This weekend's grand opening of the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center in the Maynard and Mattie Goff-Newcombe Building at Fort Pierre is providing a special occasion for all South Dakotans who value the state's western tradition and the role of families in creating and perpetuating that tradition.

The center is named for legendary cowboy Casey Tibbs, but he insisted in sharing the tribute.

Dayle Angyal, niece of Tibbs and president of the Casey Tibbs Foundation since its inception in 1990, said her uncle was fine with using his memorabilia, with one stipulation.

"When Casey realized that he was dying of cancer, we asked him if we could use his name and likeness to raise funds to build a little room on to an existing building in Fort Pierre to house his rodeo memorabilia," she said. "He said that would be fine, under one condition. The facility wouldn't just be dedicated to him. 'I want it for all the South Dakota cowgirls and cowboys who weren't able to hit the trail like I did.' Casey felt strongly about the cowboys who had to stay home and raise families and just rodeo locally. He said that many of them were as good as he was but simply didn't get his fame because they didn't get the opportunity. He wanted to share the limelight with those people."

The Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center is a realization of Tibbs' dream, and the board's vision in making it happen.

"That's what we have tried to do with this center," Angyal said. "Make a facility that would make Casey proud and all South Dakotans as well. And so the plan went from one room for Casey to a building encompassing all of South Dakota rodeo history."

The nonprofit foundation conducted various fundraising events over the years to acquire the necessary funds for the facility to properly honor rodeo. The popular annual activities include the Dinner of Champions, typically held in June with the Match of Champions saddle bronc riding contest that features some of the top saddle bronc riders in the world.

But even with rodeo's popularity in the state, the fundraising efforts may have come up short if not for significant financial contributions from Mattie Goff-Newcombe of Sturgis, a renowned trick rider from the 1920s.

"Mattie knew Casey and she knew many of the rodeo people in South Dakota," Janice Bartels, the center's executive director, said. "She felt it was very important that rodeo be honored as much as Casey did, and she recognized that Fort Pierre was the place where the museum should be located. Many years ago, she wrote a check to get the museum started. And when she realized that more funding would be needed, she willed the proceeds of her ranch to the center when she died three years ago. It was that contribution that allowed the project to be completed."

Two life-size bronzes pay homage to Casey and Mattie and greet visitors as they enter the rotunda of the rodeo center. Popular western sculptor T.R. Chytka of Spearfish, himself a rodeo veteran, donated the sculptures.

In addition to the extensive memorabilia of the Casey Tibbs and Mattie Goff collections, the center also features exhibits and artifacts dealing with virtually every aspect of rodeo life.

The centerpiece is the Hall of Champions, a gallery honoring all of South Dakota's world champion rodeo performers dating to 1929.

The complex also houses the Mattie Goff-Newcombe Conference Center, a meeting facility available to groups. The décor features the western and rodeo heritage theme.

Bartels attributes the weekend's overflow crowds to the popularity of rodeo and its connection to most South Dakota families.

"Rodeo is very much a family sport. Most people, even if they didn't compete, have a brother who did, or an uncle. And that family tradition is very much a part of who we are as South Dakotans. I think the beauty of this museum will be that as time goes on, people will continue to bring collectibles in, and the center will continue to expand connecting to even more South Dakota families."