It’s the Days in Deadwood this week!!! Awfully nice weather for a busy week for us here at the Chamber. Good crowds, good times! The Days of 76 continues through the weekend… here’s a schedule: OH, and if you can’t make it to the parade, you can watch the rodeo LIVE on our website! We are streaming the rodeo on our video gallery, so head to www.deadwood.org and check out the video gallery!
Here’s the schedule, have a great weekend all!
Friday, July 30

1:30 p.m. Deadwood Main Street – Historic Parade

7 p.m. PRCA Rodeo Performance

Saturday, July 31

10 a.m. Deadwood Main Street – Historic Parade

1:30 p.m. PRCA Rodeo Performance

7 p.m. PRCA Rodeo Performance

Attention all Deadwood fans!

If you’re reading this BLOG you’re obviously digitally hanging out with us here on the internet, but are you keeping updated with all the Deadwood happenings on Facebook?
You should be!
You can link up with us to stay in touch at: www.facebook.com/historicdeadwood

And we even have some legendary figures helping you to stay up to date with the best party in South Dakota!
Whoever said old folks aren’t hip with technology has never met THE Wild Bill Hickok! You can even befriend old Wild Bill on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/thewildbillhickok

And if you’re on Twitter follow us at: www.twitter.com/DeadwoodSD

See ya on the inter-web y’all!

Nation’s Best Cowboys Return
for Days of 76

Deadwood event celebrates 88th year of celebration.

As they have for the past 87 years, the nation’s best cowboys and cowgirls will converge in Deadwood at one of the top outdoor rodeos in the country – the 88th annual Days of 76 Rodeo, July 27-31.

The Days of 76 started as small celebration of Deadwood’s past. Over time, the celebration evolved to include one of the nation’s most highly rated rodeos, being honored by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association more than 10 times. The PRCA has named the Days of 76 the Small Outdoor Rodeo of the Year four times and Medium Rodeo of the Year each year since 2004. In 2007, the Days of ‘76 was also named the Badlands Circuit Rodeo of the Year.

Spectators will see more than 600 of the nation’s finest rodeo stars competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding. All of the competitors are PRCA card holders. Many of which make the national finals in Las Vegas.

Deadwood’s Days of ’76 rodeo performances will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 29, Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31. There will also be a 1:30 p.m. performance on Saturday, July 31. Tough Enough to Wear Pink day is Friday, July 30. Days of ’76 week kicks off on Tuesday, July 27 with PRCA steer roping at 10 a.m. Tie-down roping, steer wrestling and team roping slack will begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 28, with more timed event slack on Thursday, July 29, also at 8 a.m. Barrel racing slack will be held after the timed-event slack on Thursday, July 29. Days of ’76 competitors will compete for the Committee’s Purse, which in 2010 will be nearly $50,000.

The mile-long historic parades will be held on Friday, July 30 at 1:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 31 at 10 a.m.

The rodeo is a nonprofit event made possible through sponsors, previous ticket sales and the city of Deadwood. The Days of 76 Rodeo Committee plans and organizes the rodeo. Also, a 20-person board of directors and countless volunteers help make the event memorable.

Visit www.daysof76.com or www.deadwood.org for more information. For tickets, contact Black Hills Central Reservations at 1-888-838-BULL, or purchase online at www.blackhillsvacations.com.
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88th Annual Days of ’76 Schedule of Events

Tuesday, July 27
10 a.m. PRCA Steer Roping

Wednesday, July 28
8 a.m. Timed Events Rodeo Slack

Thursday, July 29
8 a.m. Timed Events Rodeo Slack. WPRA Barrel Racing Slack following Timed Events Slack
7 p.m. PRCA Rodeo Performance

Friday, July 30
1:30 p.m. Deadwood Main Street – Historic Parade
7 p.m. PRCA Rodeo Performance

Saturday, July 31
10 a.m. Deadwood Main Street – Historic Parade
1:30 p.m. PRCA Rodeo Performance
7 p.m. PRCA Rodeo Performance
Times subject to change due to weather precautions

Deadwood Named ‘Awesome Vacation’ by MSN and Bing Travel
DEADWOOD, S.D. (7/13/10) – Historic Deadwood has been named one of America’s “50 Awesome Vacations” by the editors of MSN.com and Bing Travel. One distinctive vacation destination from each of the 50 states was chosen for the online summer travel feature. The story’s goal was to answer the question, “If you could visit one place in every state, where would it be?”

“We in Deadwood have always known what an awesome destination this is. It’s great to see that MSN and Bing Travel agree,” said George Milos, head of the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce.

Deadwood, named as South Dakota’s destination, made the list because of its well-known history as an untamed mining town. MSN and Bing described Deadwood as a modern town where the Old West is still alive and kicking. The entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The “50 Awesome Vacations” feature went on to tell how legendary figures such as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane once walked Deadwood’s streets, and now rest high above town in Mount Moriah Cemetery. Today, historic re-enactors — including one who play Wild Bill himself — still roam the streets of downtown Deadwood.

Other U.S. destinations that were named included the volcanoes of Hawaii, Chicago’s Wrigley Field, Fort Hays, Kansas and Times Square in New York City.

Always great to be appreciated!

Thanks all!
Lee

While the calendar says June 21 as day one of the summer, most people get in that summer mode after Memorial Day. This year, however, it was hard to find your summer mentality in the Black Hills because of thunderstorm and rain shower, and temperatures below normal.

But that all changed in the last week, as the mercury climbed into the 80s and, gasp! the 90s! And my oh my things are awfully green on the hills surrounding Deadwood. It’s a bit funny, but after the winter and not-very-high temperatures of the spring turned into even the low 80s, it was all folks could do to not talk about the heat. Yep, the four seasons of Deadwood sometimes are quite drastic!

At any rate, summer is here, Deadwood is full of hustle and bustle. Wild Bill Days was a success, and now we are looking toward the Days of ‘76 (July 27-31), the Legends Ride during the Sturgis Rally (August 9) and, of course, Kool Deadwood Nites (August 26-29), Deadwood’s largest event.

We hope you can make it out to join us! And if you haven’t done so already, and you are on Facebook, check us out at www.facebook.com/historicdeadwood . We’re even on Twitter, @DeadwoodSD. Keep up with all things Deadwood!

Oh, and we are still playing text message blackjack – text the word PLAY to 88188 and win some cool Deadwood stuff.

OK, back to work! Have a great week all.

Lee

It’s here – WILD BILL DAYS! Well, not quite, but it will start in a couple days!
Hope you are heading this way, and if not, I’m posting a schedule in hopes to entice you a little more! Hope to see you DEADWOOD:

Friday, June 18
10am – Firearms and Old West Auction Preview and Show – Lodge at Deadwood

10am – Dock Dogs Big Air Wave Competition on Main Street

11am – March of Dimes and First Gold Celebrity Shoot-Out Fundraiser – Ferguson Field

5pm – Music begins on Main Street featuring Shantel Bolks

6:30pm – Free concert featuring Brock Finn

8pm – Free concert featuring Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band

Saturday, June 19
9am – Cowboy Fast Draw Championships – Ferguson Field

10am – Firearms and Old West Auction Preview and Show – Lodge at Deadwood

10am – Dock Dogs Big Air Wave Competition on Main Street

Noon – Black Hills State University Pole Vaulters on Main Street

5pm – Music begins on historic Main Street stage featuring Shantel Bolks

6:30pm – Free concert featuring Brock Finn

8pm – Free concert featuring John Michael Montgomery

Sunday, June 20
9am – Cowboy Fast Draw Championships – Ferguson Field

10am – Firearms and Old West Auction and Show – Lodge at Deadwood

Wow summer is coming up on us fast!!! It’s June, and there’s no time to wait – we have some great events coming up, starting this weekend with the Mickelson Trail Marathon — and on June 18-20 -
WILD BILL DAYS! here’s a schedule of the events – it’s going to be grand celebration, we hope to see you in Deadwood!

2010 Wild Bill Days Schedule of Events:
Times approximate/tentative
Friday, June 18
10am – Firearms and Old West Auction Preview and Show – Lodge at Deadwood
10am – Dock Dogs Big Air Wave Competition on Main Street
11am – March of Dimes and First Gold Celebrity Shoot-Out Fundraiser – Ferguson Field
5pm – Music begins on Main Street featuring Shantel Bolks
6:30pm – Free concert featuring Brock Finn
8pm – Free concert featuring Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band

Saturday, June 19
9am – Cowboy Fast Draw Championships – Ferguson Field
10am – Firearms and Old West Auction Preview and Show – Lodge at Deadwood
10am – Dock Dogs Big Air Wave Competition on Main Street
Noon – Black Hills State University Pole Vaulters on Main Street
5pm – Music begins on historic Main Street stage featuring Shantel Bolks
6:30pm – Free concert featuring Brock Finn
8pm – Free concert featuring John Michael Montgomery

Sunday, June 20
9am – Cowboy Fast Draw Championships – Ferguson Field
10am – Firearms and Old West Auction and Show – Lodge at Deadwood
Book your trip now. This is a can’t miss event! Book your lodging ONLINE today! CLICK HERE to book and check availability!

Call 1-800-999-1876 for more information!

James Butler Hickok. Wild Bill. A man fit for a dime store novel may have met his demise in a Deadwood saloon, but his image, and legend, live on.

Especially during Wild Bill Days.

June 18-20 brings all things Wild Bill to Deadwood. And even some things not quite Wild Bill. Regardless, the weekend certainly has something for everyone. After all, where else can you take in the Wild West atmosphere, all the while enjoying free world-class entertainment? Wild Bill’s stay in Deadwood may have been short-lived, but the folks in Deadwood put on a celebration that, if he were alive today, even Wild Bill would be pleased to partake.

I mean who can’t resist trying to sing along to John Michael Montgomery’s SOLD song, you know the one: “… and I said hey pretty lady won’t you give me a sign, I’d do anything to make you mine all mine, I’ll do your bidding and be at your beckon call…” Wild Bill was surely a toe-tapper, so if he were to be in Deadwood on June 19, 2010, he’d be in the front row on the Main Street stage struttin’ his stuff. And it’s free. Bring a chair and stake your claim on the street. Did I mention the concerts are free?

You say music ain’t your thing? How about some Cowboy Fast Draw Championships? Wild Bill was quite the quick draw, and these modern-day gunslingers certainly would give him a run for his money. Want to try your luck at drawing a pistol from a holster and shooting a target as fast as imaginable? Can do – First Gold in Deadwood puts on a fundraiser shoot on Friday, June 19 that’s open to all comers, be them smooth and quick as lightning or slow and fumbl-y. All you have to do is get a team together and show up. Guns, holsters and the like provided. But if you’re shooting leaves a little to be desired, at least dress the part. Call (605) 717-7001 for more information or to register your posse.

Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand will be back to Deadwood too for Wild Bill Days 2010. They’ll play on Friday, June 18 (did I mention the concerts are FREE?). The song “Dream Big” is a big hit, and the band’s banjo-plucking, fiddle-playing style is a can’t miss. Music on both Friday and Saturday starts at 5 p.m. with Shantel Bolks, a fine singer, songwriter, pianist from South Dakota, and good ‘ol Brock Finn with some fine Brock ‘N Roll. If you haven’t heard Brock, you really haven’t experienced a musical experience. Brock Finn and his band will take the stage both nights.

I’m likely to run out of room, but Wild Bill Days will also feature some high-flying dogs during the DockDogs competition. Not that the dogs want to compete, really, as they just want to play fetch in a huge pool of water. And fetch they do. This event will be in front of the Silverado-Franklin complex on Main Street throughout the weekend. Pretty sure you won’t miss it! Registration for you and your pup is now open at www.dockdogs.com. Deadwood will also host a pole vaulting exhibition in front of the Holiday Inn Express at high noon on Saturday, and a city-wide BBQ cook-off (with free food!) will be held starting at 2 p.m. And you can’t miss the Firearms and Old West Auction and Show taking place throughout the weekend at The Lodge at Deadwood. Some fine firearms – well at Wild Bill’s standards – and Old West gear will be on sale and on the auction block.

Song, dance, food, libations and shooting. Yep, sounds like a party Wild Bill would host. Oh, and ample gambling opportunities too. Makes it even better. And it’s free. Not sure if I mentioned that. Check out www.deadwood.org or call 1-800-999-1876. See you in Deadwood!

OH, and we are giving away a FREE night’s stay for Wild Bill Days – keep track of the contest (will launch next week!) at www.facebook.com/historicdeadwood!

Wild Bill Days in 2010 is going to rock! John Michael Montgomery, Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand, DockDogs, Brock Finn, Shantel Bolks, pole vaulting — my oh my the list goes on -
Want to win a free Wild Bill Weekend? All you gotta do is play blackjack!
On your cell phone!
Text PLAY to 88188 to get started, or to resume where you left off. Whoever has the most money banked up at the end of May will win the weekend – Can’t beat that!
There’s no cost to play the game, but if you don’t have unlimited texting, standard text rates do apply -
Get to playing, double down and split when you should, and good luck!
Lee

It’s official… Deadwood Mountain Grand’s ground has been broke!

In a ceremony today, investors in Deadwood’s newest entertainment venue took a ceremonial dig to begin construction on this $40-+ million dollar project. Included in the partners is Big Kenny, of Big and Rich fame.

The new venue will have 200 some gaming machines, 100+ hotel rooms and a 2,500 seat concert venue. It’s going to be a great benefit to Deadwood.

They hope to open in July 2011. Look for more news on this in weeks to come.

Other than that, a little rainy here in Deadwood and we are still waiting for some warm May weather to arrive – hopefully soon!

Hope all is well, and talk to y’all soon!

Oh, and we are working on a getting and installing a new web cam. We think you’ll be real impressed once it’s up and running…

Lee