Butte-Lawrence County Fair

The sounds of “mews,” “baas,” and “moos” can be heard each year in Nisland as the annual Butte-Lawrence County Fair commences at the historic fairgrounds.

The fair dates back to the early 1920s. At a meeting held in Nisland on April 5, 1920, a county agriculture fair was proposed. In September 1920, Butte County purchased 40 acres of land along the Belle Fourche River from Albert M. Willard and Roy F. McNeil, to use as the Butte County Fairgrounds. County commissioners appropriated $7,500 for improvements of the fairgrounds in preparation to hold the fair in 1921. In August of 1921, Earl Wilson was given a contract for constructing buildings, moved onto the fairgrounds, and started pouring concrete foundations.

Thus, the Butte County Fair was born. The first official fair was held in Nisland Sept. 27-29, 1921. The 50th Butte County Fair was held in 1977, but the Golden Jubilee was not celebrated until 1978. A year later, Lawrence County joined forces with Butte County and hosted its first combined fair.

Today, more than 40 years later, the agricultural fair is still a major draw for thousands of local residents and visitors alike.

Youth members of 4-H spend the whole year preparing their agricultural exhibits and livestock. Numerous animals file in including beef, sheep, swine, rabbits, goats, bunnies, and chickens for competitive judging. Several buildings on the grounds house 4-H exhibits, as well as the livestock.

The Nisland Fairgrounds lie along the Belle Fourche River and include the historic grandstand — which is no longer in use — and the groundskeeper’s house. The Pavilion, built in 1921, is the site of Open Class Exhibits including flowers, quilts, canned goods, and photography.

There’s something for everyone at the fair.

Visitors can watch contestants pit their manpower against a machine in the tractor pull, or they can catch the Youth Rodeo with family-friendly events like barrel racing, goat tail untying, dummy roping, pole bending, and breakaway roping. Live musical guests and the Belle Fourche Cowboy Band provide entertainment throughout the fair, and a community barbecue is held every year. Other events at the fair include the Beef Showmanship, small animal and pet judging, sheep dog trials, livestock sale, and dance. The fair has many activities for the little ones, including contests such as “Catch a Sheep,” “Bum Lamb Dress-Up,” “Dress a Rabbit,” and the “Bucket Calf Show,” and many other activities like the talent show, baby contest, and fashion review. For those wishing to camp overnight at the fairgrounds, board members request people call and secure a camping permit prior to the event. There are parking spaces with electricity and tent sites available.

Michelle May, the 4-H/youth-program advisor, said their numbers have been climbing steadily.

“Overall, the turnout (in 2022) was wonderful. It was hot, but we still had really steady numbers,” said May. “Specifically we see our numbers increasing for our greased pig wrestling contest, the community barbeque, and the livestock sale.”

The Butte and Lawrence County Fair Board also has plans for renovating the horse arena this year. The improvements include updating the roping boxes, lead-up pens, and return alleys and chutes.

May said the group wants to get the community involved in the annual event even more than before.

“Let’s bring the community together,” she said.

“This is the place where people will come together for a variety of worthwhile reasons, including entertainment and fun, and leave imprinted with a memory of legacy, tradition, joy, and success.”

The 2023 event is slated for July 31 through Aug. 5. To obtain a pass or for more information, call the fair board office at (605) 2572370 or visit buttesd.org/buttelawrence-county-fair