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Jul. 15—MITCHELL — A long-time bullfighter for a Mitchell rodeo was inducted Tuesday night into a local hall of fame in his final year of bullfighting.
The Mitchell Corn Palace Stampede hosted its community kick-off on Tuesday, July 14, in a family-style celebration with locally-grown pork for a BBQ sandwich meal at Stampede Park. The Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo inducted bullfighter Kaleb Barrett into its hall of fame, announced the parade marshal for Saturday morning's Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Parade down Mitchell's Main Street, and recognized the rodeo's long-standing stock provider.
The 55th Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Parade theme is America 250: Red, White and Blue.
Nightly performances start at 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 16 with Extreme Bulls, followed by rodeo performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A family fun day on Sunday includes cowboy church at 10 a.m., and a chili cook-off from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with final rodeo performances at 8 p.m.
Barrett, a long-time Stampede bullfighter, was inducted into the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Hall of Fame. Barrett is a Whitehall, Montana native and now resides in Stevensville, Montana with his wife and three children.
Barrett, 42, was the Stampede's bullfighter from 2008 to 2022. This year, he's come back to Mitchell for his final year in the sport.
"I have to concede to Father Time. He's undefeated," Barrett said.
Barrett fought bulls for 19 years professionally and 24 years total. Bullfighting is all about protecting the rider, according to Barrett. Bullfighters are just a part of the show, he said.
Barrett believes bullfighting means being fully-committed to the bull rider's safety, being absolutely selfless, and putting his life on the line for someone else.
"That's our whole responsibility and job. When guys get on bulls, they shouldn't have to think about what's going to happen after. They should be able to trust that we're going to keep them safe after the ride is done," Barrett said.
This year's rodeo features a recently-completed entrance with ticket windows, and a second arena for youth events, which is ready for 2027 events according to Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Committee Chair Jim Miskimins. The recent addition of the new arena was not ready in time for scheduling purposes.
"We built such a nice place that we want to host more and more people to this location, and to bring more people to Mitchell," Miskimins said.
Miskimins told the Mitchell Republic the additional arena allows for events to be done in a reasonable amount of time.
"We're ready for those youth rodeos because, unlike our rodeo where there are eight events, the youth rodeos have 12 or 14 (events)," Miskimins said.
Entries are strong for the rodeo. Horses are drawn for rodeo events, and judging is based half on the horse and half on the rider. According to Miskimins, when horse stock are stronger overall, there's a way better chance that riders come to Mitchell after they've paid the entry fee to the rodeo.
An additional stock provider will be at the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo this year, A. Rorey Lemmel Bucker — part of the Harper and Morgan Rodeo Company. This will be the outfit's first time joining the Stampede.
"(Cowboys) know when two stock contractors come together that there will be better horses overall, and so those cowboys were encouraged to enter the rodeo with the feeling that they had a better chance to score well here in Mitchell," Miskimins said.
The Sutton Ranch is the primary stock provider for the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo and has done so since the rodeo's inception in 1971. Steve and Kim Sutton, fourth generation ranchers, were recognized by the Stampede Rodeo for 100 years of the Sutton Rodeo, based in Onida.
Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo committee member Tyler Graham told the Mitchell Republic all the money the Stampede raises goes back into the community, and that the Stampede is one of the few rodeos which don't profit. The committee is active with the Mitchell Caring Closet, Christmas Meals on Wheels, and Mitchell Safeplace of Eastern South Dakota.
"We give it back into the community in some way, shape, or form," Graham said.
Graham noted the committee was trying to bring more people to Mitchell and attract more events for people to come and enjoy.
"We have four days to show people from any walks of life what Mitchell's about," Graham said.
Community and awards
Rodeo finalists are awarded a Henry Rifle instead of a traditional belt buckle. This year, the rifle is a 6.75-pound Henry Silver Boy .22 rifle with an octagonal barrel and walnut wood stock.
There are 27 US-made Henry rifles laser engraved by Heidi Menden at Dakota Laser Creation for champions in such categories as bullriding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and team, down and breakaway roping. There are three additional rifles on hold in case of a tiebreaker. The rifles are paid for by local sponsors, not the rodeo.
The Stampede Rodeo has awarded Henry rifles for the previous 10 years, according to Tom Riddle of Mitchell-based Riddle and Sons Guns. Previously, awards were a Weatherby shotgun, according to Riddle. Riddle noted the guns were earned, not won.
Ethan-based grower Shannon Klumb smoked 230 pounds of meat for the community meal. The meat was provided and processed by Wholestone Farms, a group of 235 midwest farmer-growers, including Klumb, who own a meat processing facility in Fremont, Nebraska.
"We own our pigs from inception to all the (processing)," Klumb said.
This is Klumb's 10th year grilling for the Stampede Rodeo community meal, which is free to the public.
Volunteers from Pink Ladies, a dart team supporting local breast cancer relief, served refreshments under the pavilion at Stampede Park during the kick-off and will be there through the remainder of events. The rodeo committee supports the Pink Ladies non-profit.
Mark Sturdevant was chosen as the parade marshal this year. Sturdevant, retired from the Mabee Eye Clinic, is a long-time friend of the rodeo and baked bean connoisseur and long-time bean cook. Sturdevant was called out of retirement this year to bake the beans for the community meal.
The Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. on Main Street and runs from First Avenue to Ninth Avenue. Floats will be judged on best all around float, antiques, best use of theme, humorous and youth, among others.
Barrett noted rodeo was hard to learn by the school of hard knocks, and said he was the result of someone giving him a hand up.
"That's the number one thing that we can do to give back to the rodeo community, and you see this as an example here today. Look at this beautiful facility and what they've created here," Barrett said.
2026 Stampede best window decorating award went to the Pin Cushion, with CorTrust Bank in second, Twin Dragon in third, and Caribou Coffee in fourth.
Continue reading...
The Mitchell Corn Palace Stampede hosted its community kick-off on Tuesday, July 14, in a family-style celebration with locally-grown pork for a BBQ sandwich meal at Stampede Park. The Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo inducted bullfighter Kaleb Barrett into its hall of fame, announced the parade marshal for Saturday morning's Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Parade down Mitchell's Main Street, and recognized the rodeo's long-standing stock provider.
The 55th Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Parade theme is America 250: Red, White and Blue.
Nightly performances start at 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 16 with Extreme Bulls, followed by rodeo performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A family fun day on Sunday includes cowboy church at 10 a.m., and a chili cook-off from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with final rodeo performances at 8 p.m.
Barrett, a long-time Stampede bullfighter, was inducted into the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Hall of Fame. Barrett is a Whitehall, Montana native and now resides in Stevensville, Montana with his wife and three children.
Barrett, 42, was the Stampede's bullfighter from 2008 to 2022. This year, he's come back to Mitchell for his final year in the sport.
"I have to concede to Father Time. He's undefeated," Barrett said.
Barrett fought bulls for 19 years professionally and 24 years total. Bullfighting is all about protecting the rider, according to Barrett. Bullfighters are just a part of the show, he said.
Barrett believes bullfighting means being fully-committed to the bull rider's safety, being absolutely selfless, and putting his life on the line for someone else.
"That's our whole responsibility and job. When guys get on bulls, they shouldn't have to think about what's going to happen after. They should be able to trust that we're going to keep them safe after the ride is done," Barrett said.
This year's rodeo features a recently-completed entrance with ticket windows, and a second arena for youth events, which is ready for 2027 events according to Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Committee Chair Jim Miskimins. The recent addition of the new arena was not ready in time for scheduling purposes.
"We built such a nice place that we want to host more and more people to this location, and to bring more people to Mitchell," Miskimins said.
Miskimins told the Mitchell Republic the additional arena allows for events to be done in a reasonable amount of time.
"We're ready for those youth rodeos because, unlike our rodeo where there are eight events, the youth rodeos have 12 or 14 (events)," Miskimins said.
Entries are strong for the rodeo. Horses are drawn for rodeo events, and judging is based half on the horse and half on the rider. According to Miskimins, when horse stock are stronger overall, there's a way better chance that riders come to Mitchell after they've paid the entry fee to the rodeo.
An additional stock provider will be at the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo this year, A. Rorey Lemmel Bucker — part of the Harper and Morgan Rodeo Company. This will be the outfit's first time joining the Stampede.
"(Cowboys) know when two stock contractors come together that there will be better horses overall, and so those cowboys were encouraged to enter the rodeo with the feeling that they had a better chance to score well here in Mitchell," Miskimins said.
The Sutton Ranch is the primary stock provider for the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo and has done so since the rodeo's inception in 1971. Steve and Kim Sutton, fourth generation ranchers, were recognized by the Stampede Rodeo for 100 years of the Sutton Rodeo, based in Onida.
Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo committee member Tyler Graham told the Mitchell Republic all the money the Stampede raises goes back into the community, and that the Stampede is one of the few rodeos which don't profit. The committee is active with the Mitchell Caring Closet, Christmas Meals on Wheels, and Mitchell Safeplace of Eastern South Dakota.
"We give it back into the community in some way, shape, or form," Graham said.
Graham noted the committee was trying to bring more people to Mitchell and attract more events for people to come and enjoy.
"We have four days to show people from any walks of life what Mitchell's about," Graham said.
Community and awards
Rodeo finalists are awarded a Henry Rifle instead of a traditional belt buckle. This year, the rifle is a 6.75-pound Henry Silver Boy .22 rifle with an octagonal barrel and walnut wood stock.
There are 27 US-made Henry rifles laser engraved by Heidi Menden at Dakota Laser Creation for champions in such categories as bullriding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and team, down and breakaway roping. There are three additional rifles on hold in case of a tiebreaker. The rifles are paid for by local sponsors, not the rodeo.
The Stampede Rodeo has awarded Henry rifles for the previous 10 years, according to Tom Riddle of Mitchell-based Riddle and Sons Guns. Previously, awards were a Weatherby shotgun, according to Riddle. Riddle noted the guns were earned, not won.
Ethan-based grower Shannon Klumb smoked 230 pounds of meat for the community meal. The meat was provided and processed by Wholestone Farms, a group of 235 midwest farmer-growers, including Klumb, who own a meat processing facility in Fremont, Nebraska.
"We own our pigs from inception to all the (processing)," Klumb said.
This is Klumb's 10th year grilling for the Stampede Rodeo community meal, which is free to the public.
Volunteers from Pink Ladies, a dart team supporting local breast cancer relief, served refreshments under the pavilion at Stampede Park during the kick-off and will be there through the remainder of events. The rodeo committee supports the Pink Ladies non-profit.
Mark Sturdevant was chosen as the parade marshal this year. Sturdevant, retired from the Mabee Eye Clinic, is a long-time friend of the rodeo and baked bean connoisseur and long-time bean cook. Sturdevant was called out of retirement this year to bake the beans for the community meal.
The Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. on Main Street and runs from First Avenue to Ninth Avenue. Floats will be judged on best all around float, antiques, best use of theme, humorous and youth, among others.
Barrett noted rodeo was hard to learn by the school of hard knocks, and said he was the result of someone giving him a hand up.
"That's the number one thing that we can do to give back to the rodeo community, and you see this as an example here today. Look at this beautiful facility and what they've created here," Barrett said.
2026 Stampede best window decorating award went to the Pin Cushion, with CorTrust Bank in second, Twin Dragon in third, and Caribou Coffee in fourth.
Continue reading...
