The South Dakota State Fair has grown so popular among livestock producers of all ages that it’s expanding this year from 5 days to 6.
The longer schedule was one of several changes proposed by the fair to better serve patrons that were approved earlier this month by the South Dakota Legislature’s Interim Rules Committee, a panel of 6 lawmakers.
State Fairgrounds Division Director Peggy Besch of the Dept of Agriculture and Natural Resources says the primary reason for adding a day is “the pressing issue of accommodating all livestock shows within the limited timeframe of the fair.”
Besch says “Open class, 4H, and FFA exhibits are the backbone of our agriculture heritage, (but) often find themselves squeezed into tight time slots, stretching from early morning well into the evening.”
She adds that the additional day provides “much needed breathing room and space for livestock show scheduling, alleviating the strain on exhibitors and organizers alike” while ensuring the “active engagement of most livestock producers and vendors.
The extra day also creates new opportunities for additional programs to be added to the state fair
The additional day means the South Dakota State Fair will now begin the Wednesday before Labor Day and end on Labor Day.
It will also cost a little more for admission and parking packages covering the entire fair with passbooks going up $10 and fair week parking by $5..