Roughrider Days to bring in $3 million to Dickinson, ND

The annual Roughrider Days Fair & Expo is estimated to not only draw many attendees, but over $3 million for the city, a Dickinson Convention and Visitors Bureau official said.

Hotel rooms are filling up, with just a few remaining open over July 2, 3 and 4, said Terri Thiel, executive director of the Dickinson CVB.

“We’re still looking at being pretty busy,” Thiel said. “The closer that we get, the tighter it becomes. Some of them that know they’re coming in for a reunion will book quite a ways out, but some will do it on the spur of the moment and will be those last-minute ones.”

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the annual event, which runs from June 25 through July 4, though pre-celebration events started Memorial Day.

For the entire 10-day event, Thiel estimates over $3 million in impact will be felt throughout the city.

“We end up with quite a few reunions, between class and family reunions that come back,” Thiel said.

Events ranging from rodeo, 4-H events, Family Fun Day, concerts and a demolition derby will all be a part of the fair and expo.

The Roughrider Days Carnival kicks off Wednesday and runs through June 20 at the Prairie Hills Mall.

New this year to the carnival is a ride called “Super Aqua Bubbles.”

“It’s a big huge ball that you can get inside and walk in it, and the ball rolls with you,” said Lisa Heiser, office manager for the Roughrider Commission. “Up there, they’re going to do it over the top of water, so it’s going to be actually like you’re walking across the top of water.”

Heiser said she hopes the new ride will draw those that normally don’t attend the carnival.

Among other events, Heiser said Leann Pollock, known as the “World’s Fastest Trick Rider” is a new feature this year. Pollock will be present during the rodeo June 25, 26 and 27.

A rodeo dance will be held Saturday, June 26.

On Saturday, July 3, the annual parade will be held at 10 a.m. in downtown Dickinson with the theme “The Past 40 Years.”

For more information on Roughrider Days, visit http://roughriderdaysfair.com/.

Tags: daily updates, roughrider days fair & expo, dickinson nd