchell, SD, the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo has served as a cultural icon in the state by blending traditional rodeo events with facets of contemporary life. Sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), the four-day annual event attracts over 12,000 rodeo fans from across the United States and Canada, participating in such events as bareback bronc riding, calf roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. In addition to the rodeo contests, there is a parade Saturday on Mitchell's Main Street. Sunday holds a chili cook-off contest and Family Fun Day.

The Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo derives its name from the Corn Palace building. Built in 1892, the original Corn Palace, called "The Corn Belt Exposition" was used to display, in order to demonstrate the fertility of the state's soil, the products of the harvest of South Dakota's farmers in a mural on the exterior of the building. Each mural depicts and important facet of South Dakota Living.

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These murals require thousands of bushels of corn, grain, grasses, wild oats, brome grass, blue grass, rye, straw and wheat each year. The exterior decorations are completely stripped down and new murals are created annually. Hosting stage shows as well as sports events in its arena, the Corn Palace serves as a multi-use center for the community and region. The "World's Only Corn Palace" is a structure which stands as a tribute to the agricultural heritage of South Dakota.

Included in the project's documentation are 8 x 10 photographs with accompanying descriptions, a written report with sections on the history of the rodeo, the PRCA, a history of the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo, its cowboys and events, a listing of champions of each event from every year of the rodeo, rodeo announcers, clowns, barrel-men and bull fighters. Other sections trace the history of the rodeo's music, queens, parades, chili cook-offs, golf classics, parade marshals, and awards earned by the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo. Newspaper and magazine coverage over the years and a videotape are also included.

Article Originally submitted by: John R. Thune, Representative, courtesy: The Library of Congress.

Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Committee Members

Committee Members

Front Row: Jim Miskimins, Dave Epp, Jimmie Nicolaus, Karen Schultz, Tyler Graham Middle Row: Tonya Ford, Stan Peterson, Mike Dittmer, Casey Palmer, Kelly Olson, Thom DeWald Back Row: Andrew Winthers, Greg Neppl, Wade Greenwood, Corey Schuldt, Dave Emmert, Jayson Plamp, Shannon Larson, Randy Seppala Not Pictured: Dave Sietsma & Matt Zens

- Stampede Park -

Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Announcer - Davie Kimm

Davie Kimm is a Gold Card member of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Like many rodeo announcers, Davie's love of rodeo began as a contestant when he joined the Minnesota High School Rodeo Association in the 1980's. Working both ends of the arena, roping calves and riding bareback and saddle bronc horses, he went on to qualify for the National high School Finals Rodeo and later on, the PRCA Grat Lakes Circuit Finals 4 times in saddle bronc riding.

Davie migrated to the announcer's stand when he announced his first rodeo by filling in for a no-show announcer. Since then, Davie has worked his way up working high school, college & finally professional rodeos and bull ridings throughout the United States and Canada. Davie is quick to admint that his wife Nicky (who handles rodeo music production and sound) is a big part of his continued success. The two of them travel together throughout much of the year.

Davie has been recognized along with some of the industry's elite by the Women's Professional Rodeo Association being named the 2016 W.P.R.A. Announcer of the Year, and has been a Top 5 nominee twice for W.P.R.A. Announcer of the Year in 2009 and 2013. He has also announced the W.P.R.A. World finals in Waco, TX 5 times from 2013-2017.

JD Harrell

JD Harrell started the rodeo life at a young age competing in bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping and calf roping; competing on both ends of the arena through high school and college. He hung up his bull rope several years ago. JD understands the bull rider's aspect of the rodeo. At the age of 16 he began bull fighting at some open rodeos and now has decided to climb the ranks in the PRCA; getting his card in 2015.

JD has fought several times at the Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo, at the Ram National Circuit Finals and has been the Central Rocky Mountain Bull RIding Champion. JD resides in Roy, Montana.

Kaleb Barrett

Kaleb Barrett has been watching rodeos with his father since he was 3 years old. On the weekends, his dad would make some popcorn and the two of them would watch whatever rodeo happened to be on TV.

"When you're that age, you're really impressionable," says Barrett. "I remember my dad looking at the bull riders and I could see he had a lot of respect for what they were doing". "Those guys were warriors and they kind of demanded respect. I saw that right off the bat."

Barrett says that watching rodeos at a young age with his dad was one of the most exciting things he can remember about his childhood. "I started competing right out of grade school and really got going when I entered high school".

It wasn't until Barrett got into a serious accident while he was bull riding, that he started to consider becoming a bull fighter.

Barrett's mentors in life encouraged him to start fighting bulls. His participation in football, basketball and track during high school, helped him with his lateral agility and footwork.

"The best part about fighting bulls is when a bull rider comes up to you and says, "Thank you for being there for me". "That's the best thing for me!"

Barrett isn't your typical bull fighter, he's also a licensed practical nurse in Missoula, Montana.

Dakoda Simmes

Dakoda has been a member of the PRCA for 9 years. He has been very fortunate to work with some incredible rodeos, along with some incredible people. He has worked the Montana Circuit Finals two times.

Most importantly, his biggest accomplishment is his family which includes his wife, Natalie and his three boys, ages 3 months, 1 1/2 years and 3 years old. They all keep him busy and laughing.

When Dakoda is not out on the rodeo trail, he runs a cow-calf operation up in north-central Montana. He is 5th generation and is excited to be raising the 6th generation on the very same place he grew up!