Dream Wedding Receptions at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center

wedding reception rapid city
Feb. 21.
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By GotMine | Posted in Black Hills Life, Civic Center News |

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A Showcase of Hollywood Hits: Broadway’s Hooray for Hollywood

hooray for hollywood
Feb. 13.
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By GotMine | Posted in Civic Center News, Theatre |

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northern plains outdoor expo
Feb. 07.

The Transformation: Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo® to Northern Plains Outdoor Expo

Sure, housekeeping chores can be a real drag. Then again, it sure beats tidying up after 80 tons of dirt has been dropped in your living room. It’s been a busy month at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, and all signs show full speed ahead. As the annual Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo® wrapped up on Saturday, February 2nd, crews immediately began the massive, necessary changeover from cleanup to setup for the Northern Plains Outdoor Expo.

However, for Assistant Operations Manager Tom Barber, this definitely isn’t his first rodeo. “We’ve done this year after year, so everybody knows what we need to get accomplished,” says Barber. He explains that a crew of 65 employees has worked around the clock from Saturday night until Wednesday evening. On Thursday, Northern Plains Outdoor Expo vendors will begin moving into Rushmore Hall and Barnett Arena in preparation for the event’s kickoff on Friday.

While the changeover is a lengthy process, Barber says the most challenging aspect is simply removing all of the dust. Crews pressure wash all the walls and restrooms, removing millions of particles that coat the facility. The task has its benefits, too. “Usually when the dust goes, the smell goes out with it,” says Barber.

For Barber and his crew, the changeover from the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo® is the biggest of the year. “It’s definitely the toughest one to change over and get clean again, just due to the huge size and sheer amount of dirt left behind,” Barber admits. The task provides valuable experience for the rest of the year. Next week the team will quickly change the Ice Arena from a Rush hockey game to high school wrestling the following day. In March, staff will transform Barnett Arena from Monster Trucks to the much anticipated 3 Doors Down concert, and the next week will bring a changeover from Jeff Dunham to a Rush hockey game the next day.

While changeovers bring plenty of work for Rushmore Plaza Civic Center staff, it’s an undertaking we’re happy to tackle. Tight changeovers mean a full schedule and a variety of events for the community to attend. We look forward to hosting entertainment and events of all types in the coming months, beginning with the Northern Plains Outdoor Expo this weekend.

This Friday through Sunday, visitors will have the opportunity to browse the area’s most exciting selection of inventory under one roof, as well as a Big Buck, Bull, & Mt. Lion Contest, Live Auction, seminars, gun raffle, youth archery, gift and art area, and free kid’s activities, among others. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for kids ages 7-15, and free for children 6 and under. A $12 weekend wristband pass is also available for purchase. See you at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center!

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horsemanship clinic
Jan. 29.

Rodney Yost Horsemanship Clinic Provides Unique Opportunity

You know how the saying goes: “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.” Just like you can’t force someone to do something they don’t want to, award winning horse trainer Rodney Yost knows it’s best to encourage a horse to learn on their own. For anyone looking to steal a few of his secrets, Yost is offering a Horsemanship Clinic in Barnett Arena at 10:00am on Friday, February 1st.

A fourth generation South Dakota rancher who’s been working with horses since he was a child, Yost gradually developed training methods throughout the years. He now works with a number of horses at different riding levels to demonstrate his process of creating a horse that respects their rider.

The Horsemanship Clinic will cover a wide variety of topics, including handling your horse on the ground to gain control of his body and respect, softening and flexing from the ground and saddle, body control from the ground and saddle, rider safety from the ground and saddle, and advanced horsemanship maneuvers while riding as well as a bareback/bridle-less demonstration.

During the event, Yost will offer instruction for those looking to train their horse, or simply become a better rider. Working with four of five horses in different stages of training, attendees will be able to witness Yost as he demonstrates techniques he utilizes in training. The end goal is that people will take Yost’s tips home and put them to use with their own horses.

The clinic will begin at the lowest level of training, and advance into Yost riding his own horse without a saddle or bridle. This act is included to demonstrate that you can maintain control of the animal without using any of the typical riding gear. Yost hopes that those who attend his clinic will reach high levels of training with their own horses.

How does Yost get horses to cooperate so well? His methods determine a horse’s natural instincts, after which he offers incentives for the horse to want to learn more. Just like children, when you give a horse an incentive to do something, they will focus their efforts into performing well in order to get what they want. Yost has created a large demand for his Horsemanship Clinics by employing this technique, and sharing it with others.

For those looking to train a horse or learn to become a more skilled rider, they are encouraged to attend the Rodney Yost Horsemanship Clinic on Friday, February 1st, from 10:00am to 2:00pm in Rushmore Plaza Civic Center’s Barnett Arena. Friday’s clinic will offer a unique opportunity to witness firsthand the expertise and technique of an accomplished trainer.

And remember that there’s still plenty to see and do at the 2013 Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo®! Tuesday, January 29th will feature the “Battle of the Borders – Saddle Bronc Futurity” event at 7:30pm, followed by the KBHB Bucking Horse & Bull Sale on Wednesday, January 30th and PRCA Rodeo on Thursday, January 31st at 7:30pm.

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