>> YOU'RE WATCHING A PRODUCTION OF SOUTH DAKOTA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

♪ >> COMING UP ON THIS EPISODE OF "DAKOTA LIFE," WE COWBOY UP!

GET YOUR TRIGGER FINGER READY FOR A QUICK DRAW COMPETITION IN MITCHELL.

>> IT'S THE FIRST FASTEST THREE SHOTS RECORDED.

AND UP ABOVE US YOU'LL SEE THE DISPLAY UP THERE THAT REGISTERS DOWN TO A THOUSANDTH OF A SECOND.

AND JUST A LITTLE BIT AGO, WE HAD TWO MEN SHOOT A .425, WHICH IS JUST UNDER A HALF A SECOND.

>> SADDLE UP FOR THE SCOTTIE STAMPEDE.

LEARN WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED AT THE HIGH SCHOOL RODEO FINALS.

HIT THE TRAIL FOR AN OLD WEST WAGON TRAIN RIDE ON THE CHEYENNE RIVER RESERVATION.

>> I MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN HORSEBACK FOR QUITE A WHILE, BUT YOU JUST STEP IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S JUST LIKE YOU'RE HOME.

>> PLUS, CELEBRATE WESTERN TRADITIONS IN FORT PIERRE.

IT'S ALL COMING UP ON THIS EPISODE OF "DAKOTA LIFE."

>> HELLO, AND WELCOME TO "DAKOTA LIFE," I'M LARRY ROHRER.

THE COWBOY SPIRIT IS ALIVE AND KICKING ACROSS THE STATE, AND IT MADE A STOP IN MITCHELL THIS PAST SUMMER.

WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE ISN'T SOMETHING FROM A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE OR EVEN A DEADWOOD RE-ENACTMENT.

THESE ARE MODERN-DAY PEOPLE COMPETING TO PUT THEIR NAMES IN THE HISTORY BOOKS ALONGSIDE FAMOUS GUNSLINGERS LIKE WYATT EARP AND WILD BILL HICKOK.

IT'S A CONTEST TO SEE WHO'S THE ACE AND WHO'S JUST PLAIN YELLA.

♪ [ GUNSHOTS ] >> THIS MIGHT LOOK LIKE A SCENE FROM THE O.K.

CORRAL BUT THIS TOURNAMENT HAS ALL THE MAKINGS OF A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED DUEL WITHOUT THE BLOODSHED.

IN JUNE 2015, PARTICIPANTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY TOOK AIM IN MITCHELL FOR THE COWBOY FAST DRAW TRIPLE CROWN.

THE WEEK FEATURED THREE TOURNAMENTS THAT CONCLUDED WITH THE U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

IT'S ONE OF THE RARE SPORTS WHERE WINNERS AND LOSERS ARE DECIDED IN UNDER A SECOND.

>> WE CALL IT THE TRIPLE CROWN, WITH THE THREE TITLED CONTEST, HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE.

AND IT'S BEEN A GOOD SUCCESS SO FAR.

WE HAVE SIX LANES UP HERE.

AND YOU'RE PAIRED OFF.

JUST ONE AND TWO ARE JUST SHOOTING AGAINST EACH OTHER, THREE AND FOUR, FIVE AND SIX.

THE FIRST FASTEST THREE SHOTS, WE LIKE TO SAY THREE.

WE CALL IT A THREE OUT OF FIVE MATCH.

YOU DON'T SHOOT FIVE SHOTS AND YOU'RE DONE NO MATTER WHAT, IT'S THE FIRST FASTEST THREE SHOTS RECORDED.

AND UP ABOVE US YOU'LL SEE THE DISPLAY UP THERE THAT REGISTERS DOWN TO A THOUSANDTH OF A SECOND.

AND JUST A LITTLE BIT AGO, WE HAD TWO MEN SHOOT A .425, WHICH IS JUST UNDER A HALF A SECOND.

BUT BOTH OF THEM SHOT IT AT AN EVEN TIE.

AND IT'S AMAZING HOW MUCH IT -- YOU WOULDN'T THINK IT HAPPENS THAT OFTEN GOING INTO THE THOUSANDTHS BUT IT DOES.

>> ON LANE 2, WISCONSIN'S ONE SHOT BONNIE ON LANE 3, AUTOMATIC FROM ARIZONA OVER ON LANE 4, THE NEBRASKAN FROM CALIFORNIA -- NO, NEBRASKA.

>> ALONG WITH THE SLICK GUNS AND FANCY WESTERN ATTIRE, EACH SHOOTER PICKS AN ALIAS.

THE NEBRASKAN, LITTLE COUNTRY TRADER, AND BOULDER VAQUERO ARE ALL NICKNAMES USED TO REPRESENT THEMSELVES IN THE HEAT OF BATTLE.

IT ADDS A LITTLE SPIRIT OF THE WEST TO THE WEEKLONG COMPETITIONS.

>> FOR A LOT OF THE PEOPLE, IT'S RELIVING THEIR CHILDHOOD.

YOU JUST PICK YOUR NAME.

SOME JUST TAKE A CHARACTER OF THE OLD WEST.

OTHERS, MYSELF, I'M BOULDER VAQUERO IS MY ALIAS.

I SHOOT A RUGER VAQUERO AND MY NICKNAME IN HIGH SCHOOL WAS BOULDER.

SO I JUST THREW IT TOGETHER AND IT'S BOULDER VAQUERO.

>> YOU DRESS THE PART.

YOU WANT TO GET INTO THE PART.

AND YOU HAVE ANOTHER PERSON THAT YOU'RE SHOOTING AGAINST RIGHT NEXT TO YOU.

SO IT IS A CONTEST.

AND I MEAN, IT'S, YOU'RE GOING FOR EVERYTHING YOU CAN AND IT'S A MIND GAME BECAUSE EVERYTHING YOU PRACTICE AT HOME USUALLY STAYS AT HOME SO WHEN YOU GET TO A RANGE LIKE THIS, DIFFERENT THINGS HAPPEN, THINGS GET INTO YOUR MIND, JUST LITTLE THINGS, AND YOU START MISSING TARGETS.

BUT IT'S A MIND GAME.

>> IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE ALL FUN AND GAMES, BUT SHOOTERS EMPHASIZE SAFETY FIRST AND SHOOTING SECOND.

ALTHOUGH EVERY GUN DRAWN IS REAL AND AUTHENTIC, THE AMMUNITION USED BY EACH SHOOTER HAS BEEN MODIFIED.

>> FOR COMPETITION, WE HAVE -- IT'S A .45 LONG COLT CASE WITH A MAGNUM PISTOL PRIMER IN IT.

AND ABOUT 3.2 TO 3.4 GRAINS OF TRIPLE "F" BLACK POWDER.

PROPELS A .45 CALIBER WAX BULLET.

RUNNING AT ABOUT 700, 750 FEET A SECOND.

BUT LOSES VELOCITY VERY QUICK.

IT'S A SAFE INDOOR SPORT.

WHAT YOU SEE, THE BLACK BEHIND US IS CALLED BALLISTIC NETTING.

IT'S ACTUALLY PART OF WHAT THE KEVLAR VESTS -- WHAT BULLETPROOF JACKETS ARE MADE OF.

>> ALONG WITH THESE PRECAUTIONS, THE EVENT EDUCATES YOUNG MARKSMEN ABOUT GUN SAFETY.

>> WE START THEM AT AGE 8.

A PERIOD UP UNTIL THEY ARE 12 YEARS OLD, THEY HAVE TO DRAW THE GUN, COCK THE HAMMER WITH ONE HAND, KEEP IT IN CONTROL WITH BOTH HANDS TO SHOOT THE GUN.

AND THEY HAVE TO START WITH THEIR HAND OUTSIDE THE BODY.

THEY GO THROUGH -- THEY HAVE A WRITTEN TEST.

THEY GOT TO BE ABLE TO NAME THE PARTS OF THE GUN, WHAT'S GOING TO TAKE PLACE, HOW IT FIRES.

AND THEN WE TALK ABOUT A 170 RULE, WHERE PEOPLE DON'T SWEEP PEOPLE WITH THE GUN BARREL.

YOU HAVE TO KEEP IT INSIDE THE FIRING LINE.

ANYTHING HAPPENS BEHIND THE FIRING LINE IS A SAFETY VIOLATION AND THAT'S LOSS OF A ROUND.

ONCE THEY'VE REACHED 12, AT THAT POINT THEY ARE ABLE TO SHOOT ONE-HANDED.

AND UP UNTIL THEY ARE 16 YEARS OLD, THAT IS WHERE THEY ARE IN AND SHOOT WITH THE ADULTS.

AND AT THAT TIME, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY -- WE'VE STARTED LAST YEAR WAS THEY PRESENT A LETTER.

NOT WHAT ABOUT SHOOTING BUT ABOUT THE SPORTSMANSHIP, THE CONDUCT, WHAT IT'S DOING FOR THEM AND WHAT THEY'RE GETTING OUT OF IT.

>> USUALLY I PUT MY LEFT LEG BEHIND, I PUT MY RIGHT FEET AT THE FRONT AND I USUALLY SHOOT WITH ONE HAND AND I PUT MY ARM HERE.

AND I JUST DRAW IT, AND JUST COCK THE HAMMER, AND JUST PULL THE TRIGGER.

WELL, IT'S KIND OF A LITTLE CHALLENGING, BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER WHO YOU'RE CHALLENGING.

SOMETIMES THEY'RE KIND OF FAST BUT I JUST TAKE IT SLOW AND EASY BECAUSE I DON'T CARE HOW FAST I AM.

I CARE ABOUT I'M HITTING THE TARGET ALL THE TIME.

>> SHOOTING FOR THE TITLE OF TOP GUN ISN'T THE ONLY GOAL FOR THE WEEK.

HONORING AMERICAN VETERANS IS ALSO A TOP PRIORITY.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF VETERANS THAT SHOOT.

AND WE JUST TRULY FEEL THAT WE NEED TO HONOR THEM AS BEST WE CAN.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHY WE DO THE CEREMONY THIS YEAR, IT'S NOT THE LAST THING WE ARE DOING FOR OUR VETERANS BUT WE LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THEM.

AND THAT'S WHY WE PURCHASED THE HENRY SERVICEMENS RIFLE.

WE HAD 26 VETERANS HERE.

OUTLAW OUT OF KANSAS WAS THE FORTUNATE ONE TO WIN THAT.

IF I COULD HAVE GOTTEN ONE FOR EVERY ONE OF THEM, I WOULD HAVE DONE IT.

AND I MAKE KNIVES, I HAND-MADE FOUR KNIVES OUT OF DAMASCUS STEEL AND PUT THEM IN WALNUT PRESENTATION CASES AND ONE FROM EACH BRANCH, THE ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, AND MARINES.

SO THEY GET A CHANCE TO WIN THAT KNIFE AND JUST ANOTHER LITTLE THANK YOU TO HONOR THEM.

YOU KNOW, WE GET THESE FREEDOMS BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY'VE DONE FOR US AND WE JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE EVERYTHING THEY DO FOR US.

>> ALTHOUGH THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TRAVELS TO COLORADO FOR 2016, NEXT SUMMER GUNSLINGERS CAN EXPECT ANOTHER SHOWDOWN OUT ON THE PRAIRIE.

♪ >> FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPETITION, VISIT OUR WEBPAGE.

>>> COMMUNITIES ACROSS SOUTH DAKOTA ARE KNOWN FOR FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS, LIKE THE ANNUAL CZECH DAYS IN TABOR AND MENNO'S OKTOBERFEST.

THE TOWN OF SCOTLAND HAS HELD A CELEBRATION, 50 YEARS STRONG, BUT YOU WON'T FIND ANYONE WEARING KILTS, PLAYING BAGPIPES OR EATING HAGGIS.

HERE'S MORE.

♪ >> IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN TO SCOTLAND IN AUGUST, YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD A THING OR TWO ABOUT SCOTTIE DAYS.

FOR OVER HALF A CENTURY, ADULTS AND CHILDREN ALIKE FLOOD THE STREETS OF SCOTLAND FOR A WEEKEND OF GAMES, PARADES, AND RODEO.

FEW KNOW THE PARADE OR PEOPLE BETTER THAN TERK.

>> WELL, I MOVED TO TOWN, TO SCOTLAND HERE, TEN YEARS AGO AND SOMEHOW I GOT LASSOED OR GOAT TIED INTO DOING THE ANNOUNCING.

I GUESS SOMEONE HEARD I LIKED TO TALK, SO, ANYWAY, HERE I AM.

HERE'S THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HOME OF CZECH DAYS.

I LOVE TO ANNOUNCE THE PARADE AND DIFFERENT FLOATS, AND I KNOW MOST OF THE PEOPLE COMING ALL RIGHT, GOOD TO SEE YOU, JIM, ALL RIGHT, KIND OF MAKES IT INTERESTING AND FUN.

PROBABLY THE BEST PART OF IT.

>> WHEN THE DUST SETTLES FROM THE PARADE, THE STREETS TRANSFORM INTO A WONDERLAND FULL OF GAMES FOR ALL AGES.

>> THEY HAD PLEXIGLASS ON LIKE A BUILDING AND THERE WAS TWO HOLES FOR DIFFERENT SIZED PEOPLE.

ON ONE END THE PLEXIGLASS BROKE SO THEN THEY HAD US WEAR HELMETS SO WE WOULDN'T GET WATER IN OUR EYES.

THEN THEY DECIDED JUST TO PUT HELMETS ON BOTH SIDES AND HAD A LOT OF FUN.

♪ >> WE'VE GOT THE SCOTLAND ROTARY COW PATTY BINGO.

EVERY YEAR AT RODEO DAYS WE HAVE 100 SQUARES PAINTED ON THE CONCRETE AND THEN WE SELL RAFFLE TICKETS, $5 APIECE AND IT'S ONE OF OUR FUND-RAISERS FOR OUR SCHOLARSHIPS WE GIVE AWAY TO A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR EVERY YEAR.

WE USUALLY GIVE TWO $1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS AWAY.

WE LET THE CRITTER OUT AND LET IT DO ITS DUTIES AND THE FIRST DEPOSIT IS DROPPED, THAT'S THE $100 WINNER AND THEN WE PLAY TWO SPLATTER WINNERS FOR $10 EACH.

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE DOING A CORN HOLE TOURNAMENT, BEST OUT OF THREE WINS.

THERE'S A 15-MINUTE TIME LIMIT.

ALL THE PROCEEDS ARE GOING TO GO TO DELMONT DISASTER FUND FOR HELPING THEM REBUILD FROM THEIR TORNADO.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR WE'VE EVER DONE THIS.

BASICALLY IT'S A NINE-HOLE GOLF COURSE THAT OUR ADVISER CAME UP WITH AND WE JUST PUT IT TOGETHER, IT BEING A BOOK OR A MOVIE OR A SONG THAT YOU CAN FIND IN A LIBRARY.

ALL OF THESE COURSES ARE SPONSORED BY A BUSINESS AND WE HAD TOO MANY BUSINESSES SPONSOR US SO WE HAD TO START SPONSORING FOR PUTTERS.

I MEAN, THAT'S JUST THE KIND OF SUPPORT YOU GET HERE IS JUST THE COMMUNITY WILL HELP YOU IF YOU PUT IT ON AND PEOPLE ENJOY IT.

>> ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES LEAD UP TO THE MAIN EVENT, THE RODEO.

THE STAMPEDE DRAWS IN COMPETITORS FROM ACROSS THE REGION.

ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS TALKS ABOUT HOW THE RODEO GOT STARTED 50 YEARS AGO.

>> THE CITY DECIDED TO CLEAN IT UP OR TEAR IT DOWN SO WE BOUGHT IT FROM THE VFW, JUST THE MATERIAL ON TOP, WE DON'T OWN THE GROUND, THAT BELONGS TO THE CITY, BUT IT'S JUST THE MATERIAL ON TOP AND THAT'S JUST TO PROMOTE RODEO AND WE THOUGHT WE'VE DONE A PRETTY FAIR JOB AT IT.

>> THE EVENT CONTINUES TO GROW AND GET BETTER THANKS TO HARDWORKING VOLUNTEERS.

>> THIS COMMUNITY SUPPORTS ITS ORGANIZATIONS WELL.

PEOPLE VOLUNTEER TO HELP AND MAKE THINGS HAPPEN AND WITHOUT ALL THOSE VOLUNTEERS THIS PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE PULLED OFF EVERY YEAR.

WE'VE GOT AN OLDER GENERATION THAT STARTED IT AND CONTINUE TO WORK ON IT AND WE'VE GOT A YOUNGER GENERATION THAT'S COMING IN AND DOING THEIR PART AND IT MAKES IT MORE MANAGEABLE AND WITH THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE A GOOD TIME.

IT'S A FAMILY ATMOSPHERE AND WHEN THEY HAVE FUN THEY COME BACK AND WANT TO DO IT AGAIN SO THAT MAKES IT COME BACK THE NEXT YEAR.

>> AND NOW, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I'M GOING TO HAND THE MICROPHONE OVER TO... >> RODEO AND SOUTH DAKOTA GO TOGETHER LIKE A PAIR OF BOOTS AND SPURS, NATURALLY, BECAUSE IT'S OUR STATE SPORT.

EACH YEAR, THE SOUTH DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOL RODEO ASSOCIATION WORKS HARD TO HELP YOUNG COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS SHOWCASE THEIR RODEO TALENTS AT THE STATE LEVEL.

HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW IT ALL COMES TOGETHER.

>> EACH YEAR HIGH SCHOOL COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS RIDE ON IN TO BELL FOURCHE FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL RODEO FINALS.

TO THESE CONTESTANTS, RODEO ISN'T SIMPLY A SPORT, IT'S A WAY OF LIFE.

CRAMMING HUNDREDS OF CONTESTANTS, SPECTATORS, AND LIVESTOCK INTO A THREE-DAY EVENT IS NO EASY TASK, AND THE RIDE TO MAKE IT ALL COME TOGETHER LASTS A LOT LONGER THAN EIGHT SECONDS.

FOR THE RODEO TO BE A SUCCESS, IT NEEDS A FACILITY THAT CAN HANDLE MULTIPLE EVENTS AT ONCE AND A COMMUNITY FULL OF VOLUNTEERS.

CLAY BIRKELAND IS A MEMBER OF THIS YEAR'S HOST COMMITTEE, WHOSE JOB IS TO MAKE THE RODEO FIT IN BELLE FOURCHE.

>> THE PROCESS INVOLVES A SERIES OF MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

WE HAVE OUR ANNUAL MEETING FOR THE ASSOCIATION IS SEPTEMBER, WE HAVE A MEETING DURING THE WINTER EACH YEAR AT THE STOCK SHOW, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE A MEETING HERE DURING THE FINALS IN BELLE FOURCHE AND THROUGH THOSE WE WILL HELP DICTATE WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPLIMENTS OF HAVING THE RODEO IN BELLE FOURCHE IS THAT WE HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT IS FAIRLY RODEO ORIENTED, UH, WE HAVE A LOT OF KIDS ON OUR TEAM, WE HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT UNDERSTANDS RODEO VERY WELL, WE INVEST HEAVILY IN OUR FACILITIES SO THAT WE CAN HOST THIS RODEO, OUR PRCA RODEO, THE 4-H RODEO, OTHER ARMATURE RODEOS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, SO WE HAVE A VERY GOOD GRASP OF WHAT IT TAKES TO PULL A RODEO OFF.

>> THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ROPING IN SPONSORSHIPS TO FUND THE RODEO FALLS INTO THE HANDS OF DIGGER RUTTEN, WHOSE EFFORTS ACQUIRE CHAMPIONSHIP SADDLES, JACKETS, AND TRIP TO NATIONALS, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

DESPITE THE LARGE AMOUNT OF CASH NEEDED, DIGGER SAYS HIS JOB IS EASY, THANKS TO SPONSORS WHO THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE.

>> THIS STATE IS VERY, VERY GOOD ABOUT GIVING BACK OR SPONSORING FOR THE YOUTH.

THEY UNDERSTAND IF THEY SUPPORT THIS GENERATION, THEY'RE GONNA COME BACK.

>> BUT JUST LIKE A ROUND OF TEAM ROPING, A LOT OF MOVING PARTS NEED SOMETHING TO TIE THEM ALL TOGETHER.

THAT'S WHERE THE STATE HIGH SCHOOL RODEO ASSOCIATION STEPS IN.

>> WE DEAL WITH MEMBERSHIPS, CALENDAR SALES, KIDS GRADES, SO ON AND SO FORTH, AND, YA KNOW, IT'S NOT A LOT OF WORK BUT AT TIMES, YA KNOW, IT'S HECTIC FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME.

THE REST OF THE TIME IT'S ALL PRETTY SMOOTH.

>> DESPITE THE YEAR-LONG EFFORT TO ORGANIZE THIS EVENT, A GOOD RODEO NEEDS GOOD ATHLETES, WHETHER IN THE FORM OF MAN OR BEAST.

♪ >> TO SEE THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE SOUTH DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL TEAM, FOLLOW THE LINK ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> WAGON TRAINS AND TRAIL RIDES ARE A PART OF LIFE IN SOUTH DAKOTA AND PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TRAVEL HERE TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCE.

SDPB PRODUCER BRIAN GEVIK AND VIDEOGRAPHER JOSH KAPPLER TRAVELED TO THE CHEYENNE RIVER RESERVATION LAST SUMMER THROUGH SOME OF SOUTH DAKOTA'S MOST SPECTACULAR AND LEAST-VIEWED LANDSCAPES.

♪ >> THE POINT OF BEING OUT ON THE PRAIRIE ON HORSEBACK OR IN A HORSE-DRAWN VEHICLE IS ONE THAT PRETTY MUCH MAKES ITSELF.

THERE'S NO EXPERIENCE LIKE IT AND NO PLACE LIKE THIS.

♪ >> THIS PARTICULAR TRIP IS A THREE-DAY, 30-MILE JAUNT BETWEEN EAGLE BUTTE AND ISABEL, RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE CHEYENNE RIVER INDIAN RESERVATION.

THERE ARE TWO DOZEN WAGONS AND TWICE AS MANY RIDERS.

MOST OF THE TRAIL IS ON PRIVATE LAND OPENED JUST THIS ONCE FOR THIS EVENT.

THE EVENT'S ORGANIZER WORKED WITH THE LANDOWNERS AND PLANNED THE ROUTE WITH A VERY SPECIFIC GOAL IN MIND.

>> THIS COUNTRY HERE, YOU KNOW, IT'S RANCH COUNTRY AND IT'S REALLY NICE, YOU KNOW.

YOU LOOK AROUND, YOU CAN SEE FOR MILES AND MILES, AND THIS IS WHY I ORGANIZED THIS SO THAT EVERYBODY COULD COME AND SEE OUR BEAUTY, YOU KNOW.

PEOPLE LOOK AT RESERVATION LIFE AS REAL DOWN-TRODDEN, YOU KNOW, AND I'M TRYING TO PROMOTE SOME HARMONY WITHIN THE TWO CULTURES.

>> HE SAYS, THESE ARE ALL HIS FRIENDS, HE'S KNOWN MOST OF THEM FOR YEARS.

HE'S REALLY HAPPY TO HAVE THEM HERE WHERE I GREW UP.

-- WHERE HE GREW UP.

>> IT GIVES THE CHEYENNE RIVER RESERVATION A LOT OF EXPOSURE AND YOU'VE SEEN A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY.

I GUESS THAT'S ABOUT WHAT I WANT TO SEE, YOU KNOW?

AND ALL OF OUR FRIENDS COMING TOGETHER.

LIKE I SAID, WE'RE KIND OF LIKE A FAMILY.

IT'S JUST SUCH A WONDERFUL LIFE, YOU KNOW?

I WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING.

>> IT REALLY IS A FAMILY EVENT.

PART VACATION AND PART SOMETHING ELSE.

SOMETHING LIKE HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF.

LORETTA AND WILLIE COWAN ARE HERE WITH SOME OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.

THAT'S WILLIE DRIVING.

THEIR CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN, AND GREAT GRANDCHILDREN ARE ALL HERE WITH THEM.

FOUR GENERATIONS.

>> IT'S SOMETHING THEY WANT TO DO AND IT'S THEIR HERITAGE, YOU KNOW?

>> WE'VE DONE THESE THINGS OUR WHOLE LIVES.

WE GREW UP HORSEBACK.

EVERY DAY.

AND FOR THOSE OF US NOW, LIKE MYSELF AND MY SISTERS, WE'RE NOT ON THE RANCH.

WE HAVE OTHER CAREERS AND THIS IS, THIS IS KIND OF, I GUESS MY DAD SAID, LIKE A FAMILY REUNION.

AND IT JUST BRINGS YOU BACK TO THOSE ROOTS.

AT LEAST FIVE OR SIX GENERATIONS ON MY MOM AND MY DAD'S SIDE.

YOU KNOW, THEY WERE HORSE PEOPLE AND RAISED GOOD HORSES AND A LOT OF MY EXTENDED FAMILY STILL DOES.

I MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN HORSEBACK FOR QUITE A WHILE BUT YOU JUST STEP IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S JUST LIKE YOU'RE HOME.

>> ON THE THIRD DAY OUT FROM EAGLE BUTTE, RIDERS AND WAGONS REACH THEIR DESTINATION.

NOBODY HAS SAID THAT THERE WILL OR WON'T BE ANOTHER RIDE HERE NEXT YEAR, BUT IT'S A GOOD BET THAT ANY OF THESE FOLKS WHO CAN WILL BE TOGETHER AND OUT ON SOME TRAIL SOMEWHERE.

>> SOUTH DAKOTA'S PIONEER PAST IS A REAL SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR MANY IN THE STATE, AND THAT PAST COMES ALIVE FOR A FEW DAYS EVERY SUMMER AT THE ANNUAL DAKOTA WESTERN HERITAGE FESTIVAL IN FORT PIERRE.

SDPB'S BRIAN GEVIK BRINGS US THIS LOOK AT THE CELEBRATION, WHICH, NOT SURPRISINGLY, STARTS WITH A WAGON TRAIN TRAVELING RIGHT DOWN MAIN STREET.

♪ >> THIS IS THE FOURTH YEAR.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE THOUGHT OF AS A WAY TO TRY TO HELP PEOPLE BECOME A LITTLE MORE EDUCATED ABOUT WESTERN TRADITIONS, THE WESTERN WAY OF LIFE, AND HAVE SOME ENTERTAINMENT AT THE SAME TIME.

♪ >> IF WE LET ALL THIS GET AWAY FROM US, WHY, IT'S JUST LIKE DRIVING THIS TEAM.

MY DAD TAUGHT ME, HIS DAD TAUGHT HIM, AND IF I DON'T TEACH A GRANDSON OR GREAT-GRANDSON, IT'S GONE.

YEE HAW!

>> AFTER THE WAGON TRAIN WE ARE SETTING UP HERE IN THE RODEO ARENA AND THE HAYES VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO PUT ON A STEAK FEED, A BENEFIT STEAK FEED.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> OUR BACKGROUND IS GOING TO BE SOME VERY AUTHENTIC CHUCKWAGONS.

AND WE'VE GOT SOME VERY AUTHENTIC, REAL-LIFE COWBOYS THAT ARE FANTASTIC MUSICIANS AND POETS, AND WE'RE GOING TO SPEND THE EVENING UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THOSE PEOPLE AND JUST HAVE A GOOD TIME TONIGHT.

♪ WAY OUT ON THE PLAINS, YOU DON'T GET HAIL IF YOU DON'T GET RAIN ♪ ♪ AND WHEN THOSE FIELDS DON'T MAKE ENOUGH ♪ >> THE COWBOY MUSIC AND POETRY IS THE REAL DEAL.

THERE'S NOTHING COMMERCIAL ABOUT IT.

IT'S NOT "COUNTRY," IT'S "COWBOY."

IT'S COWBOY STORIES AND POETRY.

IT'S HUMOR, IT'S SAD TIMES, IT'S LONELY TIMES, IT'S HOT AND COLD TIMES, IT'S WHAT THE LIFE OF A COWBOY WAS LIKE.

>> HE LAID THERE ON THE GROUND ANTICIPATING DAWN.

BUT MEMORIES WOULD ABOUND UNTIL THE STARS WERE GONE.

HE CAMPED THERE EVERY YEAR NEXT TO THE ACHING PEN, WHERE BRONCS ONCE SENSED THE FEAR OF BOYS BECOMING MEN.

>> THE LAST REAL COW HERDS AND CATTLE DRIVES CAME THROUGH FORT PIERRE AND UP TO MOBRIDGE AND THAT COUNTRY.

AND WE SEEM TO HAVE STARTED LOSING SOME OF THAT KNOWLEDGE, SOME OF THAT FAMILY HERITAGE, SOME OF THAT WESTERN HERITAGE, SOME OF THE TRADITIONS THAT MAKE US UNIQUE.

THE OPENNESS, THE HONESTY OF THE PEOPLE, THE WILLINGNESS TO WORK, TO HELP WITHOUT ANY QUESTIONS ASKED, THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT PEOPLE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TO DO THE HARD WORK THAT SOMETIMES IT TAKES TO ACCOMPLISH THINGS, IN THIS AREA ESPECIALLY WITH THE RANCHERS AND THE KIND OF LIFESTYLE THEY HAD.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CHILDREN UNDERSTAND.

HOW THEY GOT HERE.

♪ THIS SONG IS FOR STUDENTS OF HISTORY ♪ ♪ ANSWER'S QUITE SIMPLE ♪ FOR ALL TO SEE ♪ WHY SO MANY RANCHERS, COUNTRY FOLKS ALL AROUND ♪ ♪ SOLD THE RANCH, TOOK A MORTGAGE AND MOVED INTO TOWN ♪ ♪ WELL, FIRST LET ME TELL YA, IT AIN'T BETTER JOBS ♪ ♪ TURN RESPECTABLE RANCHERS INTO FACTORY SLOBS ♪ ♪ IT ISN'T THE INSECTS, IT ISN'T THE DUST ♪ ♪ IT ISN'T CROP FAILURES, IT'S JUST THAT THEY MUST ♪ ♪ GET OUT OF THE TRUCK, CLOSE THE DOOR, OPEN THE GATE, GET BACK IN THE TRUCK, DRIVE THROUGH THE GATE, GET OUT OF THE TRUCK, CLOSE THE GATE, GET BACK IN THE TRUCK, CLOSE THE DOOR ♪ AND DRIVE ON ♪ >> WE'VE POSTED PICTURES AND MORE VIDEO FROM THE DAKOTA WESTERN HERITAGE FESTIVAL ON OUR WEBSITE.

WELL, THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR THIS EPISODE OF "DAKOTA LIFE."

WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE TODAY'S PRGROAM WITH SOME SPECTACULAR FOOTAGE OF THE SUPERMOON LUNAR ECLIPSE.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT SOUTH DAKOTA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, THANKS FOR MAKING "DAKOTA LIFE" PART OF YOUR LIFE.

♪ ♪