Jamestown Chamber seeks events for Buffalo Days weekend schedule

Buffalo Days is taking shape for July 24-26, and the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce is already building the weekend schedule with a direct call for businesses, nonprofits, churches and other community groups to submit their event details now.

The Chamber’s 2026 planning comes as Buffalo Days reclaims its place as one of Jamestown’s signature summer celebrations, a citywide event tied to the community’s “Buffalo City” nickname and its history, pride and fun. North Dakota Tourism describes the weekend as a Jamestown-wide celebration that will include a car show, parade, street dance, pancake breakfast, vendor show and more, with a nod to White Cloud’s legacy.

Several anchor events are already on the calendar. The Buffalo Days parade will be held Saturday, July 25, with lineup at McElroy Park at 8:30 a.m. and the parade beginning at 9:30 a.m. Parade registration is required and limited to the first 75 applicants, putting a premium on early sign-ups for anyone hoping to take part.

The 2026 Buffalo Days vendor show is also listed for July 25 at McElroy Park, and the registration deadline is July 17, 2026. A News Dakota report on April 22 said parade and vendor registration were already open, while Chamber listings say the event typically features a parade, vendor shows, concerts, pancake breakfasts and tournaments.

For Jamestown, the schedule matters because Buffalo Days is more than a single day of festivities. It is a coordinated weekend that depends on local participation to give the event its mix of family activities, community groups and small-business presence. The Chamber has described Buffalo Days as Jamestown’s annual celebration of community pride, history and fun, and that message is reflected in the way the weekend is built, one event at a time.

Emily Bivens, executive director of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, has said the organization enjoys helping put Buffalo Days together. That work begins long before July, with the Chamber serving as a convener for the groups that help fill McElroy Park, downtown and other parts of the city with activity.

With the schedule still being assembled, now is the window for groups that want a place in one of Jamestown’s most visible summer traditions. The stronger the local turnout, the fuller the weekend will feel for residents and visitors alike, and the more clearly Buffalo Days will reflect the city it celebrates.