The annual Clay County Fair kicks off Tuesday, August 9, and will run through Saturday, August 13, in Vermillion. Favorite events, including the demolition derby, a street dance, ATV races, and the kids’ pedal pull, are back this year alongside a few new offerings.
Of course, for 4-Hers and those competing in Open Class categories, beyond the fun activities of the fair, the whole point is to show and demonstrate the hard work they’ve done throughout the year raising animals, making crafts, perfecting foods, and other things. Open Class entries (any Clay County resident may enter these categories) will be accepted from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9, and judged that evening with entries for 4-H non-livestock categories accepted and judged on Wednesday, August 10, from 5-7 p.m.
Those submitting entries will be hoping for a purple ribbon. At the fair, each participant and class is judged against a set of standards, but not against each other, so all can earn the top prize – purple – in a category if they work hard enough.
“Purple signifies excellent standards, Blue is great with some improvements that can be made, Red is average, and White signifies that several improvements can be made to meet expectations,” said Lauren Hollenbeck, 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Clay, Union, and Yankton counties.
Fairgoers are encouraged to browse 4-H and Open Class entries on display in the 4-H Building to see what level ribbon projects were awarded.
4-H youth will have their livestock judged during shows held throughout the fair. These shows can be fun to watch and learn from, says Hollenbeck, even if a person isn’t participating in the event.
On Thursday, catch the 4-H Companion Animal show at 1 p.m. featuring cats, dogs, and other companions that youth are raising. At 3 p.m. the 4-H Rabbit Show will take to the arena. On Friday, August 12, the 4-H Sheep and Goat Show will take place at 9:30 a.m. with Poultry in the arena at 1 p.m.
Of course, the most popular category, the beef show, takes place on the biggest day of the fair – Saturday – at 9 a.m. Other fun competitions to watch on Saturday include the 4-H Round Robin Contest at 1 p.m., the 4-H Fashion Revue at 2 p.m., and the Open Class Fruit Pie, Decorated Cake, and Cookie Contest. Entries for the Open Class pie, cake, and cookie contest will be accepted from 12 to 1 p.m. on Saturday with the items on display until the pie and chainsaw art auction at 5 p.m.
Beyond the 4-H shows, there will be something for everyone to do or see at the fair. Highlights of the fair on Thursday include vendor booths from 1 to 8 p.m., inflatables for kids from noon until 10 p.m., honey bee and health demonstrations in the afternoon, a robotics challenge from 1 until 8 p.m., and the Clay County Fair Princess Pageant at 2 p.m.
The pageant will feature seven- to 13-year-olds competing for the titles of Clay County Fair Junior Princess and Princess. The event will feature interviews, a talent competition, and more, all on the main stage at the fair. Those crowned Clay County Fair Junior Princess and Princess will reign throughout the fair.
A free community barbeque will be held Thursday at 5:30 p.m. More than 1,000 people are expected to attend this event, based on years past, so expect to wait in line for a little bit. At 6 p.m., don’t miss the kids pedal pull competition (sign up at 5:30 p.m.). Finally, a cornhole tournament and water wars will cap off Thursday evening at the Clay County Fair.
Friday, vendors, inflatables, and demonstrations are back alongside musical entertainment on the stage. The Elaine Peacock Band will play from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. with Bluff Ridge entertaining the crowd from 4 until 7 p.m. That evening, The BS Band, featuring Irene resident Brian Spurrell, will offer a street dance from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. on High Street.
Other offerings throughout Friday include chainsaw carving from 4 until 8 p.m., and the Vermillion Area Farmers’ Market’s “Local Fare at the Fair” event from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Come to taste a variety of great foods grown and made by area residents and to celebrate the Vermillion Farmers’ Market, one of the leading markets in South Dakota (and one of the very few year-round markets) that has been in operation for more than 25 years. Friday is Egg Safety and Education Day at the fair, so look for special demonstrations and displays about that.
Friday night, you’ll certainly laugh at the Barnyard Olympics, which starts at 5:30 p.m., right after the ice cream social at 5 p.m. Stick around for the ATV Mud Drags at 7 p.m. that will feature local contestants ages 12 and up. For more information on how to register for the ATV races, visit claycountyfair.net.
“The ATV races were new last year and people liked them,” said Missy O’Connor, fair manager. “We are hoping that the ATV event will be one of our bigger events this year.”
Saturday, the fair schedule is chock full of things to do, including vendors, demonstrations, inflatables, and other activities. One highlight on Saturday is a Car, Truck, and Tractor Show and Shine from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Live music on Saturday includes Casey Thomas Acoustics from noon until 2 p.m., and Billy Lurken from 4 until 7 p.m.
One new event aimed at children and youth that is sure to be a hoot will be the Critter Calling event at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Area residents are invited to sign up and test your calling skills in the following categories: birds/waterfowl, big game, barnyard, and other. Age groups will include Under 6, ages 7-12, ages 13-17, and ages 18 plus.
“I think the Critter Calling should be very entertaining,” said O’Connor. “Watching the young people in particular will be lots of fun!”
After the calling contest, don’t miss the Vermillion Area Farmers Market Salsa (not the dance – the food!) competition. This tasty event happens from 3 until 5 p.m. Then, cool down at the Watermelon Feed from 6 to 7 p.m. before the most popular event of the fair takes place, the Demolition Derby, which crashes into the arena at 7 p.m.
“The Demolition Derby is always fun and it’s always our biggest event,” said O’Connor.
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