BROOKINGS — To say that the Dacotah Bank Center was a hive of activity this past weekend would be something of an understatement as thousands of people — along with horses, calves and other livestock — took part in the 70th annual Jackrabbit Stampede Rodeo on April 10-11.
“(It) was just one of those weekends that reminds you why this event matters so much to our community,” DBC General Manager Ashley Biggar told The Brookings Register. “Between three performances and two slack sessions, the building was buzzing the entire time.”
She estimated that 4,500 people took part in the rodeo — ranging from 3,500 ticket holders to another thousand or so who were slack participants, contestants, stock contractors and crew members.
“What makes this one so special is everything happening beyond the arena dirt,” Biggar said. “This truly brings people into Brookings — families, athletes and fans from all over — filling hotels, restaurants, and local businesses. You can feel it across the community.”
Rodeo preparations don’t happen overnight, either: It takes nearly a week for the full build out, which included 337 horse stalls.
“(It’s) no small feat and really speaks to the scale of what comes together for this event,” Biggar said.
She spoke positively of the rodeo program at South Dakota State University and the man at its reins, Ron Skovly.
“We’re so lucky to have (him) leading the … program. The way he (affects) those student athletes shows in everything they do — there’s so much heart, grit, and pride in that group,” Biggar said. “Watching them compete, support each other and represent SDSU is something really special. You can feel how much it means to them, and that carries into the stands.”
Onida-based Sutton Rodeo, which produced the rodeo, was the recipient of Biggar’s praise as well.
“They know how to put on a show the right way, and they do it with such consistency and professionalism,” she said. “They help create an experience that people look forward to year after year.”
In closing, Biggar told the Register that, “At the end of the day, it’s more than a rodeo. It’s tradition, it’s community, it’s economic impact — and it’s a whole lot of people coming together to be part of something bigger. Those are the moments that stick with you.”
— Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
Leave a Reply