DEADWOOD - The Days of '76, one of the Black Hills' premier special events for more than eight decades, has once again taken the award for Medium Outdoor Rodeo of the Year at rodeo's version of the Academy Awards in Las Vegas, Nev., on Wednesday night.

Year in and year out, the Days of '76 has been considered a favorite among the bull riders, calf ropers, saddle bronc riders, barrel racers and others who compete in this Black Hills community for tens of thousands of dollars in prize money. This is the ninth time the rodeo has been honored by the PRCA.

"Winning the best rodeo in its class nine of the past 10 years is an obvious indication of just how special this rodeo is," said last year's chairman Greg Nelson.

Nelson says the honor is a tribute to the committee and many volunteers who put in countless hours to ensure the success of the event. "The great thing about this group is that the committee takes pride in getting out there and doing the work required to stage a premiere rodeo. When the contestants are competing and see the committee members out there getting dirty, they appreciate that," he said.

"This is a very prestigious national award and Deadwood should be very proud of their rodeo," added Nelson. "There are more than 750 PRCA rodeos each year and to be singled out as one of the best is truly an accomplishment."