Starting from the Kokomo Gallery in Lemmon, the Thunderhawk Wide Open gravel bike race takes you through some of the most iconic and remote land in the Old West. With three routes - 25 miles, 50 miles and 115 miles - there is a course for every skill and fitness level. Start times will be staggered so all racers will finish in the same approximate window. All routes feature great gravel and scenic beauty in North Dakota and South Dakota. In addition to being a one-of-a-kind cycling event, the Thunderhawk Wide Open is a celebration of art, music, local culture, and history. See our website for more details and registration information. (This event is part of the Grasslands Triple Crown point series competition, which also includes Grassland Gravel and Wheelin' to Wall.)
Taking place at the Turner County Fairgrounds in Parker each August, the Turner County Fair is the oldest running fair in South Dakota. Admission is free and activities include 4-H exhibits, specialty foods (such as lamb chislic, homemade ice cream, homemade pie, beef or pork sandwiches, fresh-baked donuts and more), kids activities, grandstand events, musical performances and more. The fair gives local 4-H members the opportunity to showcase their projects while also serving as an unofficial end to summer with four fun-filled days before school starts.
The annual Vinegar Festival takes place in Roslyn in northeastern South Dakota. Events include a parade, Vinegar Queen crowning, stage entertainment, kids activities, food and craft vendors, alumni meet and greet, vinegar tasting, International Vinegar Museum tours and food demonstrations. Spend the day - 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. - enjoying the art of vinegar (times are approximate and subject to change).
Every summer, hundreds of visitors congregate in Rapid City's Wilson Park to enjoy food, music, performances, and to shop dozens of local vendors selling everything from art and jewelry to food and drinks. The West Boulevard Summer Festival has been offering fun for the whole family for nearly 50 years. Hosted every Father's Day weekend, admission is free and open to the public. Hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday.
Four days. Three shows. Thousands of wheels. Held in Huron at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds, Wheel Jam consists of three major shows: a car show, a motorcycle show and a semi/truck show. Other events include live entertainment, dynamic engine brake competition, semi light show, car and motorcycle show n’ shine, audio sound competition, burn out pit, poker run, stock car races, mobile dyno service and more. See our website for hours and admission information.
The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse and saber-toothed cat once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets live today. This cycling event held in Badlands National Park offers a choice of six rides: pavement 31 miles, pavement 38 miles, gravel 35 miles and gravel 64 miles, plus pavement 28 miles (Sunday) and gravel 33 miles (Sunday). (This event is part of the Grasslands Triple Crown point series competition, which also includes Grassland Gravel and the Thunderhawk Wide Open.)
Free concerts on Main Street Deadwood are awesome, but that's not all! You can also check out the National Dock Dogs Competition and learn the tricks of gold panning and sluicing from Black Hills pros right on Main Street. There's also a weekend-long classic car auction, and free concerts by top bands. Have fun celebrating the life and times of Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood.
Wild Deadwood Reads is an annual event held at The Lodge at Deadwood Gaming Resort in Historic Deadwood. Our multi-author, multi-genre Book Fair is just one of the exciting events happening, along with a basket raffle to support a local nonprofit organization, numerous giveaways and prizes, and much more. In attendance will be more than 100 authors from all over the country, including bestselling and award-winning authors of every genre—romance, historical, Christian, children’s, mystery, thrillers, Western, non-fiction and more. You will be able to find something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Admittance is free, so bring the whole family and find your new favorite books and authors.
Deadwood’s finest businesses will once again serve up samples of select fine wines, pleasing cheeses, and sweet chocolates to ticket holders. This yearly event runs 1-5 p.m., with registration from 12 noon-3 p.m. Your ticket will get you tastings at all participating locations along with a commemorative Reidel wine glass. Registrations are limited to 300 people so buy early and don’t miss out on great times in Deadwood this winter. Must be 21+ to participate and must show photo ID at registration. All participants are required to check-in at the registration at the Deadwood Visitor’s Center.
