North Dakota Rodeos and Powwows

Experience two key North Dakota cultural traditions

Rodeos and powwows are important parts of North Dakota culture. The dates surrounding the Fourth of July are known as Cowboy Christmas for all the money that can be earned at the rodeos held around the holiday. Eight seconds seems so long when you're watching a cowboy hang on for dear life. From national professional events to local high school competitions, rodeo isn't just a sport in North Dakota, it's a feel-the-dirt-in-your-teeth way of life.

The Algonquin word "pau wau" was the Native American word some of the first Europeans associated with dancing. Although pau wau meant "he dreams" to the Algonquins, the term was eventually accepted by Europeans to refer to dancing, later being spelled "powwow."

Powwows were originally held in the spring to celebrate the beginning of new life, but are now held throughout the year. The celebrations often have religious significance, but are also a time for people to gather, sing, dance, feast, pray, renew old friendships and make new ones. These celebrations are still an important part of life for many American Indians.

Here is a list of remaining rodeos and powwow in North Dakota in 2020. Check back ocassionally as events are added and dates may change throughout the year.

RODEOS

February
8-9: Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo, Bismarck

May
1-2: Dickinson State Blue Hawk Stampede, Dickinson
25: High School Rodeo, Dickinson

June
18-20: North Dakota Rodeo Association Rodeo (NDRA), Watford City
25-27: Roughrider Days PRCA Rodeo, Dickinson

July

2-4: PRCA Mandan Rodeo Days, Mandan
3-4: PRCA Killdeer Mountain Roundup Rodeo, Killdeer

August
1: 64th annual Champions Ride, Home on the Range, Sentinnel Butte
8-9: NDRA Ranchorama Rodeo Days, Medora

September
25-26: NDRA Finals Rodeo, Watford City

October
2-4: PRCA Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo (Y's Men's), Minot
23-25: Roughrider Rodeo Association (RRA) Finals, Jamestown

November
20-21: Duel in the Dirst, Jamestown

POWWOWS

May
22-24: Four Bears Powwow, New Town

June
10-12: Twin Buttes Powwow, Twin Buttes
19-21: Parshall Powwow

July
9-12: Arikara Celebration, White Shield
16-19: Mandaree Celebration, Mandaree
25-26: Fort Totten Days, Fort Totten

August
7-9: Little Shell Powwow, New Town
14-16: Little Shell Memorial Powwow, Dunseith

September
4-6: Turtle Mountain Chippewa Pembina Labor Day Powwow, Belcourt
11-13: United Tribes International Powwow, Bismarck

October
24-25: FM Crossroads Powwow, Fargo