Kicking off America's 250th Celebration
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