Summer Nights

Every Thursday night, June–September, Seventh Street in downtown Rapid City is closed off to traffic between Main and St. Joseph Streets and is opened up to pedestrians. Music, local artisans, galley walks, and activities for children and adults are organized from 5:30–8:30 p.m. Activities and music for this extremely popular event change every week. More information is available at www.rapidcitysummernights.com.

Central States Fair

The Central States Fair (800 San Francisco St., 605/355-3800, www.centralstatesfair.com, last week in Aug.) is a week-long celebration that features lots of free entertainment and livestock shows, plus concerts, rodeos, and other events like demolition derby, and supercross dirt bike races. There are also carnival rides, pig races, food, and hobby and craft competitions. The cost to get into the grounds is just $2. All concerts are $38, and other events (such as demolition derby and supercross) are $15 for adults and $5 for children. Carnival ride passes cost $27 per day. It’s all delightful noise and lights, cheap rides, and junk food—a great way to end the summer.

Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo

The Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo (www.blackhillsstockshowrodeo.com) is a one-week rodeo and stock show that occurs the last few days of January and first week of February and is held at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center (444 N. Mt. Rushmore Rd., 605/394-4115, www.gotmine.com). Ticket prices range $10–40. The stock show events include a banquet and ball, livestock shows, horse events, a Western art show, sheepdog trials, and nightly concerts and rodeo performances. Vendors sell everything from horse trailers to handcrafted jewelry.

© Laural A. Bidwell from Moon Mount Rushmore & the Black Hills, 1st Edition