By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise
It is hard to believe summer is already beginning to wind down, but plenty of annual festivities remain — including one that traditionally helps close out July in Moody County.
The 2026 Moody County Fair runs Thursday, July 30, through Saturday, Aug. 1, with livestock shows, exhibits, food and activities for the entire community.
While exhibits and shows will be underway throughout the day Thursday, the fair kicks into high gear that evening. The annual fair parade begins at 6 p.m., with participants lining up near the Moody County Museum at 5:30 p.m.
Theme for the parade and fair is “Stars and Stripes and County Fair Nights.”
Following the parade, a community pork loin dinner will be served west of the grandstand from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The evening will also include a performance by the Flandreau City Band at 7 p.m., a kids tractor pull and an opportunity to visit the exhibit building and livestock barns. The 4-H food stand will also be open.
The fair each year offers a chance for the general public to see the projects local 4-H members, along with some community members, have worked on throughout the year. The pie contest and other local art and photography competitions are some of the local favorites to check out. Thursday’s schedule includes poultry and rabbit shows, while Friday features dairy cattle, meat goats and sheep, followed by the 4-H Ag Olympics.
Additional family activities are planned from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday. Friday Funday will include vendors, bounce houses, a dunk tank and beanbags. Jaded Band is scheduled to perform from 6 to 9 p.m.
The fair wraps up Saturday with swine and beef shows, a small animal pet show and the 4-H Round Robin. The exhibit building opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 11 a.m. The livestock barns close at 2 p.m.
The forecast currently includes a chance of thunderstorms both Thursday and Friday. If weather forces any changes, contingency plans will be communicated through the SDSU Extension Moody County 4-H Facebook page along with other local outlets.
All shows and exhibits are open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to come out, support local youth and enjoy another year at the Moody County Fair.