County Fair kicks off with tradition, community spirit

The Moody County Fair may not feature the typical midway with rides, cotton candy, or chances to win a prize goldfish or stuffed animal, but what it offers each year is a true reflection of our rural communitys spirit and a reminder that youre invited to be part of this quintessential rural summer experience.
The fair kicks off Thursday, July 31 with a poultry and rabbit show in the afternoon, followed by the annual fair parade, pork loin feed, kids tractor pull, and City Band Concert in the evening.
Entries for the parade are still being accepted and encouraged. Lineup begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Moody County Museum grounds, with the route running through downtown to the fairgrounds. The 4-H members and open class exhibitors will showcase their non-living exhibits such as arts and crafts, sewing, photography and electrical items.
Organizers are hoping for a beautiful first night of the fair.
Friday continues with a dairy cattle show, exhibits in the community center, Ag Olympics, vendor booths, bounce houses, beanbag toss and dunk tank from 4-8 pm, and a concert by the band Jaded, from Watertown, from 7-10 p.m.
More agricultural shows and events will round out the morning on Saturday, bringing another year of celebrating community, tradition, and the hardworking families that make our rural area so special.
Its exciting for the kids to showcase the hard work and dedication theyve put into conditioning their animals, from those early mornings spent working with a steer or sheep to the strong bond theyve built with their animals. Being able to share that with the community, along with the support of family, friends, and neighbors, helps build character, confidence, and life skills that will serve them well in the future, said Whitney Sams, South Dakota State University Extension local 4-H Program Assistant.
Events wrap up just after noon on Saturday, August 2 at the fairgrounds.