The
early Days of '76 rodeo were rough, rowdy and an exhibition
of the skill and endurance the men and women acquired
working on ranches. The popularity of the Wild West shows
and early movie "westerns" inspired the addition
of entertaining features such as trick riders, ropers,
and celebrities. Early rodeos included novelties such
as chariot races, a reenactment of the Trial of Jack
McCall (still a Deadwood summer tradition), the "hanging" of
a cattle rustler, horses jumping through hoops of fire,
and more.
In spite of the novelties, the
rodeo was a place of serious competition and over the
years evolved into a competitive professional sport.
Deadwood's Days of '76
Rodeo, though proud of its historic beginnings,
has taken a leading role in the modern sport of rodeo
today, winning the PRCA's "Best Outdoor Rodeo" award
six times since 1998 and Badlands Circuit seven out
of the past eight years. The Days
of '76 Rodeo always has and still does attract
the best cowboys and cowgirls from all over the country,
including the legendary Casey Tibbs, Chris LeDeux,
Howard Hunter, T.C. Holloway and others. Each year
the Days of '76 looks not to the past, but to the future,
ensuring that our rodeo improves every year.
The best is still to come! |
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