BELLE FOURCHE—Ag Day may have agriculture at its core, but you didn’t have to be in the industry to find something fun to enjoy at the event. The second annual Ag Day, held Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Belle Fourche Roundup Grounds, offered something for everyone, whether they worked in agriculture or simply wanted to enjoy an afternoon of activities.
The Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce designed the event with the agriculture industry at its heart, providing vendors, education and resources for those in the industry while mixing in family-friendly activities for the broader community.
The desire to highlight the people and businesses who support the ag industry was reflected in the variety of activities that were scheduled throughout the day. There were rows of vendors lined up around the Roundup Grounds that provided everything from demonstrations to educational materials to shopping opportunities.
A vendor card gave attendees a chance to interact with all of the vendors and potentially win prizes. After picking up a vendor card at the check-in table, eventgoers had to stop and visit each booth and get a mark on their card from the vendor. After all of the vendor booths had been visited, the card was returned to the check-in area to be entered in a grand prize drawing. The prize had a value of $150 and included three $50 gift cards to Integrity Meats, Leuders Grocery and Stadium Sports Grill.
The Kid’s Zone was a popular place for the younger crowd to hang out. Highmark Credit Union buried $300 in coins for the little ones to find as they dug in the sand pile. Wandering Wolf Ranch brought tiny goats to pet and hold. Belle Fourche Livestock brought a cattle pot and truck for kids to explore and Dinosaurs of the Hell Creek Museum had displays and activities for the kids to interact with as well. Tractors were on display throughout the day.
Beginning at 3 p.m., seven teams signed up to participate in Ag Olympics. The fun competition was open to all ages and put participants through three challenges. Each team was made up of three members.
The first person had to run stick horse barrels and tag the second person, who had to toss three straw bales. After the second person tagged the last person on the team, the third member had to climb into a tank and find 12 puzzle pieces buried in sawdust, and then put the puzzle together to stop the clock.
The winning team was The Girls and they received $100 in prizes—a $50 gift card to Runnings and a $50 gift card to Sunny’s Gas Station—not bad for three minutes and 20 seconds worth of work!
Back for a second year was the mullet contest. Once again, the winner was last year’s champion Charles Turner, who had the full-on party in the back and business in the front hairstyle going on. He shared that he recently got his hair trimmed for his wedding, so it wasn’t as long as it usually is. He took home $100 worth of prizes sponsored by Mikayla Boswell and Beards and Shears.
A host of speakers spent about 20 minutes each sharing information in their areas of expertise. Presentations were given regarding Estate Planning by McLean Thompson Kerver from Lynn Jackson Attorneys; Program Services and Advocacy by Kelly Turman with Artemis House; Program Resources by Janet Moore with South Dakota Soil Health Coalition and 2027 Master Gardener Event by Mark Herreid with Northern Hills Master Gardeners.
You’nique Brew food truck kept everyone fed throughout the day. Brain Freeze, Crazee Cow Ice Cream and Kernels and Kandies provided the sweet treats.
A special contest going on throughout the day challenged attendees to help the hen who had lost all of her eggs find them. Easter eggs were hidden around the Roundup Grounds and when they were found, a prize was given in exchange for returning the egg to the check-in table. This contest was available to all ages.
For Belle Fourche, agriculture is an important part of the economy. Ag Day provided a glimpse into the people, businesses, equipment and resources that make up so much of the industry in our area.
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