MISSION STATEMENT:
"We showcase agriculture, tourism, and our community."
Central States Fair, Inc. is a non-profit, member-driven organization that produces the Central States Fair and Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo® annually, along with managing the Central States Fairgrounds through a partnership with Pennington County.
Central States Fair, Inc. is governed by a 14-member volunteer Board of Directors. Directors serve four-year terms and are elected by the fair membership at the annual meeting held each year in March.
The annual Central States Fair in August allows Rapid City residents and surrounding communities to enjoy and participate in fair activities including: carnival entertainment on the free stage; a variety of home arts, crafts, hobbies, gardening, woodcarving, culinary and so much more in the open class competitions; cattle shows; and multiple horse events. The Central States Fair also offers nine nights of grandstand entertainment from concerts to PRCA Range Days Rodeo, and the X-Broncs finals! In addition, the Central States Fairgrounds is utilized more than 350 days per year!
The Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo® is the second largest event in the state of South Dakota following the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. An estimated 331,000 people attend the western festival that features 120 different livestock, horse and rodeo events along with over 300 vendors to shop from. Our little Midwestern City becomes a slice of the Old West when cowboys and ranchers come to town to compete in ten different breeds of cattle shows, ranch rodeos and 14 different horse events. There is something for everyone, including concerts, and beer festival.
Whether it’s competing in the AQHA Horse Show, riding a wild bronc, or showcasing prized livestock, the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo® encourages you to “Do Big Things” in Rapid City. In 2012, an economic impact study indicated that Black Hills Stock Show ® has an economic Impact of $21.9 Million dollars, with a direct economic impact of $15.2 million.
As a non-profit organization in Rapid City, Central States Fair, Inc. supports other community organizations and groups such as the South Dakota National Guard, Western Junior Livestock Show, the Rapid City Police Department, Pennington County 4-H and so many others. Central States Fair, Inc. donates more than $120,000 in goods and services to other community organizations.