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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

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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 -

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.

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Meet Tomas Garcilazo - CHARRO ON THE ROAD

Tomas, a native of Mexico City, was introduced at an early age to his family heritage and tradition of "La Charreria" which is a skill performed through the generations only by the Mexican Charro. Charros take extreme pride in their highly developed horsemanship and roping abilities. Tomas, third generation Charro, has devoted his life to sharing Mexico's National Sport La Charreria with the World and along with his family they travels all over the country all year long performing and showcasing his Hispanic Heritage and keeping alive the Western legacy. 

A lifetime of preparation, performances and competition continue to require total self-discipline, patience and commitment by Tomas to training and mastering the artistry of La Charreria. Incorporating a display of refined horsemanship while demonstrating maguey rope artistry in his performances bring audiences to their feet applauding in appreciation of his skills. Tomas devotes countless hours to his horses who with their athletic ability and intelligence willingly execute maneuvers when asked by their friend. It is a rare and honorable experience to witness these partnership performances. 

Tomas has performed throughout Europe, Canada, Brazil, the U.S. and Mexico. He has appeared on Broadway in New York City and toured the U.S. with the Will Rogers Follies, an acclaimed 6 time Tony Award winning show. He was a featured performer for two years at Disney's Wild West Show in Paris, France plus the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show touring Holland and Germany. Tomas has performed numerous times for Mexico's Presidents along with guest performances at the U.S. White House and Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Tomas and family also toured the USA for the five past years with the legendary Aguilar family and the

Show Jaripeo Sin Fronteras. Tomas resides in Stephenville Texas and continues to share his legacy with audiences at rodeos, stock shows, horse shows and equine events internationally. 

His awards are many including the 4X PRCA Specialty Act of the Year and most recently TV talent show winner of the ‘Go Big Show’ season 1 featured on TBS channel. He also got honored to receive la Espuela de Oro «the golden spur» one of the highest distinction by the Mexican Charrería Association for his career and for being an Ambassador of his tradition and Mexican National sport. In March 2024 Tomas will have the honor to be inducted in the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Tomas Garcilazo's proficiency as a skilled horseman and rope artist defines him as one of the finest Charros presenting La Charreria today. Follow Tomas Garcilazo - Charro on the Road on social media 

Instagram account @tjgarcilazo & Facebook page https://m.facebook.com/tomasgarcilazocharroropeartisthorseman/


Corn Palace Stampede Bull Fighters

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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.

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Beau was born and raised out in the country near the little town of Emmet, Nebraska. Growing up he worked on the family ranch and for other surrounding ranches. Although he is a first-generation rodeo cowboy in my family, he got into it at a young age riding calves and steers. As he got older, his focus switched to high school athletics, which put his rodeo days on hold for a brief period of time.

In college he began riding bulls again. It was through this process that led him to fighting bulls. He quickly learned that was the place for him.

In 2016, Beau was accepted into the PRCA as a Professional Bullfighter. Since then, he has been fortunate enough to work the CBR, Tuff Hedeman Bullriding Tour, PBR Velocity tour Events, and several of the big rodeos in the industty since 2019. These include the 2019 Siandhills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, TX; San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo; The Cody Stampede in Cody, WY Sheridan WYO Rodeo in Sheridan, WY; The College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, WY; and the Days of 76 in Deadwood, SD.

Since the inception of Bullfighters Only, Beau has also found a lot of success in freestyle bullfighting. He finished in Top 5 in the World Standings every year which included finishing as the Reserve World Champion Freestyle Bullfighter in 2018 and 2020.

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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!

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PRCA Rodeo

Extreme Bulls Event

Thursday July 16th, 2026

Start Time - 8:00 pm

PRCA Rodeos

Rodeos Friday - Sunday

July 17th - 19th, 2026

Start Time: 8:00 pm

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Family Fun

Kids Candy Toss & Mutton Bustin

Held Nightly Thursday - Sunday.