Special Events
State Fair Geocache
- Daily
- 9 am – 8 pm
- Must have GPS Unit
- Coordinates will be posted soon
- For any two caches found, your name will be entered to win a State Fair prize package
- Stop by the Information Center during the Fair to be eligible to win
Century and Quasquicentennial Farm Awards
- Thursday, Sept 1
- 10:00 am
Dakotaland Stage
2011 Titanium Chef Beef Competition
- Thursday, Sept. 1
- 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Women's Building
Are you looking for free entertainment and gourmet samples? Come watch leading chefs compete in the 2011 Titanium Chef Beef Competition. These chefs will tantalize your taste buds and inspire your cooking creativity. The competition was made possible by the SD Beef Checkoff and the SD Beef Industry Council.
SD State Fair Great Western Bank Karaoke Rendezvous
Midway Roadhouse
- Prelims:
- Thursday, Sept. 1 and Friday, Sept. 2
- Finals:
- Saturday, Sept. 3
- 5 pm – 7 pm
Dacotah Star presented by Dacotah Bank
Northwestern Energy Freedom Stage
Dacotah Star is the SD State Fair’s version of American Idol! Contestants compete in preliminary competition Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Those who make it out of the preliminary competition will move onto the finals!
Cowboy Mounted State Fair Shoot
- Friday, Sept. 2
- 2:00pm
North Arena
Money Sponsored By:
SD State Fair Team Roping
- Friday, Sept. 2
- 10:00 am
Hippodrome
Money Sponsored By:
SD State Fair Sheepdog Timed Trials
- Friday, Sept. 2
- 6:00 pm
Hippodrome
Money Sponsored By:
Rodney Yost Horsemanship Demonstration
- Friday, Sept. 2
- 11 am – 2 pm
- Saturday, Sept. 3
- 9 am – 12 pm
South of Hippodrome
Adult Division Winners (L to R): Elena Ghergehelescu, Milbank, Neil Bowes, Yankton, Susi Odden, Ree Heights, Tammie DeWald, Milbank, M. K. Bishop, Milbank, Doug Dreyer, Warner, Lisa Walton, Mitchell
Youth Division Winners (L to R): Braeden Walton, Mitchell, Haley Dorschner, Pierre, Michaela DeWald, Milbank, Drew Pazour, Pukwana, Kiera Leddy, Stockholm
SD CattleWomen State Fair Beef Cook-Off
- Saturday, Sept. 3
- 9 am - 2 pm
Women's Building
- Hosted by the SD CattleWomen, Funded by SD Beef Producers through Beef Check-Off Dollars
Beef Basket Challenge
- 3 pm – 4 pm
- Featuring Holly Hoffman, SD's Survivor Finalist, and husband Rep. Charlie Hoffman
Kids Pedal Pull
- Saturday, Sept. 3
- Registration – 11:00 am, Start Time – 12:00 pm
East 3rd St.
Winners in each division go on to the State Pedal Pull in Mitchell
Sponsored by ADM-Benson Quinn
SD State Fair Classic Car Show
- Saturday, Sept. 1
- 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Centennial Stage
- Hosted by Sherwin Linton
- Open to all classic cars
- Trophies awarded to 1st-3rd place in People’s Choice Competition
Sponsored By:
2010 Legislative Beef Show Champion – Representative Charles Hoffman
Legislative Showmanship Competition
- Saturday, Sept. 3
- 10:30 am
4-H Livestock Complex
2010 results: Emerging as Grand Champion Showman was Rep. Charles Hoffman. Taking second place was Rep. Paul Dennert, and Rep. Dean Wink rounded out the top three.
View more photos of the Legislative Showmanship Competition
Learn more about the 2010 Legislative Showmanship Competition
SD State Fair BBQ Beef Cook-Off
Tasting free to the public!
- Saturday, Sept. 3
- Judging and People's Choice Judging - 4:00 pm
Horticulture Park
- 1st Place : Dakota Grills
- 2nd Place : Chuck and Bondell Aleck
- 3rd Place : Carl Brakke
- People’s Choice: Dakota Grills
Additional brisket sponsored by SD Beef Industry Council
Jack's Campers Chili Challenge
Tasting free to the public!
- Saturday, Sept. 3
- Judging - 12:30 pm; People's Choice Judging - 1:00 pm
Horticulture Park
- 1st Place: Darin’s Market/Jake’s Lounge
- 2nd Place: Dakota Grills
- 3rd Place: No-Fru-Que
- People’s Choice: Darin’s Market/Jake’s Lounge
South Dakota Timed Event Championship
- Saturday, Sept. 3 and Sunday, Sept. 4
- 9:00 am
North Arena
Open to youth ages 14-19
More Information
SD State Fair Pork Loin Cook-Off
- Pork and Soybeans Day – Sunday, September 4
Sponsored By:
SD State Fair Antique Tractor Show
- Sunday, September 2
- 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Centennial Stage
- Hosted by Sherwin Linton
- Open to all antique tractors
- Trophies awarded to 1st-3rd place in People’s Choice Competition
Sponsored by:
SD State Fair Strongest Man Competition
- Sunday, Sept. 4
- 1:00 pm
South of Carnival Mat
Brad Lamb with SD 4-H Youth Council members
SD Auctioneers Association State Bid Calling Championship
- Sunday, Sept. 2
- 2:00 pm
Followed by 4-H Foundation Benefit Auction
Kids Fish Catch
Sponsored by Huron Laboratory SVC, PC
- Sunday, Sept. 4
- 6:00 pm
West of Dakotaland Stage
Reigning Miss SD State Fair
