SD State Fair to Host Chili Challenge and Pork Butt Battle

HURON, S.D. – The South Dakota State Fair is seeking entries for the Jack’s Campers Chili Challenge and the Pork Butt Battle sponsored by Advanced Bio Energy and SD Pork Producers.

The Jack’s Campers Chili Challenge takes place Friday, Sept. 2, at Horticulture Park. Cooking begins at 8 a.m. with the People’s Choice Tasting and judging beginning at 1 p.m. The first place team will receive $225, with $150 going to 2^nd place and $75 for 3^rd place. People’s Choice winner will receive $50. Participants come from all over to compete for the title of best chili.

The Pork Butt Battle, sponsored by South Dakota Pork Producers and Advanced BioEnergy, will also take place Friday, Sept. 2. Cooking begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1. Competitors will cook through the night and the following morning to be prepared for People’s Choice Tasting and judging at 3 p.m. on Friday. Top prize is $500, with $225 for 2^nd place and $125 for 3^rd place. People’s Choice Winner will receive $100. All winners will receive a trophy.

Rules and entry forms for both cook offs can be found on the SD State Fair website, www.sdstatefair.com, under the Special Events section.

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 http://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.

Become the Next Dakota Star at the South Dakota State Fair

HURON, S.D. – Performers can make their voice heard at the South Dakota State Fair and become the next Dakota Star at the Dakota Star Talent Competition sponsored by Dakotaland Federal Credit Union. More than $2,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to Dakota Star division winners.

The grand prize winner in the adult division wins the title of “2016 Dakota Star,” along with a cash prize of $1,000 and the opportunity to star in his/her own commercial promoting Dakota Star on KTTW Fox. The winner will also have the opportunity to perform on the NorthWestern Energy Freedom Stage during the 2017 South Dakota State Fair and emcee the 2017 Dakota Star talent competition. The 2015 Dakota Star is Liz Kubal from Lesterville, S.D.

There are three age divisions for Dakota Star – Children (up to 11 years), Junior (12 through 17 years) and Adult (18 and older). Applications for the 14th Annual Dakota Star Talent Competition sponsored by Dakotaland Federal Credit Union are now available online at www.sdstatefair.com or at the State Fair office. The deadline for entering the talent competition is Monday, Aug. 22, at 5 p.m. 

Preliminary competition begins on Friday, Sept. 2, and ends on Sunday, Sept.4. Dakota Star finals will be held on Monday, Sept. 5. The talent competition is held on the NorthWestern Energy Freedom Stage.

“As a locally-owned financial cooperative, Dakotaland Federal Credit Union believes strongly in the power of people.  The talent found across our great state of South Dakota is worth celebrating and we look forward to showcasing those that take to the NorthWestern Energy Freedom Stage at the State Fair in 2016,” stated Dawn Mutchelknaus, VP of Marketing at Dakotaland Federal Credit Union.

Sponsors of the 2016 Dakota Star are Dakotaland Federal Credit Union and KTTW-FOX. Dakotaland Federal Credit Union has locations in Huron, Volga, Brookings, Madison, Redfield, DeSmet, Mitchell and Woonsocket. With 30,000 members and $280 million in assets, Dakotaland continues to be locally owned and operated offering a full-line of financial services to its membership since 1935.

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 http://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.