FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 11, 2003
CONTACT: S.D. State Fair at 605/353-7340

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE FAIR SETS NEW DATES

(Pierre, SD) Following today’s vote of the State Fair Advisory Commission, the South Dakota State Fair will be moving back into the Labor Day weekend time slot. The State Fair will kick off the Saturday prior to Labor Day and end the Saturday after Labor Day.

"This has been a tough one," said Secretary Gabriel, when talking about the decision to change the dates of the State Fair. "The State Fair is so important to our state, and it is imperative that we do all we can to help it succeed. After studying the declining numbers from the past few years, it was apparent that a change had to be made."

"The South Dakota State Fair is the ‘premier’ event of the summer. Historically, state fairs have been the Grand Finale to county fairs," stated Susan Hayward, State Fair Manager. "We feel the efforts of 4-H, FFA, and Open Class exhibitors are being diminished by not having the State Fair at the end of the season."

Moving the fair into the school year provides an exciting new opportunity. The challenge will be to include more of the state’s youth in activities ranging from cattle fitting to free throw shooting competition and everything in between. The State Fair staff and advisory commission, as well as the Department of Agriculture, will be working with administrators, teachers and coaches to create an agenda that will appeal to the students and provide a unique learning experience.

"Education is a priority in South Dakota," said Susan Hayward, "and my staff and I are committed to working closely with schools to find ways to implement the State Fair into their educational programs. South Dakota is an agricultural state, and our 4-H and FFA programs are top notch. We will be working closely with those groups to keep their presence strong at the State Fair, while giving students from across the state an opportunity to participate in various activities that wouldn’t be available at their schools."

"South Dakota’s greatest asset is our youth," said Gabriel, "and I think the State Fair is the perfect place to showcase their talents and pique their curiosity. The possibilities are endless as far as activities go – and I hope to hear from anyone who has ideas they would like to see implemented at the fair. This is the STATE Fair, and it belongs to the people of South Dakota. I’m depending on everyone to pitch in and make it the best it can be."

The dates of the 2004 South Dakota State Fair will be September 4 through September 11.

For more information, contact the South Dakota State Fair at 605-353-7340.

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