The 85th Sioux Empire Fair welcomes new events

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The 85th Sioux Empire Fair starts on Friday, August 2 at 5 p.m. and officials say they’re excited to kick start the festivities with an event that’s the first of its kind for the fair.

CEO and President of the Sioux Empire Fair and W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Scott Wick, met with officials from the South Dakota Hispanic Chamber of Commerce with the question, “How about if we did a Hispanic night, a Latino night, a family festival type experience?”

Now Fiesta Latina is bringing live Hispanic music and cultural performances to the fair on the first night.

Wick exclaimed, “We’ve had a huge response from the local community and I think it’ll probably be one of our bigger nights!”

Another new addition to the fair this year is an additional night of rodeo to replace their motocross thrill show.

“We produce Bulls and Broncs in February every year and it’s very well attended, standing room only this last year on Saturday so on Friday we’ll have Bulls and Broncs the last Saturday we’ll have two performances of the rodeo,” Wick said.

With the new events and concerts featuring artists from varying genres, the big question is admission costs. officials say they’re bringing back a measure from the past. Going back to free admission Monday through Friday from opening till 1 p.m. Outside that timeframe, fair admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 12.

“We always hope for the best, but you got to plan for the weather. It is South Dakota it can be a beautiful cloud-free evening and something will put up west and move out this way so you always have to be aware of that.” Wick said.

Wick said the best way to stay up to date with everything related to the Sioux Empire Fair is to stay up to date through their website and social channels.

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