SD State Fair Expects To Boost Some Budget Areas

HURON, SD - The manager of the South Dakota State Fair says he expects the annual event to be able to boost some budget areas this year, particularly in entertainment, marketing and equipment rental.

Jerome Hertel says that years of increasing attendance and upward revenue are giving the fair confidence as it prepares for this summer. He says the fair will be in the black as of the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

The state fair has seen its state appropriation drop in previous years, but Hertel expects lawmakers to stabilize funding at the $268,000 received last year.

Offseason events account for 25 percent of the fair's revenue. Hertel says the Wally Byum International Airstream Caravan will bring about 500 of the rounded, silver campers to the fairgrounds.