Taking place at the Turner County Fairgrounds in Parker each August, the Turner County Fair is the oldest running fair in South Dakota. Admission is free and activities include 4-H exhibits, specialty foods (such as lamb chislic, homemade ice cream, homemade pie, beef or pork sandwiches, fresh-baked donuts and more), kids activities, grandstand events, musical performances and more. The fair gives local 4-H members the opportunity to showcase their projects while also serving as an unofficial end to summer with four fun-filled days before school starts.
The annual Vinegar Festival takes place in Roslyn in northeastern South Dakota. Events include a parade, Vinegar Queen crowning, stage entertainment, kids activities, food and craft vendors, alumni meet and greet, vinegar tasting, International Vinegar Museum tours and food demonstrations. Spend the day - 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. - enjoying the art of vinegar (times are approximate and subject to change).
Four days. Three shows. Thousands of wheels. Held in Huron at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds, Wheel Jam consists of three major shows: a car show, a motorcycle show and a semi/truck show. Other events include live entertainment, dynamic engine brake competition, semi light show, car and motorcycle show n’ shine, audio sound competition, burn out pit, poker run, stock car races, mobile dyno service and more. See our website for hours and admission information.
The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse and saber-toothed cat once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets live today. This cycling event held in Badlands National Park offers a choice of six rides: pavement 31 miles, pavement 38 miles, gravel 35 miles and gravel 64 miles, plus pavement 28 miles (Sunday) and gravel 33 miles (Sunday). (This event is part of the Grasslands Triple Crown point series competition, which also includes Grassland Gravel and the Thunderhawk Wide Open.)
Free concerts on Main Street Deadwood are awesome, but that's not all! You can also check out the National Dock Dogs Competition and learn the tricks of gold panning and sluicing from Black Hills pros right on Main Street. There's also a weekend-long classic car auction, and free concerts by top bands. Have fun celebrating the life and times of Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood.
Wild Deadwood Reads is an annual event held at The Lodge at Deadwood Gaming Resort in Historic Deadwood. Our multi-author, multi-genre Book Fair is just one of the exciting events happening, along with a basket raffle to support a local nonprofit organization, numerous giveaways and prizes, and much more. In attendance will be more than 100 authors from all over the country, including bestselling and award-winning authors of every genre—romance, historical, Christian, children’s, mystery, thrillers, Western, non-fiction and more. You will be able to find something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Admittance is free, so bring the whole family and find your new favorite books and authors.
Deadwood’s finest businesses will once again serve up samples of select fine wines, pleasing cheeses, and sweet chocolates to ticket holders. This yearly event runs 1-5 p.m., with registration from 12 noon-3 p.m. Your ticket will get you tastings at all participating locations along with a commemorative Reidel wine glass. Registrations are limited to 300 people so buy early and don’t miss out on great times in Deadwood this winter. Must be 21+ to participate and must show photo ID at registration. All participants are required to check-in at the registration at the Deadwood Visitor’s Center.
The Sioux Empire's favorite Sportsmen’s Show is held at the Sioux Falls Arena & Convention Center. You will find the very best in resorts, lodges and camps from the Midwest and Canada, as well as Boat Show pricing on the newest fishing boats and pontoons, tackle and electronics and more. Plus, RV Show pricing on the best campers and trailers by the area’s best dealers and great hunting and fishing seminars. There's fun for the whole family. See our website for show hours, events schedule, and admission rates.
1st Fridays on Main in Mitchell is held the first Friday of each month, 5-9 p.m., May through September (May 2, June 6, July 4, July 31, and September 5, 2025). Event goers will enjoy live music, food trucks, vendors, activities and games for both adults and children. This free event is held around the Corn Palace Plaza in downtown Mitchell, corner of 6th Avenue & Main Street. (July 4 hours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. July 31 is a Thursday and is the Palace City Pre-Sturgis Party.)
Schmeckfest is an annual festival held in the southeastern South Dakota town of Freeman. The gathering uses food, art and a celebration of community to honor the history of Germans that emigrated from Russia. Held on the campus of the Freeman Academy, it’s been a fundraiser for the school every spring since 1959. The ethnic German meal, served family-style, and the community musical take place over two days each spring, in March or April. Admission information and complete details can be found online.
