2026 Grandstand Entertainment

Action will round out the South Dakota State Fair as the Thunder at the Fair Truck and Tractor Pull, sponsored by American Bank & Trust, is set for the Fair’s final day.

Fans can expect an exciting afternoon as the 2026 Case IH Thunder in the Dirt Outlaw Pulling Series returns. The series will feature five national classes: Super Farm Tractors, Light Pro Stock Tractors, Light Super Stocks, NA 2WD, and Light Limited Mod Tractors. Competitors from across the Midwest will go head to head for top honors and championship points.

Jake Owen is a country music mainstay with a career boasting a collection of gold and platinum records, 10 No.1 singles, and more than 2.5 Billion U.S. on-demand streams.

The ACM award winner is signatured by his laid-back style and hit recordings such as “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” “Beachin’,” “Anywhere With You,” “Alone With You” and “The One That Got Away." The acclaimed recording artist, headlining entertainer, and actor has released nine albums, headlined tours globally, and appeared in the movie Our Friend (2019).

The South Dakota State Fair is excited to announce the return of the Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash at the 2026 SD State Fair. Fans can experience two thrilling nights of bucking bulls on Channel Seeds Opening Day, Wednesday, September 2, and Thursday, September 3. Both nights are scheduled to begin at 8 P.M. CT.

Tuff Hedeman, a four-time world champion bull rider, Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer, and one of the most recognizable cowboys in the world, is coming back to the State Fair with 24 of the top cowboys for his annual Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour. Each evening features two hours of adrenaline-pumping action played out in a sudden-death-style tournament. The bull riding starts with Tuff’s “Bounty Bull” night on Wednesday and continues Thursday night in a tournament-style event and “Shoot Out” round where the bulk of the prize money, championship title, and custom prizes are awarded.

The Red Wilk Construction American Hero Award will also be presented during the event. Since 2013, Red and his family have honored more than 100 Veterans across South Dakota.

Bursting onto the scene a few short years ago, country vocal powerhouse Nate Smith has accumulated over 2 billion career streams, scored three multi-week No. 1 records (“Whiskey on You,” “World on Fire” and “Bulletproof”), garnered multiple gold and platinum records, sold-out shows across the US and received numerous nominations for best new artist from the CMA Awards, ACM Awards, CMT Awards, iHeart Radio Awards and so many more. Most recently, Smith received the award for ACM New Male Artist of the Year, Billboard’s Rookie of the Year and Amazon’s Breakthrough Country Artist for 2024. Smith’s sophomore album, California Gold, was just released and debuted Top 15 on Billboard’s Country Albums Chart.