SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: August 8, 2016
Media Contact: Candi Briley, 605.353.7340

Pay it Forward at the SD State Fair

HURON, S.D. – The South Dakota State Fair is partnering with businesses and organizations to provide free admission to the fair for those in need or to random people on Monday, Sept. 5. Any fairgoer could be the lucky recipient of a Pay it Forward pass as they enter the gates.

The Pay it Forward idea started when a Huron businessman came into the fair office and said he wasn’t able to do a big sponsorship for the fair, but what he could do is sponsor daily gate passes to distribute to those in need. He was certain that other businesses would be willing to do the same and either choose to distribute the passes to those in need or randomly at the State Fair admission gates.

“We are strong supporters of the SD State Fair,” said Robin Olson of R & L Sanitary. “We are not necessarily in a position to do a big sponsorship but still wanted to participate at some level. I approached the fair and asked how we could go about purchasing some tickets to distribute to the less fortunate and they were very receptive. While it may seem like a little thing, it has the potential to have a large impact.”

Other Pay it Forward activities include:

• - Pay it forward to the food pantry by bringing a non-perishable food item for the “Drive to End Hunger” between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and receive $2 off gate admission.
• - Monster truck fans, pay it forward and have a ‘souper’ good time by bringing a can of soup to the grandstand between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and receive a free ride on the “Twisted Steel” monster truck.

If you are interested in participating in Pay it Forward Day or would like more information, please contact the fair office at 605-353-7340. Fair officials are working with United Way Heartland Region to distribute the tickets to those in need.

The 2016 SD State Fair will run from Thursday, Sept. 1, through Monday, Sept. 5. Channel Seeds Preview night will be Wednesday, Aug. 31. This year’s theme is “Thrills, Squeals and Ferris Wheels.” For more information on State Fair events, contact the Fair office at 800-529-0900, visit www.sdstatefair.com or find them on Facebook or Twitter.

Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

– 30 –