World’s Top Bull Riders and Annual “Thaw Out Days” Return to Denny Sanford Premier Center

SIOUX FALLS – The toughest athletes and rankest bucking bulls of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders), will return to Sioux Falls April 3-5 as the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center hosts the Unleash The Beast (UTB) First PREMIER Bank PREMIER Bankcard Invitational.

Tickets for the PBR action at one of the most popular stops on the world’s leading bull riding tour start at just $15 and can be purchased at the KELOLAND Box Office or online at pbr.com.

As part of the three-days of nonstop action, the annual “Thaw Out Days” will also return with a full schedule of free, fun, family-friendly and charitable events, live music performances by Black Stone Cherry and Chevel Shepherd and much more.

In 2019, South Dakota fans watched as young gun Mason Taylor rode his way to his first PBR premier series win after being the only cowboy to go 4-for-4 over the long weekend. The 19-year-old 2019 PBR Rookie of the Year contender had the crowd on its feet as he made the 8 aboard M.A.G.A. in the championship round for an 89.25-point ride and the walk-off win. Taylor rocketed from No. 40 in the world standings to No. 8 at a crucial point in the season.

In addition to Taylor, who will be back to defend his event title, fans can cheer on Sioux Falls local Matt Triplett, two-time and reigning World Champion Jess Lockwood, 2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco – three top riders who have all won in Sioux Falls – as well as current world No. 1 Jose Vitor Leme, popular young guns Daylon Swearingen and Colten Jesse, and many more.

“Thaw Out Days” activities surrounding the weekend include:

Thursday, April 2

5:30 p.m. – McCrossan Boys Ranch Annual Banquet & Auction

Join PBR announcer Matt West as he hosts the annual McCrossan Boys Ranch banquet. This year the wildest banquet auction in the Midwest will feature former PBR rider and international fashion model Bonner Bolton sharing his story of determination and recovery after a life-altering injury. While still in a neck brace following a nearly catastrophic bull riding wreck that left him temporarily paralyzed, Bolton was signed by PBR sister company IMG Models and went on to appear on the ABC hit series, “Dancing with the Stars,” as well as becoming the face of a new Tom Ford cologne, L’Ombre. Fans can also meet and greet current stars of the PBR before dinner begins.

Friday, April 3

7:45 p.m. – First PREMIER Bank PREMIER Bankcard Invitational Round 1

All the action for Sioux Falls will begin at 7:45 p.m. CDT when the top bull riders in the world take on the sport’s rankest bulls inside of the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.

During Round 1: In-Arena performance from Black Stone Cherry

Ticketed fans attending Friday night’s Round 1 in Sioux Falls will be treated to a free in-arena performance from Kentucky-based rock n’ roll quartet Black Stone Cherry. After first partnering with PBR in 2019 to bring a new “Be Cowboy” anthem to fans at the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas, Black Stone Cherry rocked the crowd inside of AT&T Stadium at PBR’s Global Cup in early February 2020. Fans who have seen the band grow over their ascent to arenas will have often seen their love for the blues within songs regularly making into the live set.

Saturday, April 4

1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – MBR (Miniature Bull Riders) Major Round 1

The MBR (Miniature Bull Riders), an auxiliary league separate from PBR and owned and managed by former World Champion Chris Shivers and his Lockney, Texas-based partners Lillie and Cirildo Leal, features junior riders ages 8-11 and senior riders ages 12-14 all working to hone their bull riding talents. As the second of four MBR Majors in the 2020 season, the Sioux Falls MBR event is free and open to the public. The MBR Major will feature a full round of young athletes – including national recognized sports pioneer Najiah Knight, who is attempting to become the first girl to make it to the top of the PBR. Fans can also try to ride a mechanical bull for a donation to a local charity.

6:45 p.m. – First PREMIER Bank PREMIER Bankcard Invitational Round 2 & 15/15 Bucking Battle

All the action for night two in Sioux Falls will begin at 6:45 p.m. CDT when the top bull riders in the world take to the dirt inside of the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.

Sunday, April 5

8 a.m. to 10 a.m. – MBR (Miniature Bull Riders) Major Round 2 & Championship Round

The talented youth of the MBR league will return for day two of competition all vying for the event title and points on the line that will ultimately determine who competes at the MBR World Finals in Las Vegas in November to be crowned champion of each respective division. Fans can attend for free and again try their hand at the mechanical bull.

1:45 p.m. – First PREMIER Bank PREMIER Bankcard Invitational Round 3 & Championship Round

All the action for the Championship Sunday in Sioux Falls will begin at 1:45 p.m. CST when the top bull riders in the world take to the dirt inside of the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.

During Round 3 – In-Arena performance from Chevel Shepherd

Ticketed fans attending Championship Sunday will be treated to a free in-arena performance from Season 15 winner of NBC’s “The Voice” Chevel Shepherd, who appears in PBR’s new “Be Cowboy” campaign performing her own rendition of the league’s new anthem. Shepherd’s winning season on the hit vocal competition, coached by Kelly Clarkson, has catapulted her to accomplishing lifelong dreams including recording her own album, touring nationwide, and becoming a popular ambassador for a major professional sport. The 17 year-old superstar’s first new music of 2020, “Mama Got the Chair” and “Everybody’s Got A Story” – penned by Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark – is set for release March 20. Visit ChevelShepherd.com for more information.

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