Sodbuster Days

Step back in time and experience life on the prairie during Sodbuster Days, Fort Ransom State Park's celebration of North Dakota's homesteading heritage.

Hosted by the Fort Ransom Sodbuster Association, this family-friendly event brings the early 1900s to life with authentic demonstrations, historic buildings, antique machinery, horse-powered farming, blacksmithing, traditional cooking, music, and more.

Explore the grounds, visit the log cabin, schoolhouse, cook car, summer kitchen, and blacksmith shops, watch skilled craftspeople at work, and enjoy homemade treats including ice cream, pies, lefse, and rommegrot. Whether you're watching a threshing demonstration or learning about pioneer life, there's something for all ages.

Event Hours

• Saturday, July 11: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday, July 12: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

7-9 a.m. – Breakfast available for purchase (Sodbuster Building)
9 a.m. – Teamster meeting
9 a.m. (Sunday only) – Church
9:15 a.m. – Clean barn
9:30 a.m. – People movers begin operating
9:45 a.m. – Flag raising and gates open
10 a.m. – Homemaking demonstrations begin
10 a.m. (Saturday only) – Horse obstacle course
10-11:45 a.m. – Sawmill demonstration
10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Food available for purchase (Sodbuster Building)
11 a.m. – Corn sheller
11:30 a.m. – Rake hay
11:45 a.m. – Wheelwright demonstration
1 p.m. – Horsepower threshing
1:30 p.m. – Hay loading (onto hay rack)
2 p.m. – Hay demonstration (into barn)
2-4 p.m. – Sawmill demonstration
2:30 p.m. – Stationary baler
2:45 p.m. (Saturday only) – Auction
3 p.m. – Corn grinder
4 p.m. (Sunday only) – Clean barn
6:30 p.m. – Member meeting (supper to follow)