Community Kick-Off BBQ
Tuesday Night, July 13th, 2027
5:00 PM
Stampede Park
6320 N Ohlman St - Hwy 37 North
West of Mitchell Airport
Community Awards & Special Recognition
Free Admission
BBQ Open to the Public
The Rodeo Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Sponsors, and the Mitchell Community who have helped to make this a fun and special weekend for someone visiting out town.
2026
Hall of Fame Inductee
Kaleb Barret
Hall of Fame Inductee is Kaleb Barrett. Kaleb started fighting bulls in the PRCA in 2007 and came to Mitchell for the first time in 2008. He continued to provide superior cowboy protection for every performance of the Corn Palace Stampede through 2022.
After a short hiatus, Kaleb joins us again on a sort of victory lap as he prepares to conclude his bullfighting career later this year. As a young bull fighter, Kaleb received the mentoring of our old friend, Al Sandvold, who trained him to excel at the craft of cowboy protection. Later Kaleb filled that role as a mentor to a couple of generations of bullfighters, including J.D. Harrell and Dakoda Simmes.
Kaleb is a registered nurse and will continue to provide care to patients at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula, MT upon his retirement. He and his wife Shawna are proud parents to sons Jett, Trey, and Jaxon. We are honored to induct Kaleb Barrett into the Corn Palace Stampede Hall of Fame.
Rodeo Tourist Gift Package
Each year on Thursday, The Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Committee, with the help of the local sheriff, ventures out on to I-90 Interstate to find some unsuspecting tourist to present a gift package!
Once they decide on a vehicle, they proceed to pull them over, flashing lights and all, to present them with a package containing:
- Key to the City of Mitchell from Mayor Jordan Hanson
- Gift Basket from the Chamber of Commerce
- Room for the night at the Comfort Inn of Mitchell
- Dinner from the Depot
- Crow's Nest Seats for Thursday's Performance
2026
Parade Marshal
Mark Sturdevant
Mark Sturdevant was born in Brookings, SD but his true home became Mitchell when he moved to town as Lance Carson Opened his gas station where he worked for a number of years. Mark became and ophthalmic technician and worked at Mabee Eye Clinic and Avera Ophthalmology until he retired in 2024.
Mark was proudly involved in the early days of the local Vietnam Nam Reunion alongside Lance. Over the years, you could find him cooking in the Corn Palace Rodeo VIP tent, participating in the chili cook-off and serving up his delicious baked beans for the Tuesday night rodeo kickoff event.
Since retiring in 2024, Mark is taking life at a more leisurely pace. He stays busy tackling projects around the house, building things for his kids and grandkids, watching his grandkids in their activities and always lending a hand to neighbors and friends whenever asked.
Stampede Park
6320 North Ohlman Street
Mitchell, SD
North Hwy 37 - West of Mitchell Airport
Email: cprodeoinfo@gmail.com
Email: cprodeoparade@gmail.com