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Arts Center

The 2023 Arts Center Book is available for download at the link below.

Arts Center Premium Book 2023

Arts Center Entry Form

Arts Center Volunteer Form

South Dakota State Fair County Best of Show Info

Arts Center Event Schedule

SOCIAL MEDIA

Sioux Empire Fair Arts Center Facebook page

CONTESTS

Entries are now open until the time of the event OR until contests are full! Entering online is the best way to make sure you secure a spot. Paper entries will be taken in the Arts Center during the fair (August 6th-12th) until the time of the event, UNLESS entries fill up!

2023 People's Choice Award

New Contest!

Adult division prize: $50 Natural Grocers Gift Card & $50 in Pizza Ranch vouchers
Junior division prize: $50 Natural Grocers Gift Card & $50 in Pizza Ranch vouchers

Who Participates:

PCA contestants will be chosen from the submitted exhibits in the Open Class portion of the Arts Center. NO NEED TO PREREGISTER.
PCA contestants are the runners-up to the Best of Show exhibit in each class and will be awarded Honorable Mention status.
Each Honorable Mention exhibit will automatically be entered in the PCA contest and given a PCA sign and number for fairgoers to use to vote online (or by paper) for their favorite exhibit in the PCA contest.

Where to Find the Exhibits:

The exhibits will be displayed among their class, so take a good look around the whole Arts Center before voting.

How to Vote:

All of the PCA signs will have a QR Code (for Google Account users) that will take you to a webpage where you can choose your favorite exhibit in both the Adult and Junior divisions.
If you do not have a Google Account, or are unable to use the QR Code to vote online, we will have a paper option available. See any staff member for details.

Voting Rules:

Each fairgoer may vote only once in each division, so bring your friends and family for extra votes.
Duplicate votes will be disqualified.
No soliciting votes from strangers.
On the last day of the fair, the votes will be tallied, and the exhibit with the most votes, in each division, will win.

The Winners:

The winners of each division will be announced on the Arts Center Facebook page, and awarded their prize on Release Day (August 13th).

Come help us choose a winner!

More information

Fonder Sewing Machine Company: Sewing & Embroidery Machine Give Away

Why enter: The drawing prize is a Brand NEW Brothers LB5000 Sewing & 4”x 4” Embroidery Machine.

Who may enter: Anyone who has an email address and has not already signed up for the Fonder Sewing Machine Company’s newsletter.

When to enter: Anytime between 10AM Saturday, August 5^th, and the drawing on Friday, August 12^th.

Where to enter: The Arts Center of the Sioux Empire Fair will display contest signs with the QR Code needed to sign up.

How to enter: Scan the special QR Code, which will take you to a newsletter sign up page. Enter your information and hit submit to sign up. This will automatically enter you in the drawing.

What if I can’t scan the QR Code: See any staff member to fill out a paper version that will be inputted for you.

More Information

ABC Rentals Special Events
Tablescape Contest

ABC Rentals Special Events
Tablescape Contest
August 2, 2023
10am-11:30am

Online Registration

More information

King Arthur Baking Co.
Baking Contest

King Arthur Baking Co.
Baking Contest
August 5, 2023
Submission Time: 10am-11:50pm

Online Registration

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Cooks & Bakers and Nordic Ware:
The Great Bundt Cake Bake Off
Cooks & Bakers and Nordic Ware's
The Great Bundt Cake Bake Off
August 6, 2023
Submission Time: 10am-12:50pm

Online Registration

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JJ’s & The Boozy Bakery: Charcuterie Board Contest

JJ’s & The Boozy Bakery:
Charcuterie Board Contest
August 7, 2023
Youth Contest (ages 10-20) @ 4:30PM
Adult Contest (ages 21+) @ 5:30PM

Online Registration

More information

First National Bank:
Paint-A-Piggy-Bank Contest

First National Bank:
Paint-A-Piggy-Bank Contest
August 8, 2023
10AM - 11:30AM

Online Registration

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Oh My Cupcakes! Youth Cupcake Decorating Contest

Oh My Cupcakes!
Youth Cupcake Decorating Contest
August 9, 2023
11AM

CONTEST IS FULL
If we have no-shows or cancellations, we will pull contestants from the audience to participate

More information

JLG Architects:
Youth ‘Building Block’ Contest

JLG Architects:
2023 Youth ‘Building Block’ Contest
August 11, 2023
Age Group (6-9) @ 11AM
Age Group (10-14) @ 11:45AM

Online Registration

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Taulelle Concessions: French Fry Stacking Contest

Taulelle Concessions:
French Fry Stacking Contest
Youth Contest (ages 8-15): August 11th, 2023 @ 2:30PM
Adult Contest (ages 16+): August 12th, 2023 @ 2:30PM

BOTH CONTESTS ARE FULL
If we have no-shows or cancellations, we will pull contestants from the audience to participate

More information

ARTS CENTER ACTIVITIES

Harold’s Photo Center Photography Tip Presentation

Sunday, August 6th 2023 @ 2:30PM

It is FREE and ALL ages are welcome to attend the presentation, held in the Arts Center, located in the NW corner of the Expo’s North Room.

NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Marty DeWitt, from Harold’s Photo Center, will be giving a free presentation on photography and how to improve your craft. Whether you are a novice, or a pro, Marty has helpful hints for everyone.

After the presentation, Photo Scavenger Hunt Lists will be handed out as a fun activity you can do at the fair. You’ll have a colorful and lively backdrop to practice your new tips. Have fun and don’t forget to tag the fair, Harold’s Photo Center, and the Arts Center as you share your photos with friends and family.

More information

NaGa Leather & Beads:
Hat Embellishment Event

Monday, August 7th, 2023
1:30-3:30PM
Ages 16 and up

BRING YOUR OWN HAT! We’ll take care of the rest!

Register today before the slots fill up.

Online Registration

More information

Active Hour! by Active Generations

Tuesday, August 8th, 2023
1-4PM

Come join us for ACTIVE HOUR!
It’s actually a few hours long, but who’s counting?

Active Generations will be sponsoring this fun event involving fun games and activities in the Arts Center. And you won’t want to miss the Line Dancing from 2PM-3PM!!

And be sure to enter the Multi Prize Drawing (drawing at 3:30PM). Prizes include gift cards/certificates from local businesses such as: Fryn’ Pan, The Keg, Perkins, Nothing Bundt Cake, Eileen’s Colossal Cookies, and The Original Pancake House. 11 Prizes in all!!!!

We will also have tables and chairs set up for board and card games. And we will also have activities like a Tabletop Treasure Hunt in Sand, Paper Airplane Test Flights, Cornhole/Bags, Big Ol’ Jenga, Tabletop Curling, Connect Four, Tic Tac Toe and more.

It'll be hot outside, so come enjoy the air conditioning and FREE ice water as you compete for bragging rights among your friends and family.

Thank you to Active Generations for sponsoring this event, and for all the hard work they do for our aging community. It is a blessing to have such a caring organization ‘ACTIVE’ly pursuing ways to enhance the lives of our golden GENERATIONS. Click their logo to visit their website to see all the amazing opportunities they provide. And keep an eye out for the opening of their NEW location on the Eastside.

More Information

85th Annual Sioux Empire Fair: Fun Fair Photo Contest

**This is a 2024 photo contest, but it requires action this year (2023)**

We are looking for your best photograph of the Sioux Empire Fair.

AMATEURS & PROFESSIONALS alike are welcome to take a shot at the grand prize, which happens to be worth a picture perfect $850. Yes, you read that right. $850.00

Submission details will be released closer to the contest.
But here’s what you need to know now:

1. Contestants may enter up to 3 photos.

2. The photos must have been taken within the last 2 years (2022 & 2023).

3. Photograph must be the original work of the contestant.

4. Photo may be digitally enhanced.

5. The burden of any “Model Release” needed is on the photographer and must be submitted with photo at time of entry. *Model Release Example Below* (Basically, if you take a photo of people who could be considered recognizable, consent would be needed from them for the photo to be available for commercial use.)

6. Contestant must be willing and able to grant the Sioux Empire Fair Association Inc. exclusive rights to the submitted photo.

7. To redeem the prize, the winning photo must be submitted digitally to the Sioux Empire Fair Association Inc. in a format described in the Submission rules yet to come.