The region is hosting its biggest wintertime gathering

Rapid City, SD – We all know that the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo brings thousands of visitors to Rapid City for a week’s worth of events – the stock show, multiple rodeo performances, speaker series, art show, trade show and many other things on the packed schedule.

Craig Baltzer, executive director of the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, said:

“Canceling the event would be unpopular because of its importance to the economy. Some people think the event is bad for public health. You could not possibly win on that argument whether you had the event or cancel. There’s no way to win on that one.”

The Civic Center is taking its cue from local and state government. There are no mandates to cancel the event. There’s no local or state mandate for the public to wear masks in the Civic Center, either, so masks are not required for attendees.

The Civic Center staff wears masks. They’ll also have masks and hand-sanitizer stations available for the public. During the rodeo, portions of the arena will be set aside for social distancing.

The stock show is Friday through Feb. 6.