So Many Reasons to Stay in Deadwood in May

Summer is just around the corner, and Deadwood’s event schedule is already packed. With so much to do, it can be hard to choose. If you’re worried about FOMO, why not book a room with us and stay a while? 

Just here for the day? That’s great, too – you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at our in-house Horseshoe Restaurant. The Horseshoe Restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with USDA Choice Prime Rib served daily and breakfast served all day every day. It is the most important meal of the day, after all.  

From historical presentations to live music to beer and bacon, here’s a roundup of what’s happening in May in Deadwood: 

Boozers, Brothels, and Bare-Knuckle Brawlers: Buffalo Bill’s Little Known Business Partner

What: The May 2024 Preservation Thursday topic at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center in Deadwood is titled Boozers, Brothels, and Bare-Knuckle Brawlers: Buffalo Bill’s Little Known Business Partner. Author Kellen Cutsforth will give a presentation on his similarly titled book, “Buffalo Bill, Boozers, Brothels, and Bare-Knuckle Brawlers: An Englishman's Journal of Adventure in America”. Cutsforth’s book is a transcribed and edited account of Evelyn Booth’s travel journal, recounting the wealthy young Englishman’s adventures and scandals. 

When: Noon to 1 p.m. on May 2, 2024

Where: Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center in Deadwood

Cost: Free for members and $5 for non-members, available at the event page

Casey Donahew

What: Live music by Casey Donahew. Formerly the frontman of the Casey Donahew Band, the popular Red Dirt singer is now a solo act whose hit singles include “Let’s Make a Love Song” and “Built Different.”

When: 8 p.m. on May 10, 2024

Where: Deadwood Mountain Grand

Cost: Tickets are $29 to $60, available at https://deadwoodmountaingrand.com/event/casey-donahew/

StardustFest 

What: StardustFest’s website says it “brings people together to raise a positive vibration through creativity, music, art, wellness, spirituality, local artisans and so much more”. It will include live concerts, vendors, and energy work. All ages are welcome.

When: 12:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on May 11, 2024

Where: Deadwood Mountain Grand

Cost: Tickets range from $10 to $25, available at https://stardustfest.com/ 

Craft Beer Fest: Hops and Hogs

What: You can’t go wrong with bacon and beer. Enjoy craft beer paired with delicious and unique bacon dishes on May 17-18, 2024, at this scrumptious citywide event. Attendees must be 21 and up. Visit the Deadwood Chamber website for tickets and more details. 

When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on May 17 and noon to 6 p.m. on May 18

Where: Participating locations around Deadwood

Cost: General admission passes are $60, and VIP passes are $110, available at https://www.deadwood.com/event/deadwoods-craft-beer-fest-hops-hogs/. 

Free concert weekend at Outlaw Square

What: Deadwood’s annual free concert weekend at Outlaw Square will feature two evenings of free music on Memorial Day weekend. Two-time Country Music Entertainer of the Year Neal McCoy will perform on May 24, and Big Head Todd and the Monsters will perform on May 25.

When: Concerts start at 8 p.m. on both May 24 and 25, 2024

Where: Outlaw Square

Cost: Free

Black Hills Motorcycle Show

What: The Black Hills Motorcycle Show is a premier event showcases custom-built motorcycles from the region. Attendees can vote for their favorite bike, and the winners will receive cash and prizes. All proceeds from the event are donated to Sacred Mountain Retreat Center for veterans and first responders. There will be live music, vendors, and a chance to meet celebrity builder Cory Ness. It is a family friendly event until 4 p.m. After that the event says it transitions into a “mature audience environment,” which will include a performance by Dirty Sexy Riot. 

When: Noon to 8 p.m.

Where: Deadwood Mountain Grand

Cost: $5 at the door. Free for children 13 and under. To register a motorcycle, visit https://blackhillsmotorcycleshow.com/.

Back When They Bucked: An All-Day Rodeo

What: This PRCA rodeo is returning for the fourth consecutive year, and will include live music and vendors along with breakaway roping and saddle bronc riding. The event is a fundraiser for the Western Legacy Foundation, which awards scholarships and funding for community projects and organizations in the region. 

When: WPRA Ladies’ Breakaway Roping Long Round starts at 10 a.m. SD High School Rodeo Breakaway and Saddle Bronc Match starts at 2 p.m., and the Xtreme Saddle Bronc Match and WPRA Breakaway Roping Short Round start at 3 p.m.

Where: Days of ‘76 rodeo grounds

Cost: Tickets are $15 to $45, available at https://backwhentheybucked.org/. 

Double concert: Saliva & Drowning Pool 

What: Saliva and Drowning Pool, two hard rock bands, will perform on the same night. Saliva’s hits include “Your Disease”, and Drowning Pool is perhaps best known for its single “Bodies”. Above Snakes is the concert’s opening act.

When: 8 p.m. on May 30, 2024

Where: Deadwood Mountain Grand

Cost: Tickets are $25, available at https://deadwoodmountaingrand.com/event/saliva-drowning-pool/ 

For more information on First Gold Gaming Resorts and to make a reservation, call 800-274-1876 or visit www.firstgold.com/.