A July 1 groundbreaking of the new Stark County Fairgrounds west of Dickinson may some day put the community's annual Roughrider Days in a central location.

For now, the upcoming western celebration is a moving feast of fun that highlights a variety of locations and venues all over town.

Roughrider Days Fair and Expo has grown from a July Fourth celebration to a 10-day extravaganza of rodeos, a county fair, parade, art roundup, fireworks display, country western concert, and speedway races.

Lori Vernon, a member of the Roughrider committee, said Roughrider Days has become the community's largest event, drawing thousands into town.

"It's a lot of work, but it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling to know it's a good thing for the community. People come to have some fun," she said.

It starts Friday with the rodeo and ends July 5 with the traditional demolition derby.

In between are highlights, including a July 3 Sawyer Brown concert, opening with Chris LeDoux's Western Underground Band at the Dickinson Recreation Center (hockey arena), a July 4 downtown parade and all-day art roundup at the Dickinson State University campus and evening fireworks at the DSU outdoor arena.

Roughrider Days opens with a three-day rodeo at the DSU outdoor arena, with events Friday evening and all day June 27 and 28.

The week after through July 3 belongs to 4-H clubs, which will have static exhibits at the Days Inn and livestock and other animal exhibits at the DSU outdoor arena.

July Fourth is a grand Roughrider day, starting at 7:30 a.m. with a 5K and 10K walk and run leaving from the recreation center.

The parade, with the theme "Red, White and Blue Forever," will start at 10 a.m. July 4 downtown.

Also on July 4, an arts roundup of southwestern North Dakota will be held at the DSU campus from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in conjuction with a family fun day from noon to 4 p.m. at the Jaycee Park.

In the evening, the fun travels out to the speedway 10 miles south on Highway 22 for the speedway's midseason championships and legend cars display.

At dark, it's back to the DSU outdoor area for fireworks at 10 p.m.

On July 5, the Roughrider Days finale, the annual demolition derby, will start at 1 p.m. at the DSU outdoor arena.

For more information, go to www.roughriderdaysfair.com.