BELLE FOURCHE—A day full of activities and events all centered around educating, enjoying and celebrating the Ag Industry, was held on Saturday, September 27 at the Roundup Rodeo Arena.
The Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce planned and carried out the first ever Ag Day event sponsored by Wolff’s Plumbing and Heating.
Packed with activities for children including an entire Kid Zone set up in the main arena of the Roundup Grounds, that had a variety of different games including stick horse races. Sand was hauled in to create a very popular sand mound for the kids to play on and Wandering Wolf Ranch brought tiny goats for cuddling. “The kids zone has been very busy. That’s been our busiest section all day,” explained Michaela Horn, Chamber Director.
Another popular attraction for the kids and adults alike was the display of large trucks and tractors provided by the following vendors: Grossenburg Implement brought a mini excavator for a tire moving activity, a small tractor with a backhoe for kids to move dirt and tractors for kids to climb on and get their pictures taken; SC Underground brought in equipment; 3J Towing brought a tow truck; Belle Fourche Fire Department and Ambulance Services were on hand to answer questions and show off their big rigs and Belle Fourche Livestock brought a cattle pot and truck.
Wolff’s Plumbing & Heating had a Plumber’s Plinko game and provided prizes to the winners and Dinosaurs of the Hell Creek Museum had displays and activities for the kids as well.
Horn was pleased with the turnout for the first ever Ag Day and explained it was competing with many different events in the area. But the offerings were plentiful by the vendors that were present. “We have a lot of vendors—we have educational vendors for anyone who works in the Ag industry or anyone that is in education for the Ag industry. And then we have shopping vendors, and we had some guest speakers earlier this morning, and food trucks!”
One of the fun competitions held during the day was the Mullet Contest in the main arena. Three amazing mullets were entered and the crowd picked their favorite by a round of applause. In the end, Charles Turner had the best mullet of the day and won a basket full of prizes from Mikayla Boswell of Beards and Shears.
An array of speakers kept the crowd informed about many different topics. The list of speakers included: Larry Schmaltz, Ports to Plains; Justin Tupper, 2026 Auctioneer Competition; Grossenburg, Lynn Jackson Attorneys and SD Specialty Producers.
For anyone that was hungry during the Ag Day event, there were lots of food trucks on hand, You’nique Brew, Rollin in the Hills, Snodak Shaved Ice and Happy Camper provided choices for food. Outlaw Bar hosted a beer garden.
An assortment of vendors provided shopping and educational information to those who stopped by. A local resident, Bill Hennessey was so excited with his find of Fire-Roasted Habanero Hot Sauce at the Tastefully Simple display that after he paid for it, he twisted off the lid and took a big swig of the heated sauce and said, “I like that hot sauce! You always buy it and then you wonder what it tastes like—this is good!”
As for if this event, Ag Day, will become an annual event, that has yet to be decided. “We will decide early in October if we’re a go to do this next year, and then, as soon as we know, we’ll start planning,” said Horn. “Keep us in mind for next year—as soon as we have a date, we will post it early so everyone can get it on their calendar!”
The Ag Day event wouldn’t be possible without sponsors who helped create a fantastic event and Horn wants to make sure they are acknowledged and thanked. This year’s sponsors are Wolff’s Plumbing and Heating, Dakota Mill and Grain, Steffes Auctioneers, New Generation Supplements, 605 Media and Entertainment, Highmark Credit Union, Grossenburg Implement, Monument Health and Falina Selchert Real Estate Advisor. Horn added, “We can just hopefully get bigger and better!”
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