Fantastic Jesse James Days Celebration in Garretson

What is the Jesse James connection to Garretson, South Dakota?

While the details of outlaw Jesse James' relationship with Garretson's Devil's Gulch remain somewhat clouded, the story lives on in the small town's folklore.

As the story goes, Jesse James and his brother Frank were being chased by a Luverne, Minnesota posse after a botched bank robbery and gunfight in Northfield, Minnesota.

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Both James brothers were reportedly wounded in the gun battle and still managed to stay ahead of the posse that was after them. That is until, as legend would have it, they came to Devil's Gulch near Garretson.

It is there that Jesse supposedly made an 18-foot jump with his horse over the gulch and rode off into Western and South Dakota history.

Whether the legend is true or not is only truly known to the long-gone participants, but what we do know is that every year, Garretson puts on a rip-roaring event to celebrate the story.

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Is this a family-friendly event?

Jesse James Days in Garretson has something for everyone over the three-day celebration, Friday, June 13, through Sunday, June 15.

Every day throughout the celebration, there are self-guided tours at Devil's Gulch. Maps are available at the Visitor's Center. There is a family-fun nature scavenger hunt with forms available at the Jesse James Country Store.

For art lovers, check out the local artist showcase at Palisade Art Gallery. For outdoor lovers, there are kayak rentals, and for wine connoisseurs, there is wine tasting at Humble  Hill Winery (3/4 mile north of Garretson on Highway 11).

Model train aficionados can take in the model train exhibits at the Garretson School on Friday evening from 6 to 9 PM. There is a car, antique tractor, and motorcycle show at the Garretson School east parking lot, also from 6 to 9 PM. And don't forget the Cornhole Tournament at 6:30 and the Kayak Glow event in Splitrock Park beginning at dusk.

On Saturday, there is a pancake feed at the Fire Department from 7:30 to 9:30 AM, the Jesse James road race begins at 9 AM, the vendor fair is happening in the Legion building from 9 AM to 1 PM, and the big parade will begin at 11 AM.

There will also be a petting zoo, inflatables at the ball field, a wild west show, and a free street dance for all ages from 5 to 7 PM, and another street dance for 18+ from 8 to Midnight (wristbands are $15).

Sunday, Jesse James Days continue with Father's Day fishing at 10 AM and the big Father's Day Fishing Derby wraps things up from 1 to 3 PM.

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There is a lot more going on, and you can get complete details on this big celebration online at Visit Garretson/Jesse James Days and also on Facebook.