Page 40 Stories of the Heartland • Sunday, September 21, 2025 hometownsource. com / heartland /
Belgrade’ s Smilin’ D Arena saddles up for success
Family dream is bringing community together
BY JOSEPH STANICHAR STORIES OF THE HEARTLAND
Photo provided
All members of the Reigstad family contribute to the success of the Smilin’ D Arena. Pictured are( from left): Brady, Hannah, Lillian, Kolton, Jessica, Weston, David, Alexa, Andrew, Isaac and Grayce Reigstad. Not pictured are Olivia and Tanner Reigstad.
It’ s not a good day to be outside in Belgrade, with lightning, thunder and a torrential downpour of rain flooding down from the heavens. Given the weather, one might imagine that most active activities, such as horseback riding and bike racing would be out of the question.
Not so at the Smilin’ D Arena, which brings the fun of these types of outside activities to a massive indoor venue, where participants and spectators can have fun all year round, regardless of the weather.
This is thanks to the work of Dave and Jessie Reigstad and their four children, as well as their children’ s spouses and children of their own. Envisioned over a decade ago, the Smilin’ D Arena’ s first year has been nothing short of a rousing success.
Although owning and operating an arena was a dream of the Reigstads for a long time, it was only until December 2023 when they were able to purchase the land that would eventually house it. Construction began the following month, in January 2024, with the arena opening to its first event in September 2024.
“ We decided to build the arena just for the kids,” Dave said.“ The whole community has kind of taken that avenue also. So every event, we have something for the kids, some sort of game, some sort of competition for kids. Our Henke showdown, that’ s an all kids event, and we’ ve had great success with that.”
Although Dave at first wanted to have the arena be outside, Jessie had the idea to build a roof on top of the arena and insulate it so that it would be accessible regardless of the weather and time of year. They then added a fireplace and bar, as well as two floors of spectator seating and standing areas in order to create a spectator-friendly environment.
Many members of the Reigstad family contribute to the arena’ s success in different areas. Jessie helps with the website and financial aspects, and coordinates setting up events. Dave and Jessie’ s children and some older grandchildren also assist with staffing and event coordination.
Beyond the Reigstads, a handful of part-time employees also help out around the arena, as well as one full-time employee, Brigitta Irene, who ensures all events are fully coordinated and set up with food and drink vendors for the bar.
“ One of the coolest events that we had was‘ The Greatest Showman’ horse starting challenge,” Dave said.“ We brought in five trainers and five two-yearold horses, trained them in front of the audience and then they had to go through an obstacle course. I’ m an auctioneer, so we auctioned the horses off and sold them right at the end of the night.”
Other events taking place at the arena include rodeos, cutting events, ranch sorting, kids’ competitions and musical performances. They also have had appreciation nights for nurses, police officers and veterans as a way of giving back to their community.
The Reigstads see the arena as a gathering place for families and the wider community to be active and