The Sioux Empire Fair is held each summer at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds in Sioux Falls, SD. For six fun-filled days, fairgoers can enjoy free entertainment, commercial exhibits, agricultural activities, livestock and 4H judging, carnival rides, delicious food, and nightly Grandstand shows. Over 260,000 people attend each year, making it one of the largest fairs in the state. Since 1940, the Sioux Empire Fair has been the best place for family fun in South Dakota.
Minnehaha County 4-H members
The Minnehaha County 4-H members, parents, leaders and Extension Staff would like to welcome you to the Sioux Empire Fair!
4-H has always been an integral part of the fair and so while you are at the fair, we would like to invite you to enjoy what the 4-H program has to offer.
The Sioux Empire Fair is a chance for the 4-Hers to showcase what they have learned throughout the year by bringing exhibits that related to the 4-H projects they are enrolled in.
One division of projects is the static (nonlive) 4-H exhibits that are located in the Armory, which is north of the Grandstand. There you will find exhibits related to food, clothing, photography, rocketry, horticulture, wood science, health and visual arts, just to mention a few of the project areas. Public viewing of the static exhibits is from 10:00 AM-9:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday from noon to 7:00 PM.
If it is live animals you want to see, they are located in the 4-H Barns just west of the Domestic Arts Building. There you will see beef, sheep, swine, dairy, goats, rabbits and chickens.
As you are viewing the animals, feel free to visit with any of the 4-Hers you see about their projects. They would be more than happy to share various aspects of what it takes to feed and care for their animals to how to get them ready to go into the show ring.
Be sure to check the fair schedule of events to see what day each show is held including the 4-H Cat Show.
On your way to the live animals you will walk right by the 4-H Snack Stand. Each 4-H Club takes a turn working in the Snack Stand throughout the week and they enjoy accommodating your food and beverage needs.
Also throughout the week, 4-Hers will demonstrate their communication skills as they give their public speeches in the Armory. The schedule of speeches will be posted in the Armory.
4-H is a youth educational program that focuses on developing leadership, citizenship and life skills. If you are interested in joining the 4-H program contact the Minnehaha County Extension Office at 367-7877.
