By Dave Baumeister, County Correspondent
SIOUX FALLS – The 81st Sioux Empire Fair began last Saturday, Aug. 1, with most of the mainly outdoor events being greatly spread out.
At the Tuesday, July 28 Minnehaha County Commission meeting, fair director Scott Wick told commissioners about those changes and others they would see when the fair started last Saturday.
The main change fair-goers will notice is how the carnival midway is spread out.
With only one-third of its usual rides and concessions as in the past, and the same amount of room on the fairgrounds from the west side to the grandstand, there is quite a bit of extra space for people to line up and “social distance” while waiting.
And while no one has to look too hard to find a footlong corndog on a stick, or other “fair fare,” the number of vendors at the fair is down slightly.
Wick said that some of the older vendors who only operate a single booth decided to stay home for safety reasons.
Is this a Mountain Goat? Well, if it is, it has found that it is not hard to climb a tortoise in the “kid’s zone,” or free petting zoo. Several child-friendly activities have been added in the area where the rotting Bridlewood Barn was recently demolished. (Photo by Dave Baumeister)
He also talked about other protective measures in place, including one million doses of hand sanitizer for the eight-day event.
There are 80 hand sanitizer dispensers located around the grounds with twice as many hand-washing stations as in previous years.
Overall, Wick said they are expecting the fair to be at around 80% of what they would usually have, and the most conspicuous absence is all of the 4-H exhibits, as their national organization is prohibiting participation.
However, Wick said that entries in open-class shows have increased this year.
There will be no horse shows inside the Expo Building, due to concerns from the judges.
And while there was a short burst of rain during the early afternoon of opening day, going by the extended forecast, Wick said the weather is looking positive, and he is planning on a good – even if slightly different – fair week.
Riding the Cliff Hanger is, no doubt, plenty scary in itself, but when the rain from last Saturday afternoon was added, it was probably even more unnerving for these brave thrill-seekers. (Photo by Dave Baumeister)
Commissioner Cindy Heiberger said she was excited for the fair.
“People are looking for something to do, and they feel safer being outside.”
The Sioux Empire Fair runs through this Saturday evening. The full schedule of entertainment can be found at www.siouxempirefair.com
2021 budget
In other business at the July 28 meeting, as per state law, this week, commissioners approved their provisional 2021 budget of just under $115 million.
Commission Administrator Carol Muller repeated what she said at the last meeting, that the provisional budget does not call for any more money to be spent from the opt-out approved last year.
At that time, they opted out for $6.5 million, which could be used over the next 25 years.
Last year they needed $1.9 million to balance the budget, but by not using additional money on the 2021 budget, taxpayers will not see an increase in their property taxes, Muller said.
Figured into the provisional budget is also a potential increase of 15% for health insurance, a 2% raise for all non-elected personnel, two new employees in the sheriff’s department, and two new employees with the public defender’s office.
The Minnehaha Commission has its regular meetings each Tuesday at 9 a.m. on the second floor of the county administration building at 6th and Minnesota in Sioux Falls.
These meetings are open to all, and public comment is always encouraged.
