Heading into the final weekend of the 2010 Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo, we have one question for Rapid City residents: Have you been there yet?

If not, we encourage you to visit the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center this weekend before the stock show ends on Sunday. Where else will you find a petting zoo, a passel of rodeo queens and a world-class roundup of bullriders, bronc busters and steer wrestlers under one roof?

The 10-day Rapid City event is one of the top agricultural expos in the region, and it never fails to live up to its reputation. We don't wear a Stetson, but if we did, we'd tip it to all the event organizers who did their usual high-caliber, professional job: Central States Fair general manager Ron Jeffries, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center general manager Brian Maliske and the entire crew from Sutton Rodeo Company. Jim and Julie Sutton bring five generations of rodeo history to the stock show and, with three generations of the Onida-area family working together today, they promise to carry that rodeo dynasty well into the future.

Congratulations, as well, to Bill and Pennie Slovek of Philip, who celebrated their Stockman of the Year award at the Stockman Banquet and Ball on Wednesday. The couple was recognized as the region's outstanding stock producers for 2010. Fifteen years ago, Hugh Ingalls of Faith won that same award and, this year, he was back to receive the stock show's Hall of Fame Silver Spur Award. Ingalls was honored as a person who exemplifies a commitment to the growth and development of the stock show.

This year, in addition to the usual sweep of livestock sales, sheepdog trials, country singers and westerm art, the stock show added a few new innovations to its line-up. The South Dakota Rodeo Association drew a "phenomenal response" for its debut rodeo performance during the stock show, which was held at the Pennington County Event Center at the county fairgrounds, Jeffries said. Or check out th e sale of 200 bison at the fairgrounds on Sunday morning.

All those things, and much more, were highlighted in the Journal's coverage of the stock show. Even Mother Nature cooperated to make the 2010 stock show a success. Good weather allowed farmers and ranchers to get to Rapid City from across the region for a mid-winter vacation of sorts. Vendors reported big crowds and good sales, despite worries about spending during tough economic times. So, before crews take down the livestock corrals and sweep up the rodeo arena dirt, take the time to check out the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo before it's gone until next year.