RAPID CITY, S.D. – Get ready, Black Hills, the Central States Fair kicks off Friday and will draw thousands of people to the Rapid City fairgrounds for a week of rodeo, fireworks, concerts, ag exhibits, and carnival fun.

The Central States Fair is the second largest event in Western South Dakota after the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. During the 2026 event’s Aug. 21 to Aug. 29 run dates, it’s estimated that more than 140,000 people walk through the gates.

Ron Jeffries, General Manager of the Central States Fair and Black Hills Stock Show, has run the Central States Fair since 1997.

“Every single day is full of something wonderful and fun to do,” Jeffries said. “And we try to plan that fair out, so you have something new each day.”

Plenty to do

This year’s lineup includes arenacross racing, the demolition derby, three nights of PRCA Range Days Rodeo, the Xtreme Broncs event, and three nights of concerts closing out the fair. Jo Dee Messina plays Aug. 27, Billy Currington Aug. 28 and Gary Allan Aug. 29.

“This is the most affordable vacation you can ever take,” Jeffries said – highlighting the different experiences each day. “Because you’re right here in the area… if you’re from the area you can go home at night.”

The Carnival Americana rides and vendors are available daily, there are activities for kids, ag events and education, open class exhibits with quilts, leather works, China works, and more.

Fireworks will also be part of the activities as part of the Wednesday night Xtreme Broncs event.

“Kids make tons of memories here,” Jeffries said. “It’s creating a lasting impression about the time that they came… it’s great family time together.”

Impacting the Community

While the Central States Fair draws about 140,000 or more people to the grounds, the fairgrounds are busy year-round. Jeffries said the fairgrounds hosted 786 other events last year, everything from horse shows and indoor motorcycle racing to weddings, proms, auctions and funerals creating an annual impact to the area upwards of $70 million.

At the Central States Fair, you can see the impact real time as multi-day events fill hotel rooms and fairgrounds’ visitors behave differently from the typical Black Hills tourist often stocking up on supplies while here and taking care of repairs that they can’t take care of in some rural areas.

“Where we differ from a tourist type attraction is, a lot of our clientele, fills up the trailer with goods before they go home,” Jeffries said.

Let’s celebrate a birthday

This year, Jeffries said there will be several birthdays to celebrate during the Fair.

The nation’s 250^th and Rapid City’s 150^th will get recognition as part of the Wednesday night fireworks. Anheuser-Busch is also showing its age at 150 years. That birthday, Jeffries said, will include a visit from the famous Clydesdales during the later part of the week.

And then there’s the Tilt-A-Whirl – the iconic Tilt-A-Whirl is indeed celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Invented by Herbert Sellner in Faribault, Minnesota, the classic spinning ride was first sketched out and patented in 1926 before making its public debut at the Minnesota State Fair that September.

“Carnival Americana went out and got a Tilt-A-Whirl here,” Jeffries said. “Super cool ride and we’re celebrating the hundredth birthday of the Tilt-A-Whirl at this year’s carnival.”

Get there

The Central States Fair officially kicks off at 3 p.m. Friday with the ribbon cutting. Prior to that, Big D Mega passes and Big D Super passes are available at Big D stores but stop being sold once the carnival begins.

General passes are available at centralstatesfairinc.com, the Central States Fair office, and Runnings.