In the Beginning...

 

Founded in April 1970, the Roughrider Commission (RRC) began as a committee of the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce, tasked with organizing a citywide Independence Day Celebration. The first three-day event featured rodeo performances, a parade, and a demolition derby, quickly becoming a crowd favorite. With rodeo stars, lively bands, and the loud crashes of the demolition derby, the celebration was a hit!

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Though the event left the committee with $20,000 in debt, their vision pushed them forward, and by December 1970, the group became a nonprofit organization. Over the years, the celebration grew from a small three-day event into a four-day festival, and by the late 1990s, it had transformed into a week-long celebration, attracting over 10,000 visitors annually and boosting the local economy.

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In 2002, the RRC partnered with the Stark County Fair Association, renaming the event Roughrider Days Fair and Expo. The focus shifted to expand and include new events, involving local groups like Dickinson State University, Southwest Speedway, and the Dakota Drag Racing Association.

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By 2005, a part-time staff was hired to support the growing event, and in 2007, the RRC moved its office to Park Square Mall in downtown Dickinson. Now, Roughrider Days operates year-round to bring the best 4th of July celebration to southwest North Dakota.

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Today...

 

What started as a humble celebration now stands as one of the largest 4th of July events in the Upper Midwest. Roughrider Days is a fun-filled family getaway that kicks off your 4th of July with a "Yee Haw!" and ends with a bang. From rodeo to racing and everything in between, Roughrider Days is a celebration of family, community, and unforgettable moments. It’s a rodeo—and so much MORE!​​​​