What the South Dakota State Fair Is
The South Dakota State Fair in Huron is the state's showcase for livestock, 4-H projects, open class exhibits, rodeo, carnival rides and Grandstand concerts. The 2026 fair ran Wednesday, September 2 through Monday, September 7, and each day carries a sponsor theme: Channel Seed Opening Day on September 2, Value Added Ag Center Day on September 3, Olympic Motors Day on September 4, SD Farmers Union Day on September 5, SD Soybean Day on September 6 and Red, White, and You Day on September 7.
What Is On: Highlights of the 2026 Fair
| Area | What happens |
|---|---|
| Rodeo | Ranch Rodeo, Sunday, September 6 at 11 a.m. in the Hippodrome; South Dakota Timed Event Championship Rodeo, September 5 and 6 at 10 a.m. in the North Arena |
| Grandstand | Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash September 2 and 3 at 8 p.m.; The Fray with X Ambassadors September 4 at 7:30 p.m.; Nate Smith with McCoy Moore September 5 at 8 p.m.; Jake Owen with Walker Montgomery September 6 at 8 p.m.; Thunder at the Fair Truck and Tractor Pull September 7 at 1 p.m. |
| 4-H | 4-H Information Center and exhibits in Nordby Exhibit Hall; skill-a-thons, STEM Challenge team judging, Special Foods Contest, 4-H Showcase on Monday |
| Farm programs | Farmer's Share Luncheon and Farm Bill panel on September 5; Farm Safety FFA Quiz Bowl Championship at 2 p.m. September 5; Soybean Day sessions on September 6 |
| Carnival | Opens Wednesday 3 to 10 p.m. with all rides $2; later days run from noon or 10 a.m. into the night |
Admission and What It Costs
| Ticket | Advance (through Sept. 2) | Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Daily adult | $8 | $10 |
| Daily youth (ages 6 to 15) | $4 | $5 |
| Daily family pass (2 adults, 4 youth) | - | $35 |
| Weekly adult | - | $50 |
| Weekly youth | - | $25 |
- Gate admission is free after 8 p.m. all week and after 3 p.m. on Monday, September 7.
- Veterans and active military enter free on Thursday, September 3.
- 4-H members with a 4-H card enter free on Thursday, September 3; cards are available from county offices.
- Friday, September 4: $2 off with a coupon from Olympic Motors on E Hwy 14.
- Monday, September 7, 7 to 11 a.m.: $2 off with a food item for the Stock the Shelves drive.
- Weekly Passport to Fun carnival pass: $60 in advance at Olympic Motors in Huron through September 2, or $70 on the grounds. A $3 weekday wristband coupon is available from Taco John's in Huron.
Key Dates
- September 2 to 7, 2026: the most recent fair.
- September 1 to 6, 2027: dates shown for the next fair on the fair's site.
- Entry deadlines for exhibitors are set in each department's exhibitor book, posted at sdstatefair.com.
Where and How to Get There
South Dakota State Fairgrounds, 1060 3rd St. SW, Huron, SD 57350. A Park and Ride shuttle ran Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11:15 p.m., every 30 minutes, from the Advanced Sunflower lot at Huron Mall to Gate 3.
Questions
Is there a day for veterans or 4-H families?
Yes. Thursday, September 3 was free admission for veterans and active military and for 4-H members with a 4-H card.
When are the cheapest hours?
After 8 p.m. any night, and after 3 p.m. on the final Monday, the gate is free.
Are exhibitor rules posted?
Yes. The fair publishes 2026 exhibitor books for horses, beef, swine, sheep, rabbits, horticulture and Horizons Hall at sdstatefair.com.
Who do I call?
Fair Office: 605-353-7340 or toll-free 800-529-0900. Ticket Office: 866-605-FAIR or 605-353-6690.
Official Links
- State Fair schedule of events
- 2026 State Fair event guide (PDF)
- 2026 horse exhibitor and participant book
- sdstatefair.com
Major South Dakota Stock Shows and Rodeos: The Essentials
South Dakota's three marquee events are the State Fair in Huron, the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo in Rapid City, and the Days of '76 Rodeo in Deadwood.
State Fair
Held in Huron over Labor Day weekend: September 2-7 in 2026 and September 1-6 listed for 2027. 4-H and FFA members show beef, sheep, swine, goats, dairy, rabbits and poultry. 4-H deadlines are firm: enrollment May 31, ID and DNA June 1, YLL July 1, FairEntry August 1.
Black Hills Stock Show
Established in 1959 in Rapid City, listed for January 29 to February 6, 2027, with about 120 livestock, horse and rodeo events. Youth Day on February 6, 2027 offers judging, Skillathon, Hippology and a Beef Cook-Off.
Days of '76
A PRCA rodeo in Deadwood in late July, with free parades on Main Street Friday and Saturday.
Read the full guide: Major South Dakota Stock Shows and Rodeos
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention
Held each year; the most recent dates were Dec. 10-11, 2025, the 110th convention. Family farmers and ranchers gather in Huron for policy sessions that guide the organization.
Huron, SD | Organizer: South Dakota Farmers Union Official event details - South Dakota 4-H State Horse Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 13-15, 2026. Youth compete in showmanship, equitation, reining, barrel racing and pole bending, plus hippology and horse judging contests.
- Beadle County 4-H Achievement Days
Huron hosted Beadle County 4-H Achievement Days July 27-29, 2026, where clubs such as the Wolsey Cardinal Clovers earned awards for project and livestock exhibits.
Huron, SD | Organizer: SDSU Extension Beadle County 4-H Official event details - South Dakota State Fair FFA Livestock Shows
Held each year; the most recent dates were Sept. 5-7, 2026. FFA members exhibit breeding and market sheep, meat goats, rabbits, swine, dairy cattle and dairy goats in the State Fair barns at Huron.
- Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash at the South Dakota State Fair
Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 2, 2026, at 8 PM on opening day of the State Fair. A bull riding event named for the rodeo champion Tuff Hedeman.
All South Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.