Saturday, August 24, 2024
AUGUST 28-SEPTEMBER 2 2024
2024 South Dakota State Fair will start a day earlier, increasing admission costs
BY MAKENZIE HUBER South Dakota Searchlight
The South Dakota State Fair will start a day earlier this year, increasing weeklong admission prices because of the additional day.
The fair, held in Huron at the end of August each year, will start on the Wednesday before Labor Day and end on Labor Day. The “necessary and beneficial” extra day will allow for expanded programming and more flexible scheduling, South Dakota State Fairgrounds Manager Peggy Besch told legislators at an April Rules Review Committee meeting at the Capitol in Pierre.
Scheduling within a five-day week has become a “significant challenge,” Besch added.
“Open Class, 4-H and FFA exhibits, which are the backbone of our agricultural heritage, often find themselves squeezed into tight timeslots stretching from early morning well into evening,” Besch said. “This leaves little room for families to immerse themselves in the diverse array of experiences that the state fair has to offer.”
With the approval of the committee, weeklong admission to the fair for adults increased from $40 to $50, and weeklong admission for children
between 6 and 15 years old increased from $20 to $25. Prepaid family value packs, which include four adult passes, increased from $130 to $160. Camper packages also increased by $30 for each package. The daily admission rate will not increase.
Besch said a one-day addition was “strongly endorsed” at a meeting during the 2023 state fair.
“The proposal to shift the official start day of the fair to Wednesday is not merely a logistical adjustment, but a strategic move to enhance the vitality and inclusivity of this cherished tradition,” Besch said.
There were no opponents to the additional day or the increase in admission costs.
A 2023 increase in daily admission costs was meant to support the increasing cost of running the fair, which sits on 190 acres and has more than 100 buildings. The committee rejected a proposed rule in 2022 to increase admission and camping fees, which were meant to offset rising costs.
Attendance at last year’s state fair was 178,246.
— This article first appeared on southdakotasearchlight.com.
Mitchell Republic file photo Scenes from the South Dakota State Fair in Huron.
Plenty of entertainment at this year's state fair grandstand
Bull Bash starts the fun
The Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash kicks off the 2024 South Dakota State Fair grandstand lineup with two nights of high energy fun on Wednesday, August 28, and Thursday, August 29.
Hedeman, known for lining up elite riders to face off with world-class bucking bulls brings his annual professional, fast-paced, bull riding competition back to the South Dakota State Fair, featuring pro bull riders and bullfighters matched to animals of superior strength and fiery spirit.
The bull riding action begins with Tuff Hedeman “Bounty Bull” night on Wednesday with $10,000 up for grabs, and continues Thursday night in a tournament style event and “Shoot Out” round where the bulk of the prize money, championship title, and custom prizes are earned.
The Red Wilk Construction American Hero Award will be held during both nights of bull riding. Typically, eight Veterans are honored each night, and since 2013, more than 100 Veterans from all over South Dakota have been honored. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth. Action begins at 8 p.m.
Goo Goo
Dolls,
8 p.m. Aug. 30
Formed by Rzeznik and Takac in Buffalo, N.Y. during 1986, Goo Goo Dolls have quietly broken records, contributed a string of staples to the American songbook, connected to millions of fans, and indelibly impacted popular music for three-plus decades. Beyond selling 15 million records worldwide, the group has garnered four Grammy Award nominations and nearly a dozen platinum and gold singles combined, and seized a page in the history books by achieving 16 number one and Top 10 hits. As a result, they hold the all-time radio record for “Most Top 10 Singles.”
Thus far, A Boy Named Goo [1995] has gone double-platinum, Dizzy Up The Girl five-times-platinum, and Gutterflower [2002] and Let Love In [2006] both went gold as Something for the Rest of Us [2010] and Magnetic [2013] bowed in the Top 10 of the Billboard Top 200. Their music continues to reach new audiences around the world and rack up platinum & gold statuses – including the recently platinum-certified “Slide”, “Black Balloon” and “Better Days” – and has been covered by everyone from Taylor Swift to Phoebe Bridgers and Maggie Rogers. Among a string of hits, “Iris” clutched #1 on the Hot 100 for 18 straight weeks and would be named “#1 Top 40 Song of the Last 20 Years.” The track recently
achieved seven-times-platinum status and re-entered the Billboard charts, yet again proving the timelessness of Goo Goo Dolls’ illustrious catalog.
Tickets are $75 for standing admission, $60 for grandstand reserved seating and $50 for grandstand general admission. Kory and the Fireflies will open.
Riley Green, 8 p.m. Aug. 31
Riley Green has been compelling Country music fans to raise a drink, shed a tear, and, above all, celebrate where they are from, since first releasing his self-titled EP in 2018. His songs like the No. 1 PLATINUM hit “There Was This Girl,” the 2X-PLATINUM-certified heart-tugger “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” and his charttopping collab with Thomas Rhett, “Half of Me,” have made Riley synonymous with what Country music does best: making listeners feel something with his no-gimmick, relatable writing and classic feel.
An avid sports fan, former athlete (Jacksonville State University quarterback) and outdoorsman, Riley is riding a wave of success after being named the Academy of Country Music’s 2020 New Male Artist of the Year, a former MusicRow Breakout Artist of the Year, a CMT “Listen Up Artist,” and one of CRS’s 2020 New Faces. Green recently headlined the Rock the South Festival and is selling out his own headlining shows. Luke Combs, joins Riley on his current Top 30-and-climbing single “Different ‘Round Here (Ft. Luke Combs),” the title track to Riley’s 2019 debut album that he re-recorded with Combs after seeing how fans connected to it. His new album Ain’t My Last Rodeo, produced by Dann Huff, is more of the signature
South Dakota State Fair announces Trash to Treasure contest
HURON, S.D – The South Dakota State Fair is excited to invite people to share their creative talents by decorating trash cans at the South Dakota State Fair. Through Aug. 9, participants can pick up trash cans from the South Dakota State Fair office to paint with fair related, 4-H, FFA, or agriculture themes. First, second, and third place will be awarded with cash prizes.
“This is a fun way to brighten up the fairgrounds and keep our trash cans looking great, said State Fair Manager Peggy Besch. “We want people to have fun with it and are looking forward to seeing what participants come up with.”
The trash cans will be judged at the South Dakota State Fair on August 30, based on visual appeal and creativity. The first-place winner will receive $100, second place will receive $50, and third place will receive $25.
Entries can be made as a group or individually. All entries must be entirely paint based. No paper or 3D art will be allowed. The trash cans must be returned to the South Dakota State Fair by Aug. 16.
Official rules and the registration form can be found on the state fair website.
-- From SD State Fair
Riley Green fans have come to know and love from the good ol’ boy who still lives in his hometown of Jacksonville, AL. Tickets are $80 standing, $65 for grandstand reserved and $55 for general admission grandstand. Opening is John Morgan.
Trace Adkins, 8 p.m. Sept. 1
In his 25-year career in Country music, Trace Adkins has sold over 11 million albums, charted over 20 singles, earned numerous awards and Grammy nominations, and garnered over two billions streams. A Grand Ole Opry member for nearly two decades, the Louisiana native is known for dynamic baritone and fiery, always-memorable live performances, and has expanded his Country career to include film and TV acting.
He broke out in 1996 with the debut album, Dreamin’ Out Loud, cracking the Top 5 of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with “Every Light In the House Is On” and following with the #1smash, “This Ain’t(No Thinkin’ Thing.” Since then, Adkins has pioneered a mix of classic country minded traditionalism and adventurous, good-natured showmanship, breaking open new avenues in modern country through fun-filled hits like “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” and “Hillbilly Bone” (with BlakeShelton).
He celebrated the silver anniversary of his album debut in 2021 with The Way I Wanna Go, doing exactly what he always has–mixing pure-Country reverence with standout collaborations featuring Blake Shelton, Melissa Etheridge, Snoop Dogg, Stevie Wonder on harmonica and more. Adkins’ newest video “Love Walks Through the Rain” (featuring
Melissa Etheridge) is available everywhere now.
Tickets are $65 for standing, $50 for grandstand reserved and $40 for grandstand general admission. Opening is Tyler Halverson.
Red - A Taylor Swift Tribute, 1 p.m. Sept. 2
“Red – A Taylor Swift Tribute” is a jaw dropping, faithful recreation of a live Taylor Swift concert. RED is fronted by Lauren Corzine, an amazingly talented and stunningly beautiful young vocalist and performer. Throughout her career as a singer/songwriter, Lauren was told that she looks and sounds just like Taylor Swift.
Lauren decided to embrace her striking resemblance to the pop icon and founded RED. The result has been explosive. Taylor Swift fans flock to RED shows to see an authentic recreation of a live Taylor Swift show. Lauren’s on-stage appearance and show leaves “Swifties” feeling like they are watching Taylor Swift herself live in concert.
RED is a four-piece national touring act complete with backup dancers. At a RED show, fans are treated to an epic journey through Taylor Swift’s entire discography. The crowd sings along as RED performs songs ranging from Taylor’s self-titled debut album Taylor Swift all the way through her most recent releases.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for youth.
-- From SD State Fair
(Image courtesy South Dakota State Fair) Trace Adkins publicity photo.
8:00
2024 SD STATE FAIR SCHEDULE
followed by Yorkshire followed by Spotted Swine followed by Chester White followed by Hampshire followed by Poland China followed by Hereford followed by Berkshire followed by Crossbred Shows OC Swine Complex
9 AM – 10 PM Noah’s Way Exotic Petting Zoo and Pony Rides MIP Building 9 AM – 8 PM 4-H Exhibits Open to the Public Nordby Exhibit Hall
9 AM – 8 PM All SD State Fair Exhibit Buildings Open 9 AM – 8 PM FFA Ag Adventure Center Open 9 AM - 8 PM SD State Historical Society/Press: Military History Arts & Education Building
9 AM - 6 PM Reel in Memories Scavenger Hunt GFP Area
9 AM - 5 PM Dakotaland Museum Open
9 AM - 5 PM American Revolutionary Experience Younger Hall
9 AM - 4 PM Hands-On Education Activities Nordby Exhibit Hall
9 AM – 3:30 PM Value Added Ag Center Day Activities Day Sponsor Area
9:00
2:00
2024 SD STATE FAIR SCHEDULE
9 AM – 8 PM FFA Ag Adventure Center Open 9 AM - 8 PM SD State Historical Society/ Press: Children’s Books Arts & Education Building
9 AM - 5 PM Dakotaland Museum Open
9 AM - 5 PM American Revolutionary Experience Younger Hall
9 AM - 4 PM Student Collaboration for the Advancement and Promotion of Pharmacy (SCAPP) Health Screenings Day Sponsor Tent
9 AM - 4 PM Hands-On Education Activities Nordby Exhibit Hall
9 AM - 11:30 AM 4-H Poultry Skill-A-Thon Contest 4-H Rabbit/Poultry Tent
9:00 AM Brown Swiss followed by Holstein followed by Guernsey OC Dairy Barn
9:00 AM Pigeons Show Poultry/Rabbit Barn
9:30 AM Antique Tractor Demonstration West of Farm Bureau Dakotaland Stage
9:45 AM National Anthem
10 AM - 4 PM Louise Van Poll, Guest Author Arts & Education Building 10 AM - 4 PM Jennifer Littlefield, Guest Author Arts & Education Building
10:00 AM Mural of Infinite Variety Community Art
10:00 AM Bottle Calf Feeding FFA Ag Adventure
8
Arena
8:00 AM Bantam Chickens Show Poultry/ Rabbit Barn
8:30 AM - 4 PM 4-H Special Foods Contest (option 2/3) Nordby Exhibit Hall - Kitchen
8:30 AM 4-H Wether Dam & Market Meat Goat Showmanship followed by Wether Dam Breeding Meat Goat Show followed by Market Meat Goat Show 4-H Livestock Complex
8:30 AM 4-H Dairy Goat Show followed by Dairy Goat Showmanship 4-H Livestock Complex
9 AM – 10 PM Noah’s Way Exotic Petting Zoo and Pony Rides MIP Building
9 AM – 8 PM 4-H Exhibits Open to the Public Nordby Exhibit Hall
9 AM – 8 PM All SD State Fair Exhibit Buildings
10:00 AM Salad Popeye Approved - Pam Linton
Hall Kitchen 10:00 AM Take Your Garden to the Next Level Horticulture Building 10:00 AM Robotics Showcase; Group #2 Nordby Exhibit Hall
10:00 AM Genie Break: Enhancing Research w/ Newspapers Arts & Education Building
10:30 AM Team Roping North Arena
10:30 AM Wildlife Adventure Center presents Reptile and Wildlife Show North of Centennial Stage 10:45 AM John and Janene Grosz, Rockin’
Linton and the Cotton Kings: Songs from “Sunday Drives with Mom and Dad” Centennial Stage
11:30 AM - 4 PM 4-H Horticulture Skill-a-thon Contest Nordby Exhibit Hall
11:30 AM Robot Ranger Strolling
12 PM – 12 AM GoldStar Amusements Carnival Carnival Midway 12 PM - 7 PM DAV Bingo DAV Veterans Building 12:00
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2024 SD STATE FAIR SCHEDULE
Hills Country Star Centennial Stage
4 PM - 6 PM Rabbit Skill-A-Thon 4-H Rabbit/ Poultry Tent
4:00 PM Sherwin & Pam Linton and the Cotton Kings w/ special guest Eden Judith: Tribute to Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, and the music of the Carter Family Centennial Stage
4:00 PM Farm Safety ATV Simulator Demo hosted by SD Farmers Union North of Dakotaland Museum
4:00 PM PaperPie Books Coloring Contest Awards Arts & Education Building
4:00 PM Mad Chad Taylor, The Chain Saw Juggler North of Nordby Exhibit Hall
4:30 PM Funk-UH-Fried NorthWestern Energy Freedom Stage
5:00 PM The 1270s DeSmet Farm Mutual Insurance Tent
5:00 PM Puppet Place Puppet Magic Show Independent Midway
5:00 PM FFA Rabbit Showmanship Poultry/ Rabbit Barn
5:00 PM Kids Stick Horse Competition Hippodrome
5:00 PM SD State Fair Karaoke Rendezvous Midway Roadhouse
5:00 PM Antique Tractor Demonstration West of Farm Bureau Dakotaland Stage
5:30 PM FFA Rabbit Show Poultry/Rabbit Barn
12 PM - 7 PM DAV Bingo DAV Veterans Building
12:00
6:00 PM Mad Chad Taylor, The Chain Saw Juggler NorthWestern Energy Freedom Stage
6:00 PM Wildlife Adventure Center presents Reptile and Wildlife Show North of Centennial Stage appx 6 PM U-Fit-It Contest DEX, Agtegra & Butler Machinery Arena
6:00 PM Bottle Calf Feeding FFA Ag Adventure Center
6:00
4:00
2024 SD STATE FAIR SCHEDULE
4:00 PM Sherwin & Pam Linton and the Cotton Kings: Tribute to Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, and the music of the Carter Family w/ special guest Lizzy Hofer, South Dakota Country Star Centennial Stage 4:00 PM Farm Safety ATV Simulator Demo hosted by SD Farmers Union North of Dakotaland Museum
4:00 PM Rodney Yost Horsemanship Demonstration Hippodrome
4:30 PM 4-H Recognition Event and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Nordby Exhibit Hall - Stage appx 5 PM - 7 PM SD Show Lamb Boosters (follows 4-H Market Sheep Show) 4-H Livestock Complex
5:00 PM FFA Dairy Goat Show 4-H Livestock Complex - North Ring
5:00 PM Janene and the Machine DeSmet Farm Mutual Insurance Tent
5:00 PM The Barn Flies Midway Roadhouse
5:00 PM Puppet Place Puppet Magic Show Independent Midway
5:00 PM Antique Tractor Demonstration West of Farm Bureau Dakotaland Stage
5:00 PM Dreamweaver Comedy Hypnosis Show NorthWestern Energy Freedom Stage appx 6 PM Beef Booster Awards, SDJPS Awards Ceremony, Beef Breed Pizza Supper, Team Fitting Contest DEX, Agtegra & Butler Machinery Arena
6:00 PM Mad Chad Taylor, The Chain Saw Juggler NorthWestern Energy Freedom Stage
6:00 PM Wildlife Adventure Center presents Reptile and Wildlife Show North of Centennial Stage
6:00 PM South Dakota Country Music Gospel Show Farm Bureau Dakotaland Stage
6:00 PM 4-H Performing Arts Troupe Show (Show 4/5) Nordby Exhibit Hall - Stage
6:00 PM Bottle Calf Feeding FFA Ag Adventure Center
6:00 PM Puppet Place Puppet Magic Show
6:00 PM Robot Ranger Strolling 7:00 PM Ivory NorthWestern Energy Freedom Stage 8:00 PM Trace Adkins with Tyler Halverson welcomed by Legend Seeds Grandstand 10:00 PM Lizzy Hofer Band Midway Roadhouse 10:30 PM Johnny Holm Band Beer Garden
Monday, September 2
Peaceful Pines Senior Living Grand Family Adventure Day
7 AM - 11 AM: Bring a canned food item to any gate and receive $2 OFF DAILY GATE ADMISSION (one food item per admission) Pay it Forward: Businesses have sponsored gate admission passes for those in need and to randomly hand out at the gate admission entrances! You could be the lucky recipient of a ‘Pay it Forward’ pass as you enter the gates on Monday!
7:30 AM FFA Swine Show OC Swine Complex
8 AM - 12 PM 4-H Information Center Open Nordby Exhibit Hall
AM 4-H Rabbit Show 4-H Rabbit/Poultry Tent
AM 4-H Breeding Sheep Showmanship followed by Breeding Sheep Show 4-H Livestock Complex
