Will be held June 5–6 in Flandreau
By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise
In South Dakota, local rodeos often feel like more than an event on the calendar.
They’re neighbors in the stands. Kids lined up along the fence, peering into the chute. Families who build their summers around dust, livestock and late nights under arena lights.
Rodeo was a life Casey Wilson loved, lived and even wrote songs about. It seems fitting, then, that this year that tradition takes on new meaning with the inaugural Casey Wilson Memorial Rodeo, scheduled for June 5–6 at the Flandreau rodeo grounds.
The idea was first raised this past fall, just months after Wilson tragically passed in an accident on Interstate 90 outside Sioux Falls. Since then, a dedicated group of friends, family members, former roping partners, neighbors and fellow competitors have come together to see it through — knowing how much this way of life meant to Wilson and to the broader regional, if not national, rodeo community he called home.
Friday night’s performance will begin at 7 p.m. and is expected to run about three hours. Saturday will open with slack at 8 a.m., followed by a 2 p.m. honoring for Wilson at the Tribal Community Center on Broad Avenue. The main performance begins at 6 p.m., with a street dance to follow downtown.
The rodeo is being organized through the newly formed Flandreau Rodeo Association, with volunteers and board members quietly laying groundwork since late last year to bring the first-year event to life. Committees are now focused on sponsorships, volunteers, logistics and vendors as plans continue to take shape.
“When the local rodeo community found out the Casino & Tribe were not going to hold a rodeo, members of the Flandreau Rodeo community approached me numerous times about a way to have a rodeo in Flandreau again. These conversations went on for 2 years,” said FRA President Bruce Allen.
“After the horrible & tragic passing of Casey Wilson, I witnessed the tremendous outpouring of support and love that the local community and greater rodeo community had for Casey, and the Wilson family. I saw that there was no better way to honor and show respect to Casey. I called a few of the rodeo dudes I know and mentioned my idea. They were immediately on board. The passing of Casey has become the impetus for the community to band together and hold a rodeo in his honor. Casey was a great friend and agreed to take care of my horses without hesitation. I know Casey would love the return of the rodeo!”
Other FRA officers include Vice President Shaw Loiseau, Treasurer Leanne Amdahl and Secretary Carleen Wild Wilson.
A host of sponsorship opportunities are now available, with organizers emphasizing that funds raised will help support future rodeos and establish scholarships for local youth looking to further their competition level in rodeo and related western sports.
And for many involved, that’s at the heart of the “why.”
Casey Wilson was known not only for his own success in the arena, but for his willingness to encourage young competitors and simply show up — whether that meant loaning out some of his best horses to young competitors, offering roping lessons, opening his own arena for practice, or helping behind the scenes at local events. Friends say the memorial rodeo reflects the kind of western culture he valued: competitive but welcoming, serious about the sport but rooted in community.
Logistical pieces continue to fall into place, and organizers are committed to ensuring this year marks a beginning — setting the tone for an annual tradition that both remembers Wilson and strengthens the local rodeo community moving forward.
Additional details, including sponsorship opportunities and volunteer sign-up information, will be announced in the coming weeks. Updates can be found on the Casey Wilson Memorial Rodeo Facebook page.
Editor’s Note: The author is a member of the Flandreau Rodeo Association and the late Casey Wilson’s wife.
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