What the Turner County Fair Is
The Turner County Fair in Parker is billed as South Dakota's oldest running county fair and calls itself "The Four Best Days of Summer." It combines 4-H and Open Class exhibits, livestock shows, a pie contest, a carnival, free music in Heritage Park and four nights of grandstand action. The gate is free; grandstand tickets are sold separately. A 30-member volunteer board runs the fair with more than 200 volunteers during fair week. The 2026 fair ran August 17 to 20, and the 2027 fair is set for August 16 to 19.
Weekly Schedule (2026 Edition)
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Sat., Aug. 15 | Open Class exhibit check-in and tag pickup, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Sun., Aug. 16 | Early 4-H livestock stalling 1 to 4 p.m. (Vet Check first); 4-H rabbit and poultry check-in 2 to 4 p.m.; 4-H companion animal show 3 p.m.; free barbecue 4 to 6 p.m. |
| Mon., Aug. 17 | Judging begins 9 a.m.; 4-H dairy show 10 a.m.; dairy goat 1:30 p.m.; rabbit show 3 p.m.; Bulls, Broncs and Barrels in the grandstand 7 p.m. |
| Tue., Aug. 18 | 4-H sheep show 9 a.m.; pie contest entry 10:30 a.m. to noon; 4-H meat goat show 3 p.m.; Open Class market lamb show 6 p.m.; Enduro races 7 p.m. |
| Wed., Aug. 19 | 4-H swine show 9 a.m.; Senior Day and pie giveaway 1 p.m.; 4-H beef show 1 p.m.; Open Class beef show 5 p.m.; Figure 8 races 7 p.m. |
| Thu., Aug. 20 | 4-H round robin contests (small animal 8:30 a.m., large animal 10 a.m.); 4-H program and fashion revue 1:30 p.m.; 4-H livestock premium sale 6 p.m.; demolition derby 7 p.m.; all exhibits released 9 p.m. |
Exhibitors: How to Enter
- 4-H livestock must pass Vet Check before stalling.
- 4-H display exhibit entry is Sunday 5 to 7 p.m.; 4-H and Open Class static exhibit entry is Monday 8 to 9 a.m.
- Open Class market lamb weigh-ins are Tuesday 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Expo Building; Open Class beef check-in is Wednesday noon to 2 p.m.
- Open Class registrations can be made online, with tags picked up on the Saturday before the fair.
- The Fair Book on turnercountyfair.com carries the class lists and rules.
Fees and Tickets
- Gate: free.
- Grandstand tickets: sold through Midwestix; 2026 tickets went on sale July 7 at 7 p.m. The adult general price for Bulls, Broncs and Barrels was $20.
- Carnival wristband rides with D.C. Lynch Carnival: $25 for the Aug. 18 to 20 sessions. Special-needs ride hour Tuesday noon to 1 p.m.
What You Get
4-H exhibitors compete for ribbons and show their projects, and the 4-H livestock premium sale closes the week on Thursday evening. Visitors get free Heritage Park concerts, a pie contest on Tuesday, bingo, and fair food such as lamb chislic, homemade ice cream, tri-tip sandwiches and pork loin sandwiches.
Where
Turner County Fairgrounds, 680 E 2nd St, Parker, SD.
Questions
Do I pay to get in?
No, the gate is free.
When is the next fair?
August 16 to 19, 2027.
Who do I call?
The fair posts a contact page at turnercountyfair.com;.
Official Links
- Turner County Fair
- 2026 schedule
- Dakota News Now: grandstand tickets
- Oldest county fair in South Dakota
South Dakota County Fairs: The Essentials
South Dakota county fairs combine a community fair with a 4-H show, often called Achievement Days, run by your local SDSU Extension office. Fairs cluster from late July through August; Turner County's fair in Parker has run every year since 1880.
Entering
Many counties use FairEntry. Codington County's 2026 entries were due July 22, with a separate form for each display exhibit. Use the State Fair Book, since only items listed in it are eligible.
Livestock
Animals must be individually identified in 4-H Online. Market beef, goats, sheep and swine headed to the State Fair need a DNA sample at the county office by June 1, and every livestock exhibitor needs an approved Youth Livestock Literacy program by July 1.
State fair
A display exhibit needs a ribbon placing at a county event to qualify. State Fair registration closes August 1, and South Dakota 4-H says missed deadlines have no exceptions. The 2027 fair in Huron runs September 1 to 6.
Counties set their own premium, sale and pet rules, so read your county packet and ask the Extension office when something is unclear. Pick up the State Fair Book early.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- South Dakota Farm Bureau Annual Convention
The 109th convention, Nov. 20-21, 2026, at The Box Events Center in Box Elder, brings farmers and ranchers together to set policy and honor members; Flint Rasmussen entertains at the banquet.
Box Elder, SD | 1-605-353-8054 | Organizer: South Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - South Dakota Ag Expo
Agribusiness trade show at the Sioux Falls Convention Center, Jan. 13-14, 2027: 8:30 AM to 6 PM Wednesday and 8 AM to noon Thursday.
Sioux Falls, SD Official event details - Lake City Racing Pigeon Show
Racing pigeon show on the Extension Complex calendar in Watertown for Jan. 16, 2027.
1910 West Kemp Avenue, Watertown, SD 57201 | Organizer: Lake City Racing Pigeon Club Official event details - South Dakota Corn Conference
The 41st annual conference on Jan. 16, 2027, offers free weather and market sessions with lunch, then an evening banquet with Corn Yield Contest awards and a CornPAC auction.
Sioux Falls, SD | 605-334-0100 | Organizer: South Dakota Corn Growers Association Official event details - Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo
Western heritage event in Rapid City with livestock shows, PRCA rodeo performances and Western entertainment, drawing more than 330,000 visitors; the next run is Jan. 29 to Feb. 6, 2027.
All South Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.