The 2025 Northern Bull Riding Tour will be making a stop at Prairie Village, two miles west of Madison. On Friday, June 6, the Calcutta will start at 6:30 p.m. and the Bull Riding will start at 7 p.m. (This is the same weekend as the Antique Tractor Pull.) Food and beverages will be available on the grounds. See admission information online.
Break out the red, white, and blue for the Northern Hills Community Band concert in Deadwood. Enjoy live patriotic music and marches, as well as world-famous show tunes on the Historic Adams House lawn from 7-8 p.m. Admission is by donation. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center.
Painting on the Prairie is an annual Plein Air event held at the Ingalls Homestead, Laura Ingalls Wilder Society and throughout the De Smet area. Sponsored by the Harvey Dunn Society, the weekend features Artists and Youth Art workshops, a Plein Air Art Sale, and more. It is a tremendous opportunity to watch artists at work and for 'budding' artists to learn techniques and materials used by professionals. All activities are free to the artists and the public.
Prairie Village, located west of Madison, invites you to join us for a day full of fun featuring planes, trains & automobiles. On Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., there will be local aircraft on site; rides all day on trains, the doodlebug and motorcars; and the 31st annual car show. The day will also feature steam carousel rides, yard games, a caricature artist, a juggler, and more. Food will be available on site. See our website for more information, including admission and ticket prices, and a full schedule of events.
The potato is king in Clark, where local farmers grow bushels of the tasty tuber. That’s why, each year, the town throws a party in honor of its favorite over-used, under-appreciated starch. Locals vie for top honors in a Best Decorated Potato Contest. Past winners included an astronaut, farmer, race cars, and tooth. The Potato Dish Cooking Contests always bring out the best cooks in the county. And, the highlight of the celebration involves grown adults wrestling each other in mashed potatoes.
For more than 50 years, Prairie Repertory Theatre has been producing terrific summer theatre in eastern South Dakota. Whether you are already a member of our growing summer family or planning to join us for the first time, we invite you to experience the fun and enjoyment of live theatre. All shows are performed at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center on the campus of South Dakota State University in Brookings. For 2025, there are four shows planned starting with Grease (June 11-14), followed by Romeo and Juliet (June 18-21), Out of Order (June 25-28) and concluding with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (July 9-12 and 16-19). See our website for more about the shows, showtimes, and to purchase tickets.
The 62nd Annual Prairie Village Steam Threshing Jamboree is four days of fun. The 2025 event will feature the Hart Parr Oliver Collectors Association Summer Show. Additional activities include steam and horse threshing, parades, machinery demonstrations, flea market vendors, tractor pulls, historical programs, musical entertainment, and train and carousel rides. Admission: $14 for adults ($18 on Saturday), $4 for children (ages 6-12), and free for ages 5 and under. A four-day pass is $45 for adults (ages 6-12, $10). (See our website for complete details, including camping and lodging information.)
Head to Prairie Village west of Madison for Hobo Marlin's Pumpkin Train. Ride the train to the Pumpkin Patch where children (ages 12 and under) can pick a pumpkin from the patch. The event runs 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. and also includes donuts, cider and games. Admission is $5 per child (ages 12 and under) and $2 per adult/teen. Proceeds benefit the Prairie Village Herman & Milwaukee Railroad. (Prairie Village season passes not accepted.) Also included is the SoDak Vendor Showcase featuring a variety of South Dakota vendors on site.
Head to Webster for a weekend of great fall fun. The annual Pumpkin Fest - celebrating 26 years in 2025 - features all things "pumpkin." From a coloring contest and pumpkin display to pumpkin growing and baking contests and a pumpkin pie eating content. Other weekend activities include a petting zoo, horse drawn wagon rides, craft and vendor fair, 5K run/walk, food vendors, poker run, and more. The event tops off with the Lighted Parade at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, followed by fireworks. See the website and Facebook for the latest updates.
The RiverRat Run 1/2 marathon, 10k and 5k are timed races starting at Gavins Point Recreation Area west of Yankton and proceeding out along the Lewis and Clark Campground and Gavins Point Trails and Day use Area. Pre-registration is required to participate and is available online. No race day registrations are accepted for any race.
