Ron Miles named as Butte Lawrence County Fair Honoree

NISLAND, S.D. – The 105th Butte Lawrence County Fair opens with horse shows and continues through Saturday, August 1, 2026 at the historic fairgrounds.

A sampling of some of the week-long activities are 4-H, FFA and open livestock exhibits and non-livestock entries, movie at the Pavilion, a fishing tournament, turtle races and pig wrestling.

Thurs., July 30 there is a talent and fashion show, an antique car display, the NFR Ranch Rodeo and a free barbeque.  The popular livestock sale and buyer appreciation supper takes place and on Friday, July 31. The always popular youth rodeo gets underway at 9am on Sat., Aug. 1.

According to Chad Mackaben, president of the Fairboard, both livestock entries and static exhibits are up for this year’s fair.

“In the last nine years, we’ve doubled in size and entries,” he said.  “We’ve added a lot of great things like the ‘Catch-a-Sheep Contest’ that keeps the sheep show going.  ‘Heifers for 4-H’ is designed to keep the beef numbers up. This year, there’s just over 900 animals entered in the Butte Lawrence County Fair and that doesn’t include all the static project exhibits.”

Mackaben, who grew up south of Union Center, South Dakota and spent his growing up years showing at the Meade County Fair that just concluded, now sees his children spending their growing up years participating in the Butte Lawrence County Fair.

“I think the most important this is heritage and the work ethic you get to teach your kids.  There’s a lot of work that goes into what these kids do.”  He added, “One of the nicest things about the fair is the setting. It’s down on the river. You can bring your kids and let ‘em go on Monday and pick them up on Friday – they’ll still be there, having fun.”

Everything from a fishing derby to pig wrestling to ranch rodeo and a youth rodeo, the Butte Lawrence County Fair offers something for everyone, says Mackaben.

“Over the years, we’ve added a fishing tournament, pig wrestling, a free barbeque, bouncy houses for the little kids, all kinds of events for kids who aren’t in 4-H to make sure they want to come back.”

Mackaben credits a long roster of volunteers and sponsors who are an important part in keeping the fair going.

Other volunteers include community members. This years Fair Honoree is Ron Miles who grew up in Faith, South Dakota, before settling in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. He retired from the Bentonite plant and also worked as a reserve officer for the Belle Fourche Police Department. Even after serving with the reserves for over 30 years, Ron’s dedication to his community hasn’t waned; he continues to work at the Butte-Lawrence County Fair every summer. He has been a staple at the fair longer than most people can remember, and it’s still the highlight of his year.

Admission is free to the Butte Lawrence County Fair that runs through Saturday, August 1. There is musical entertainment throughout the six-day event. For a complete list of events, see the Fair Book and Facebook