RAPID CITY, SD – The 2026 Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo officially kicks off this month, transforming Rapid City into a hub of agricultural commerce and Western entertainment. The annual event, which runs from Jan. 30 through Feb. 7, represents a massive collaboration between the Central States Fair and The Monument.
“While our community often refers to this time of year simply as the Stock Show, what makes it so special is the collaboration behind it,” said Craig Baltzer, Executive Director of The Monument. “This event is the result of two outstanding organizations working in lockstep.”
The 2026 edition coincides with a historic milestone for Sutton Rodeo, which is celebrating 100 years as a family operation. The company enters the new year after earning the PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year title again in 2025.
“Sutton Rodeo is celebrating 100 years as a family operation and continues to lead the industry, earning PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year again in 2025, while Central States Fair continues to grow the Stock Show tradition with expanded classes and one of the top youth livestock shows in the nation,” Baltzer said. “We are proud to be home to an event of this caliber.”
Central States Fair General Manager Ron Jeffries said the strength of the regional agricultural economy is a primary driver for the event’s success. He noted that the beef and horse industries are showing strong financial signs that are expected to continue through the first part of the year.
“When the agricultural business does well, the Black Hills Stock Show and Rapid City, the Black Hills do well,” Jeffries said. “I am excited about where our ag industry is in the market right now.”
To keep the event fresh, organizers are introducing new competitions, including the Rope, Ride and Slide event scheduled for opening Friday, January. 30. The contest features teams of two cowboys – one competing in bronc riding and the other in steer wrestling – before both join together for team roping. Jeffries said the format, which has seen success in Dupree, South Dakota, often pits professional PRCA cowboys against local ranch hands from Harding and Meade counties.
The entertainment lineup for 2026 leans into up-and-coming talent from the digital and red dirt music scenes. Tanner Usrey and Kenny Feidler are set to perform Friday, Feb. 6. On Saturday, Feb. 7, the band Ole 60 will take the stage along with Rob Leines.
“Ole 60 has been on our wish list for a few years and we finally got it together,” Jeffries said. “This is typically music that does not follow the Nashville route where you get a label and then you start recording and try and get spins on the radio. This is a lot of times the new stars that are coming through the digital aspect of music and they really can climb fast.”
There are regional favorites playing at at the Stock Show include Tristan Schofield, Randy Burghardt, Big Killet, Dan Brekke, Slamabama, and Colt 45.
For those focused on the industry side, Jeffries highlighted the Hubbard Feeds Supreme Row as a critical stop for producers looking for top-tier cattle genetics. He also recommended the Farm Credit Services horse sale on January 30 and 31.
Popular returning events include the Ranch Rodeo and Broncs for Breakfast (cover photo) on Wednesday morning, both of which frequently sell out. he breakfast event sponsored by Pioneer Bank features biscuits and gravy alongside a bloody mary bar and live bucking horse action
Boots and Beer is a favorite of locals beer enthusiasts on Thursday at the Kjerstad Event Center with Brandon Jones performing after.
Beyond the arena, the Stock Show remains one of the largest trade shows in the region, utilizing space at both the Central States Fairgrounds and The Monument to host hundreds of vendors and thousands of attendees from across the Midwest.
