South Dakota State Fair

PLAINSMAN 2019 S.D. State Fair — Page 11
Boys of Summer celebrate the history of the Red Wilk Construction Bull Bash
BY LEIGH ANN SCHROEDER
Since 2005, the late August
stop on the Tuff Hedeman
Bull Riding Tour has launched and
funded many professional bull riding
careers. Huron, South Dakota has
been the site of grand comebacks,
tragic and heartbreaking career
endings, and in some years it has
set the pace for the next season, positioning
the bull rider to win a World
title.
In front of a boisterous standing
room only crowd, year after year the
azure blue colored sky seems to
stand still for a breathtaking sunset
as Tuff Hedeman and the boys enter
through the center gate.
There is no doubt that with 14
years of pro bull riding on the record
in Huron, hundreds of thousands of
dollars in cash has been awarded.
Somewhere in the neighborhood of
1,000 times the chute gates have
opened for bucking bulls of the year,
veteran and rookie cowboy athletes
alike.
With a passion for the South
Dakota State Fair, Red Wilk decided
in 2001 to get the ball rolling on
bringing stand-alone bull riding to
the fairgoers. Since 1986, Red Wilk
Construction has been a corporate
partner of the South Dakota State
Fair. In 2001, the Fair discontinued
the PRCA rodeo held annually, and
Red decided to take on the task of
bringing professional level bull riding
to the Grandstands.
“The South Dakota State Fair
means a great deal to Red, and he
and our family are very happy to be
a part of the fair,” said Jenny Wilk.
The Bull Bash has grown over
the years from a few hundred fans
attending to over 5,000 people that
come faithfully on Wednesday and
Thursday night to watch the Tuff
Hedeman Bull Riding Tour.
During the first two years (2001-
2002) it was first produced by a
company in Utah. For the following
15 years, CBR produced the event
with Tuff Hedeman commanding the
chutes for CBR. In 2017 Tuff Hedeman
Bull Riding evolved and took
the reins.
“I knew there was a need for it
and I knew the people would love it,”
said Wilk.
From the first year until 2012 the
annual two-day Red Wilk Construction
Bull Bash consisted of two days,
with two rounds each day. In 2012
the format changed to the threeround
sudden death format on day
two which guarantees bull riders
prize money in each round if they
ride their bull. The riders earn additional
money for each ride, and the
event culminates in a sudden-death
final round of four riders with a winner
take all scenario.
Red Wilk first produced bull riding
at the Fair in 2001, but the traditional
Red Wilk Construction Bull
Bash began its run in 2005 with Tuff
Hedeman in front of the chutes. Wilk
began the centerpiece of the event,
the American Hero Award in 2003.
Being a Vietnam Veteran himself,
he knows the importance of honoring
Veterans for the sacrifices they
have made for their country. Over
the years, Red has honored 100
plus Veterans from South Dakota.
“The sacrifice these men make
for our country is how we are able
to do what we do today, right here in
this very arena, and it is our honor to
stand down and be part of this great
BULL BASH - Page 12