Ride your bike and come fly a kite at the annual Brookings Kite Festival. This is a free, fun-filled, family event for all ages. You can watch massive demonstration kites, fly your own kites, enjoy face painting and more. There will also be food vendors and South Dakota State University ice cream. Join in the fun at the Fishback Soccer Complex, both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.
Since 1972, beautiful Pioneer Park in Brookings has been home to South Dakota’s premier juried art festival held in early July. More than 200 selected regional and national artists representing 17 disciplines display their original and handcrafted works of art. There are more than 40 food booths, as well as numerous living history, antique and children's booths that compliment the festivities in Pioneer Park. There is also entertainment on three stages and shuttle buses are available. The hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free.
The Brown County Fair is a family-friendly, week-long event held every August in Aberdeen. The grandstand is packed with big name entertainment. There is a carnival midway as well as two Expo buildings full of vendors for your shopping pleasure. The Fair also hosts the largest 4-H program in South Dakota and many open class livestock and arts and crafts events. There is a rodeo, tractor pulls, food vendors, children's events, chili cook-off and much more. Open daily, 8 a.m.-12 midnight. Ticket prices vary based on each day's events. The 90th Anniversary will be celebrated in 2026.
First held in 1991, the annual Burke Stampede Rodeo became a PRCA-sanctioned event in 2021. It features bareback riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, ladies breakaway roping, team roping, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing and bull riding. Other activities include dances Friday and Saturday nights and a cowboy breakfast. Rodeo performances take place nightly at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are available locally and online. See our website and Facebook for the latest information.
The biggest South Dakota fair west of the Missouri River takes place in Rapid City at the Central States Fairgrounds. Spend your day sampling delicious food and checking out carnival rides and exhibits for all ages before capping off each night with a demolition derby, rodeo, or concerts by great country music acts. The fair also features children's entertainment, regional music, a magic show, and pig wrestling. See the website for admission and additional information.
The Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at Falls Park is a family event that brings together the business and civic community of Sioux Falls and the surrounding area to recognize, appreciate and celebrate the cultural gifts and heritage of the Latino people in our midst. While observing this traditional Mexican holiday, Cinco de Mayo in Sioux Falls creates awareness of and develops pride in the diverse Latino cultures that make up our community. Latino food, dance, art, music, children’s activities and more make this a festive and fun family day. Join us at Falls Park for this fun, free event.
The Clay County Fair, held each August in Vermillion, is a classic hometown fair. It features 4-H and open class exhibits, 4-H livestock shows, a kids pedal pull contest, a cornhole tournament, Barnyard Olympics, inflatables, vendors, a free community barbeque on Thursday, and a Backyard BBQ Bash, demolition derby and street dance on Saturday, entertainment and more. Join us Thursday through Saturday. Find this year's event schedule on our website.
Bring the entire family out to Stokes-Thomas Lake City Park on Lake Kampeska near Watertown for two days of family-friendly fun. Cookin' on Kampeska is packed full of exciting activities and entertainment for everyone - BBQ tasting, children's activities, bean bags, Corks and Kegs, inflatables, live music and more. Check out the complete schedule of events online and make plans to join us in July. Admission is $10 and children 10 and under are free. Planning to attend both days? Purchase a weekend pass for $15. See our website and Facebook for the latest updates.
Since 1971, the city of Mitchell has hosted the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo. This PRCA rodeo features performances at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at the Rodeo Grounds north of Mitchell. Other events during the four-day celebration include a golf tournament, barrel racing, team roping, Mutton Bustin', parade, Cowboy Church Service, and a chili cook-off. See our website for more details and ticket information.
Located on a ranch “out where the pavement ends and the West begins,” seven miles northeast of Clear Lake, the Crystal Springs Rodeo is the most unique rodeo you will ever attend. The rolling Coteau Hills come together to form an all-natural rodeo bowl with hillside seating. Bring your lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy the excitement of a PRCA rodeo all three nights. Get there early to reserve your spot - gates open at 5:30 p.m. Browse the hillside vendors before the rodeo starts at 7:30 p.m. nightly. See our website for ticket information and other details. 2025 marks the 79th year of the Crystal Springs Rodeo.
