For a community that hadn’t hosted a rodeo in years, the turnout was hard to miss. The inaugural Casey Wilson Memorial Rodeo drew large crowds to Flandreau over the weekend, leaving organizers optimistic about its future.
The weekend kicked off Friday evening with a 7 p.m. performance that attracted more than 700 spectators and helped generate one of the largest crowds officials at the nearby Royal River Casino say they have ever experienced.
Saturday night’s performance drew an even larger audience, prompting organizers to bring in additional seating Saturday afternoon to accommodate the crowd.
“We had over twice the bleacher space of previous rodeos, and they were basically pretty full,” said tribal elder Bruce Allen, who helped spearhead the effort to revive rodeo in Flandreau in honor of Wilson.
Wilson, who was killed in a vehicle accident on Interstate 90 near Sioux Falls in June 2025, was an accomplished team roper who stepped away from the competitive arena to focus on raising his family in the Flandreau area. Originally from Plankinton, he became a beloved figure throughout the region through his work as a farrier, musician, businessman and mentor to countless young rodeo athletes.
The rodeo was organized by a volunteer committee of nearly 20 friends, family, and community members who have spent the past six months planning the event.
“We want to extend a sincere thank you to every person who purchased a ticket, entered an event, donated, sponsored, worked behind the scenes, or simply showed up to support the rodeo,” Ethan Hill said.
“Your generosity and dedication helped us create an event worthy of Casey’s memory.”
Hill said the weekend also served as a reminder of the strength of the Flandreau community and an opportunity to showcase the area to visitors from across South Dakota and neighboring states.
“One of the greatest things this weekend reminded us of is what makes Flandreau so special,” Hill said.
“Often overlooked by those passing through, Flandreau is truly one of South Dakota’s hidden gems. It’s a community where neighbors still help neighbors, where people rally around families in times of need, and where traditions are passed from one generation to the next. The support shown throughout rodeo weekend demonstrated exactly why so many of us are proud to call this place home.”
Organizers said they hope visitors left with a deeper appreciation for the hospitality, pride and sense of community that have long defined the area.
“Casey embodied the values that make rural communities strong — faith, family, hard work, and a servant’s heart — and those values were on full display throughout the weekend,” he said.
The plan is for the rodeo to become an annual tradition.
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