If you want to see the real South Dakota, and the argicultural heritage of the state, you'll definitely want to check out a farm show.  Livestock showing and judging, horse and pony pulls, equipment and other agricultural exhibits will give you the flavor of what South Dakota farms and farmers are all about.

Each farm show has its own flavor, but there are a few elements that are common across farm shows.  Livestock, including swine, lambs, and cattle, are usually shown and judged.  Agricultural equipment like tractors, combines, and other implements are also on display at a farm show.  In addition to the common, some not so common events are also found at a farm show.  Mitchell's DakotaFest farm show features a bull bash and a children's pedal pull, while Sioux Falls' Sioux Empire Fair features a draft horse show and a youth rabbit showing.

In addition to livestock and equipment, farm show visitors won't want to miss some local eats.  You can bet that a farm show featuring prize-winning livestock knows how to cook up a mouth-watering meal!

Three of the state's largest farm shows are the Sioux Empire Farm Show in Sioux Falls, the Dakota Farm Show in Vermillion, and DakotaFest in Mitchell.