There have been a lot of changes in the 31 years of the Burke Stampede, but 2021 may mark one of the biggest. It will be the first year that the Stampede rides into the world of Professional Rodeo. The planning and preparation have been immense and spanned almost two years. It is unbelievable to think that what started as a place for our kids to play might become the playing field of world champion and aspiring world champion cowboys and cowgirls.

The Stampede Rodeo was born from the dream of local Burke druggist Jerry Hutchison who gathered donations of money, time and labor to build the beautiful all-steel facility on the edge of Burke, South Dakota. Those donations continue today as this year’s Stampede—thanks to many generous and big hearted sponsors—will be one of the richest ever. Time and labor are still an essential ingredient to the Stampede success story as committee and community volunteers have been working around the clock to make this year’s Burke Stampede the best ever!!

As always, the Burke Stampede Rodeo Committee has lined up a list of outstanding favorites:

As the excitement for Stampede time builds in our communities, we club members breathe a collective sigh of great relief and satisfaction as we get to gaze across the beautiful Burke Stampede Arena complex that has never looked better. The dirt floor of the arena is so perfectly combed, the steel is freshly painted, the bathrooms are newly updated, the beer stands are replaced better than ever, and the office space is nearly brand new. Things are down-right spiffy, and we want to tell the whole world that we are STAMPEDE READY!!!

But mostly, we are thankful. We are thankful for a small committee that is big in heart and dedication that had a dream. We are thankful for the many kids and adults who volunteered to paint. We are thank-ful to those who worked on the arena dirt to make it great for our contestants. We are thankful for those who welded and sawed boards and pounded nails to make new aluminum seating and repair old areas on the bleachers. We are thankful for sponsors who rose to the occasion to put up more money than we ever believed we could raise. We are thankful for volunteers who showed up to help prepare and for those who will show up to work. Because of all these people, we plan to put on a show in a little town that will be a going concern in the professional rodeo world.

We can almost feel the rumble of the chutes as they load the broncs and bulls of the legendary Korkow Rodeos. We smile as we think of the fun and antics that the 9 time PRCA clown of the year Justin Rumford will bring to the arena floor. We can taste those legendary Stampede roast beef sandwiches. We think of old friends and neighbors who might come, and we hear the roar of the legendary Burke Stampede Rodeo Fans….that’s you folks…and all that we are, all that we dream, all that we have done is nothing with-out you!! Make plans now to attend the 2021 Burke Stampede Rodeo July 16 ^th , 17 ^th and 18 ^th at 7:00 PM, Stampede Arena, Burke.