| HURON, S.D. – The numbers are in, and the 2022 South Dakota State Fair was a huge success! This year’s fair, which ran from September 1 – 5, included two major announcements and offered new experiences, family friendly attractions, six stages of entertainment, thrilling carnival rides, world class livestock shows, agricultural education, and endless shopping opportunities.
Youth Participation and Education
- More than 1,500 exhibitors entered more than 10,000 exhibits in open class livestock and non-livestock competitions.
- The Arts & Education Building hosted 5,800 education exhibits.
- 9,300 4-H display exhibits, livestock exhibits, and youth in action entries.
- 362 FFA exhibitors showcased over 950 entries.
- Over 750 students and teachers participated in South Dakota’s Largest Classroom.
Attendance and Economic Impact
- 192,279 guests passed through the gates and nearly 2,000 campers stayed at fairground’s campsites.
- More than $2.8 million was spent by fairgoers on goods, beverage, specialty concessions, and carnival rides.
- Over $244,000 of tax revenue generated.
Major Announcements
- The South Dakota State Fair Foundation announced the ‘Raise The SHED’ fundraising campaign. The SHED will be the new home for Open Class Sheep at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron and serve as a multi-purpose facility showcasing the South Dakota sheep industry and expanding the versatility of the fairgrounds. For information on the project, go to www.sdstatefairfoundation.com.
- The State Fair unveiled a new South Dakota State Fair logo bringing a fresh look and celebrating the State Fair which, at is heart, is about agriculture and youth events, having fun, and showcasing the best of South Dakota. The new logo can be viewed at www.sdstatefair.com.
New Experiences and Entertainment
- Fans loved First Dakota National Bank’s Football at the Fair, a watch party in the Beer Garden featuring the SDSU Jackrabbit’s 2022 season opener against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
- Art enthusiasts enjoyed ARCY, a street artist from Connecticut, who painted one 8’ X 12’ mural for each day of the fair.
- Josh Turner and Elle King welcomed by Pioneer rocked the grandstand on Saturday, September 3 with their multi-platinum-selling hits!
- Closing out the Grandstand concert series was rowdy and tender Priscilla Block with her signature sound of country pop and southern rock. Billboards Top New Country Artist and 2022 ACM New Female of the Year winner Lainey Wilson added excitement to the line-up and prepared the crowd for an unstoppable presence in modern music, The Band Perry, welcomed by Legend Seeds.
2023 South Dakota State Fair dates will be Thursday, August 31 – Monday, September 4. For more information about the South Dakota State Fair, contact the Fair office at 800-529-0900, visit www.sdstatefair.com or find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. |
