Kicking off America's 250th Celebration

The South Dakota State Fair is proud to announce its participation in America250, the national initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. Special events and programming are scheduled throughout the fair.

Everywhere you turn at the South Dakota State Fair, the America250 celebration will shine bright! From festive red, white, and blue barrel wraps to star-spangled vending booths, the fairgrounds will be decked out in patriotic flair. It’s a full-on tribute to our nation’s 250th birthday, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere for fairgoers of all ages.

Join us as we kick off the celebration of America's 250th!  Check back often for more details; special events will be posted as they are confirmed!
America250 Fireworks

The celebration begins with fireworks lighting up the sky after both nights of the Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash.

Date/Time: Wednesday, August 27 and Thursday, August 28 - after the Bull Bash at approximately 9:30 pm


America250: Come Declare Your Independence

Kids can declare their independence by signing the copy of the Declaration of Independence with feather pens.

Date/Time: Thursday, August 28 – 12:45 pm
Location: NorthWestern Energy Freedom Stage


Shuck Yeah! The Great American Corn Eating Contest
Youth Contest: 10-16 years old | Adult Contest: 17+ years old
Contests are limited to the first 8 entries per age division

Pre-registration is encouraged. See flyer below!
Forms can be completed through the Google form link, emailed to [email protected], mailed to 1060 3rd St. SW, Huron, SD 57350 or dropped off at the Nordby Exhibit Hall
Shuck Yeah! The Great American Corn Eating Contest Google Form
Shuck Yeah! The Great American Corn Eating Contest Rules & Registration

Date/Time: Thursday, August 28 – 3:30 pm
Location: Farm Bureau Dakotaland Stage


Great American Hot-Dog Eating Contest
Youth Contest: 10-16 years old | Adult Contest: 17+ years old
Contests are limited to the first 8 entries per division

Pre-registration is encouraged. See flyer below!
Forms can be completed through the google form link, emailed to [email protected], mailed to 1060 3rd St. SW, Huron, SD 57350 or dropped off at the Nordby Exhibit Hall

Great American Hot-Dog Eating Contest Google Form
Great American Hot Dog Eating Contest Rules & Registration

Date/Time: Friday, August 29 – 1:30 pm
Location: DeSmet Farm Mutual Insurance Stage


Celebrity Great American Pie-Eating Contest

Get ready for a star-studded showdown that’s as sweet as it is hilarious! Watch local celebrities and special guests roll up their sleeves and dive headfirst into delicious, all-American pies—no forks allowed! The clock will be ticking, the crowd will be cheering, and the pie will be flying as contestants race to claim the ultimate bragging rights. Who will rise to the top, and who will crumble like a flaky crust? Join us for this tasty, laugh-out-loud competition that’s sure to be a fair favorite!

Date/Time: Saturday, August 30 – 12:20 pm
Location: NorthWestern Energy Freedom Stage


America250 Car Classic

Where timeless rides meet American pride.

Find all the information HERE

Date/Time: Saturday, August 30 – 11 am – 4 pm
Location: Centennial Stage


Great American Stick Horse Race

Entry information will be posted soon.

Date/Time: Saturday, August 30 – 5 pm
Location: Hippodrome


Red, White & You Day

Celebrate America’s 250th in Star-Spangled style!

Join us on Sunday, August 31, for Red, White, & You Day at the South Dakota State Fair—where patriotic pride takes center stage!

Wear your boldest red, brightest white, and bluest blue to help us celebrate America250 and honor our nation’s past, present, and future.

Show your spirit and get rewarded! Everyone who dresses for the theme will be entered into a special prize drawing—you could walk away with something great just for showing your patriotic pride!

Make the most of the day with special America250-themed events like America’s Ag-mazing Race and the Great Patriotic Animal Calling Contest—fun for all ages and full of laughs, cheers, and a whole lot of red, white, and moo!

Haven’t started the America250 Passport to Fun yet? There’s still time to pick up your passport and join in the adventure across the fairgrounds.

Let’s pack the fair with flags, fun, and festive flair. Stars, stripes, and smiles await—enjoy the fair and we’ll see you there!


Old Iron Glory Antique Tractor Show

Find all the information HERE

Date/Time: Sunday, August 31 – 11 am – 4 pm
Location: Centennial Stage


DIY in the USA

Find all the information HERE

Date/Time: Submit entries between 11am-12pm on Sunday, August 31
Location: Horizons Hall


America's Ag-mazing Race

12+ years old | Teams of two (2)
Limited to the first 8 teams

Pre-registration is encouraged. See flyer below!
Forms can be completed through the google form link, emailed to [email protected], mailed to 1060 3rd St. SW, Huron, SD 57350 or dropped off at the Nordby Exhibit Hall

America's Ag-mazing Race Google Form
America's Ag-mazing Race Flyer

Date/Time: Sunday, August 31 - 11 am
Location: West of Dakotaland Museum


Stars, Stripes & Scoops

To help celebrate America250, the first 100 people to come into Horizons Hall dressed in red, white & blue will receive a coupon for free ice-cream from the American Dairy stand in the Dakota Market Place.
Limited to 1 per person.

Date/Time: Sunday, August 31 - 1pm - 3pm
Location: Horizons Hall


The Great Patriotic Animal Calling Contest

Step right up and show off your best animal call in celebration of America250! From crowing roosters to mooing cows, this lively contest invites fairgoers of all ages to strut their stuff and entertain the crowd with their most impressive (and hilarious) animal impressions — all in patriotic spirit. 

The Great Patriotic Animal Calling Contest Flyer
The Great Patriotic Animal Calling Contest Google Form

Date/Time: Sunday, August 31 – 1:30 pm
Location: DeSmet Farm Mutual Insurance Stage

Dress The Bunny Contest

Hoppy 250th, America! Celebrate in style at the Dress the Bunny Contest! With both adult and youth categories, contestants can showcase their creativity by dressing up their bunny for a chance to win prizes. Awards will be given for the Most Patriotic outfit and the Most Original design.

Date/Time: Sunday, August 31 – 2 pm
Location: Rabbit/Poultry Tent


Patriotic Pairs Look-Alike Showdown

Show off your star-spangled style! This America250-themed contest
celebrates duos who go all-in on matching, themed, or coordinated
patriotic outfits, and accessories.

Patriotic Pairs Look-Alike Showdown
Patriotic Pairs Look-Alike Showdown Google Form

Date/Time: Monday, September 1 – 10 am
Location: Farm Bureau Dakotaland Stage


Week Long Events


250 Miles for 250 Years

Find all the information HERE


America250 Coloring Contest

Join the America250 Coloring Contest at the South Dakota State Fair!

Kids are invited to show off their creativity and patriotic pride by coloring an official America250-themed sheet. All entries will be displayed in Horizons Hall throughout the fair.
Age groups are 1–4, 5-7, 8-10, 11-14, & 15+.

Turn in your completed sheet to Horizons Hall all week before Monday, September 1 at 9 AM to be eligible for judging.

One winner from each age group will receive State Fair merchandise!

One entry per person. Coloring sheets will be available by printing them out from the links below or throughout the week at Horizons Hall.

Coloring Sheet 1

Coloring Sheet 2

Coloring Sheet 3


Daily America250 & South Dakota Facts

Stay tuned for where you'll find daily facts at during the fair.


America250 Trash to Treasure Contest

Find all the information HERE


All-American Campsite Contest

Deck out your campsite in red, white, and blue for a chance to win exciting prizes and show off your patriotic flair. Whether you're going big and bold or charming and creative, we can’t wait to see your star-spangled setups!

More information on the competition will be included in the camping packets.


Daily National Anthem

Date/Time: Wednesday, August 27 – Saturday, August 30 & Monday, September 1 – 9:45 am; Sunday, August 31 – 10 am