A fair history

Commission chairman shares history of South Dakota State Fair

Melisa Goss
Aug 28, 2024
Aug 28, 2024

State Fair Hx (1).jpg — Attendees explore the South Dakota State Fair in 1912.
Photo courtesy South Dakota State Historical Society

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The South Dakota State Fair has been around longer than South Dakota has been a state.

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State Fair Hx (3).JPG — State Fair Commission chairman Faron Wahl presented a history of the South Dakota State Fair and its connection to agriculture during the 2024 Governor’s Ag Summit in Huron.
Submitted photo by South Dakota State Historical Society

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State Fair Hx (2).jpg — Horse races, like this one from the 1912 state fair, were a favorite attraction until the 1950s, South Dakota State Fair Commission chairman Faron Wahl said.
Submitted photo by South Dakota State Historical Society

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State Fair Hx (4).jpg — An elevated view of the 1912 South Dakota State Fair. Midway rides were popular even then and the top of the carousel can be seen in the lower left corner of the photo.
Submitted photo by South Dakota State Historical Society

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Melisa Goss, Assistant Editor for the Tri-State Neighbor, is a South Dakota farm girl whose love of travel has allowed her to see ag’s vital impact around the world, from America’s heartland to the rice paddies of Southeast Asia and many places in between. She makes her home in Hartford with her husband, daughter and miniature schnauzer. You can reach her at mgoss@lee.net.