Dakotas and Nebraska Roundup 2026 Welcomes Montana and Wyoming
Mark your calendars now for the 22nd Annual Dakotas and Nebraska Roundup on Saturday, March 7, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on the SunBird patio! SunBird residents who have lived in the Dakotas, Nebraska, Montana, or Wyoming are invited to attend and bring their friends. Tickets cost $5 each, plus bring a salad or dessert for eight to share.
The potluck-on-the-patio fun will begin with a social hour at 4 p.m. (BYOB). Water, ice, and dinnerware will be provided. There will be music with Tito and Taco to enjoy! The potluck supper will begin around 4:30 p.m. Pulled pork sandwiches will be provided for the main meal. Attendees are asked to bring either a dessert or salad (enough to serve eight) to the potluck. There will be a 50/50 raffle, door prizes, and a few silent auction items of Nebraska memorabilia, which were donated by Warren Phillips.
Tickets will be sold at the clubhouse from 8 a.m. to noon at the Kare Bear Fairs on Feb. 7 and March 7. You can also contact any of the committee members listed below to get tickets.
Would you be willing to assist the committee? We would love to have another representative from South Dakota or Nebraska or from Montana or Wyoming!
For more information on the event or to purchase tickets to attend the party, please contact:
Rae Ann Vandrovec at 701-269-4972 (N.D.)
Deb Jensen at 308-325-2965 (Neb.)
June Haller at 701-260-1324 (N.D.)
Dolores Kline at 480-466-2113 (N.D.)
Karen Snowden-Jones at 206-300-3432 (N.D.)
Patty Curry at 605-661-2860 (S.D.)
Dakotas ‘Round Up’ Party March 12
Steve Perkins
It’s time to get registered for the fun-filled Dakota Party. North Dakotans and South Dakotans and friends from Sun Lakes, SunBird, and surrounding areas are all invited to the annual Dakota Party held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, in the Sun Lakes Cottonwood Country Club San Tan Ballroom. Make sure you put it on your calendar. It’s a 40-plus-year tradition!
Act now, as we must have your registration in and paid for ($25 per person) by March 4. Our count and guarantee must be made on the morning of March 5, so please register and pay now. Thank you!
We are having a nice response, with many new people inquiring. It seems like after the past few years, our governors really put our states on the map. We now even have some “wannabe” Dakotans requesting to sign up. It’s a great party and lots of fun, so don’t miss it.
Also, we again have our longtime sponsor Western State Bank (here in Chandler and back home in North Dakota). As a result, we are holding the price at $25 per person, the same as 2025. We will still have drawings for prizes and gift cards. You really don’t want to miss the party. Grandpa says it’s better than going to the casino.
If you are not getting our emails, then you need to get on our Dakotas Party list. If you aren’t on the list, well, golly, you just ain’t really from Dakota. You get on the list by emailing (preferred) or calling us at the contact information below. Everyone on the list from last year continues. We have already emailed out the registration forms with all the details. Remember, you have to be prepaid and registered by March 4, before the party. There are no “walk-in” registrations at the door.
The 2026 party will again be indoors at the Sun Lakes Cottonwood Country Club San Tan Ballroom. It is still a casual event, much like our previous outside patio party. No excuses for wimps who think it might be too cold or rainy. Everyone will receive a registration gift.
First, make sure you are on our annual party list so we can keep you up to date about our annual parties. Second, get registered now. Third, let everyone know. To save money, we are only doing email mailings, so please tell all your Dakota friends about the party. We need your help! Please don’t assume everyone knows about it. Spread the word faster than Grandma’s country party line phone.
The cost is $25 per person for the buffet dinner, and there will be a cash bar. The event will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12. Advance tickets only!
For more information, to get on our list, and/or to make reservations, contact SunLakesDakotaParty@gmail.com or call Ilene Ouradnik at 701-793-4412.
Tri-State Fair
It’s Fair time! The Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota Tri-State Fair will be held on Tuesday, March 10, from 4 to 8:30 p.m.
Come join us for Wheel of Fortune and hear the one and only Rusty Parts! Brush up on your 4-H! There will be a 50/50 raffle, lots of prizes, and great food! There will be pulled pork, loaded tots, coleslaw, pickles, cream puffs, and cookies! Bring your own bottle! Watch for ticket sales dates!
Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana Party
Save the date of Saturday, March 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. on the patio for the Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana Party. Tickets are $15 per person. Dinner will be catered by the Horizon Room. Bring your own beverage.
If you would like to help with this event, please text or call Fern at 248-252-5002 or Carol at 734-674-0093.