2025 South Dakota State Fair Offers 1000s of Things to Eat 

What’s the best part of the South Dakota State Fair? Is it looking down on everything from high up on the Ferris Wheel? Getting nose to nose with a prize pig? Or winning a bear or a blue ribbon?  These are all  thrills, but the spills are just as fun. From mustard and ketchup spills to chocolate and chimichanga sauce, fair food makes its mark. Leave your favorite shirt at home and get ready to indulge.

The 2025 Fair will run through Monday, September 1, in Huron. That’s a long holiday weekend of classic favorites such as cotton candy, corn dogs, cheeseburgers and chislic. Of course, you can get just about anything fried, on a stick, fresh squeezed, fresh brewed, fresh cut, bacon wrapped , bloomin’, by the slice, dipped, loaded and topped with everything under the sun. Want it homemade, hand-breaded, and hot-off-the-grill? They’ve got it! Food at the Fair is well… extra… and then a little more. The choices will make you dizzier than the rides!

Drink water if you must, but there’s so much more to explore: frappes, mochas, lattes, sweet tea, Thai iced tea, lemonade in a rainbow of flavors, and pineapple and orchata aguas frescas. No matter where you turn, Pepsi is just an arm’s length away. Or get a stainless steel mug with refills of root beer, vanilla cream, black cherry, sarsaparilla, or birch and ginger soda. How about an ice cream float? An energy drink? Or a Shirley Temple?

Line up for the chocolate chip cookies or cut to the chase and just get the dough. In the mood for something that sounds exotic? Try the elephant pot stickers, monkey balls, and dilly dogs. How about elote, huaraches, paella, or a piada wrap?  Athens chicken, lamb or beef gyros, pad Thai, spring rolls, and crab puffs are also all on the menu. Hungry for something closer to home? Get Dakota nachos, buffalo cheese curds, corn on the cob, Indian tacos, ribs, burgers, steak, brisket, and prime rib.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast or eat breakfast as a snack. You’ll be ready to go after biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls, caramel rolls, French toast sticks, breakfast sandwiches on English muffins or croissants, mini doughnuts, pancakes, eggs, muffins, bagels,  sausage, and orange juice.

Kids or wannabe kids will love malts, french fries, ice cream cones, jumbo pretzels, deep-fried Oreos, and deep-fried Reese’s, brownies, and snickerdoodles. They’ll scream for cream cheese wontons, mac n cheese, apple juice taffy, mozzarella sticks, grilled cheese, deep fried PB&J, stuffed bananas, wondersticks, slushes, snowcones, and freezies.

Want to skip the meat? Nosh on a Greek salad, a veggie boat, veggie lo mein,  parmesan bread bites, or a wild rice burger.

Eating for two? The fair is a one-stop shop to satisfy all your cravings. Pair your chocolate-dipped cheesecake or molten lava cake with an ice-cold or deep-fried dill pickle. Wash them both down with a nice, cool glass of milk – regular or chocolate.  (Better go easy on the jalapeno poppers and the chili dogs, though)

Looking for a decent dinner to take you through the evening shows or tide you over on  your trip home? How about a half -pound, hand-pattied black angus burger, bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin on a stick, chicken wings, beer brats, fire wok shrimp and noodles, steak fried rice, pasta, pizza, or a slamburger..

And what’s a state fair without pie!  Cherry, coconut cream, lemon meringue. Dutch apple, pumpkin and more. They’re all there just waiting for your fork..

Can’t decide? The Fair has got you covered with Kettle Corn. A crunchy bite of sweet with a crunchy bite of salt. If you don’t leave the gates smelling like a waffle cone or fry bread, you just aren’t trying!

Admission to the Fair:   Daily- Adult – $10; Daily-Youth (6-15)- $5; Weekly –  Adult –  $50; Weekly – Youth: $25 –  Daily Family Pass (2 adults, 4 youth) –  $35

Events This Weekend

Thursday, Aug. 28  – Annual Ice Cream Social.  Discover exciting products and producers transforming raw agricultural goods into value-added opportunities. Enjoy engaging spotlight talks and delicious local food demonstrations. 

Friday, Aug. 29 – Stop by Olympic Motors (formerly Prostrollo Motors) on East Highway 14 in Huron to pick up a coupon for $2 off daily gate admission. Sign up for a chance to win the “Best Seats in the House” in the Grandstand at the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday shows. Door prize drawings from Olympic Motors and free ice water all day. 

Saturday, Aug. 30 – Farmer’s Share Luncheon (limited tickets) 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m .A $16 value, you pay  just 52 cents to showcase the farmer’s share of retail food dollars. Farm safety demonstrations at 11 a.m., and  2 p.m., and 4 p.m. The FFA Quiz Bowl Championship.

Sunday, Aug. 31  –  Red, White, & You Day! Wear your boldest red, brightest white, and bluest blue to honor our nation’s past, present, and future. Dress for the theme and  be entered in a drawing. Win a great prize just for showing your spirit. America’s Ag-mazing Race and the Great Patriotic Animal Calling Contest—fun and laughs for all ages.

Monday, Sept. 1 –  Stock the shelves and pay it forward. Businesses sponsor admission passes for those in need and at random at the entrances.  “Stock the Shelves” by bringing  a non-perishable item to any gate between 7- 11 a.m. and get $2 off your admission. Limit one food item per person. Enjoy the FAIR FREE after 3 pm!