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Organizer says this year's Central States Fair should be 'huge'
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RAPID CITY - The 2007 Central States Fair begins its 10-day slate of festivities with a truck and tractor pull main event Friday and a demolition derby, always a crowd favorite, on Saturday night.
"It should be huge," said Ron Jeffries, Central States Fair general manager. "It should really be a great run. We're expecting the weather to be nice."
The fair is scheduled from Friday, Aug. 17 through Sunday, Aug. 26 at Central States Fairgrounds.
Jeffries said workers have been "sprucing like crazy" the past couple of weeks, mowing, raking, planting flowers, cleaning and getting the stages and buildings ready to go.
"I had three guys who did nothing but mow today. They just mowed nonstop," he said Saturday afternoon.
Main stage entertainment this year includes the likes of Collin Raye and Joe Diffie, Neal McCoy, Taylor Swift and Trent Tomlinson, as well as Craig Morgan, Bomshel and Joe Nichols.
But the free stage entertainment is no slouch, either.
"We really went all out on our free stage entertainment this year. We brought in a lot of national acts, everything from South Dakota National Guard band to the Doo Wah Riders," Jeffries said. "One that's hit and miss is we've booked Terry Fator, the guy who's on America's Got Talent."
Called the Human Jukebox, Fator is an impersonator/ventriloquist/comedian/singer who has been appearing on the NBC television show this summer. Jeffries said if Fator doesn't make the finals of the show on Aug. 14, he will appear at the Central States Fair. But if he does make the finals, he won't be able to come.
"We'll see what happens," he said.
Other free events include a juggler, a clown who traveled with Patch Adams, magicians and a week-long pig wrestling competition with $1,000 going to the winner's favorite charity.
"It's a great fundraiser. They'll also have a prize for best costume," Jeffries said. "We've had prom dresses, we've had hillbillies, construction workers, all kinds of stuff."
Four teams will compete each evening Monday through Thursday, with the nightly winners advancing to the finals on Friday. Wrestling starts at 6 p.m. each night.
Other attractions include the Todd Armstrong Carnival and Midway, which returns this year with four new rides; Chris Wright, an Elvis tribute artist; Brandon Cash, a Johnny Cash tribute artist; and two different reptile shows, one that features a 12-foot King Cobra, the longest in the United States.
Jeffries said there's something for everyone at the fair.
"We really did go across the board on it," he said. "We'll still have horse shows, cattle shows. And I will tell you that I think this is Rapid City's best rodeo. Burch Rodeos is bringing all their 'A' stock. They've been in the top three contractors for several years."
Three nights of rodeo are scheduled Aug. 23-25.
General admission passes costs $60 for all grandstand events, $85 for premier admission and $125 for VIP admission. Tickets to individual concerts cost $32.
General admission gets visitors inside the fairgrounds and regular admission to all the grandstand events and concerts. Premier admission gets visitors parking at the fairgrounds, admission to the fair and premium seating close to the concerts and events. VIP admission includes parking, admission to the fair, the closest seating available to all grandstand events and even backstage access after all the concerts.
Contact Scott Aust at 394-8415 or scott.aust@rapidcityjournal.com
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