State Fair reports tornado recovery, attendance metrics and major fundraising push

Peggy, representing the South Dakota State Fair, briefed commissioners on recovery work after a July 2 tornado and on fair operations, attendance and fundraising.

Peggy said the fairgrounds and city crews worked with inmate crews from the Department of Corrections to clear storm damage and get the site back toward normal, though work remains on trees and some roofs. “We were very fortunate that, Department of Corrections sent out emergency crews … and we worked with the city to deploy those folks for cleaning up the city and also the fairgrounds,” she said.

She provided operational metrics from the prior fair year: attendance of a little over 180,000 (down about 3%), roughly 1,914 campers, and fair-goer spending of more than $3.2 million; she said the fair generated about $265,000 in tax revenue. The fair reported strong youth participation in education exhibits and new programming, including a sensory-friendly morning and partnerships with local organizations to expand accessibility.

On capital and maintenance work, Peggy outlined completed and ongoing projects including roof replacement at the Dairy Barn and Dakota Land Museum, LED lighting upgrades funded by a state green-energy grant, and storefront and tuckpointing work on Arts and Ed buildings. She said fundraising efforts include a campaign to replace and acquire portable stalls and a matched campaign to buy 450 new pens with $60,000 in matching support already pledged.

Peggy asked the commission to help identify staffing or volunteers for key superintendent roles during the fair and noted ongoing plans to host several national events at the fairgrounds into October.

Commissioners thanked Peggy and staff, praised the cleanup effort and acknowledged the fair’s role in regional tourism and community programming.