Aug. 28, 2025:
A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Open Class Sheep barn on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron will be held Thursday (Aug. 28, 2025) at 2pm.
The ceremony will take place in front of The SHED, which is located between the National Guard Armory and the 4-H Livestock Complex.
Along with housing the Open Class Sheep exhibits during the State Fair, The SHED will serve as a multi-use venue for livestock and equine events year-round. The facility features:
- A 1,320-square-foot indoor educational center focused on agriculture and the sheep industry;
- Capacity for 1,000 sheep;
- A 2,300-square-foot modern show arena complete with bleacher seating; and
- A 30-bay wash rack.
The educational center within The SHED is designed to provide an interactive experience that connects visitors to the history of the sheep industry and to South Dakota agriculture.
The public is invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony. State Fair gate admission is required.
For more information, visit www.sdstatefair.com own download the South Dakota State Fair mobile app.
The 2025 South Dakota State Fair runs through Monday (Sept. 1).
SEPTEMBER 6, 2024:
With the plan being for it to be open and ready to use for the 2025 South Dakota State Fair, the official groundbreaking for a new Open Class sheep barn and show ring was held during this year’s (2024) event in Huron.
Governor Kristi Noem remembers showing sheep as a kid…. and also the life lessons that come with it.
The estimated cost to build The SHED is $8 million, with $3 million of that coming from private donations. Helping to lead the fundraising effort are Rufus and Patty DeZeeuw, who raise sheep near Elkton, and also serve as the superintendent for the Open Class Sheep show. Rufus says it’ll be wonderful for the sheep shows to have a permanent facility again.
DeZeeuw says once built, The SHED will be a versatile facility.
Among the private donations received for the project is $700,000 from the South Dakota Farmers Union.
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources oversees the state fair and the state fairgrounds, so it will be responsible for maintaining the new building.
Open Class Sheep Show Superintendent and The SHED fundraising campaign member Rufus DeZeeuw.
Aug. 29, 2024.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.
Aug. 29, 2024.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
South Dakota Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Hunter Roberts.
Aug. 29, 2024.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
AUGUST 29, 2024:
The South Dakota State Fair will host a groundbreaking ceremony for The SHED today (Aug. 29, 2024), at 2:00 PM. The ceremony will occur near the 4-H Beef Exhibits Building on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds.
This project is a perfect example of what is so great about South Dakota,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “It took vision and support from the state, the local community, and stakeholders from across South Dakota to get this project to construction. The SHED will help the State Fair grow and will boost opportunities for our kids and grandkids to get involved in agriculture for years to come.”
The SHED will be the new home for Open Class Sheep during the annual State Fair and will serve as a multi-use facility for other livestock and equine events during the non-fair time and will foster further development and growth of our state’s future leaders in the agriculture industry. The facility, covered by an acre of rooftop, will include a show arena, space for up to 1,000 sheep, an educational center, bleachers, concrete flooring, and restrooms. The indoor educational center will provide a place for interactive learning about the sheep industry, opportunities in agriculture, and our state’s rich agricultural history.
The event is open to the public (state fair gate admission required).
AUGUST 22, 2024:
The South Dakota State Fair will host a groundbreaking ceremony for The SHED on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 2:00 PM. The ceremony will occur near the 4-H Beef Exhibits Building on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds.
This project is a perfect example of what is so great about South Dakota,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “It took vision and support from the state, the local community, and stakeholders from across South Dakota to get this project to construction. The SHED will help the State Fair grow and will boost opportunities for our kids and grandkids to get involved in agriculture for years to come.”
The SHED will be the new home for Open Class Sheep during the annual State Fair and will serve as a multi-use facility for other livestock and equine events during the non-fair time and will foster further development and growth of our state’s future leaders in the agriculture industry. The facility, covered by an acre of rooftop, will include a show arena, space for up to 1,000 sheep, an educational center, bleachers, concrete flooring, and restrooms. The indoor educational center will provide a place for interactive learning about the sheep industry, opportunities in agriculture, and our state’s rich agricultural history.
The event is open to the public (state fair gate admission required).
The 2024 South Dakota State Fair kicks off on Channel Seeds Opening Day, Wednesday, August 28, and runs through Monday, September 2. For more information on State Fair events, contact the Fair office at 800-529-0900, visit www.sdstatefair.com, or find them on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
APRIL 24, 2023:
The South Dakota Farmers Union has pledged $700,000 to the ‘Raise the SHED’ Fundraising Campaign to help fund The SHED. The SHED will be the new home for Open Class Sheep at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron and serve as a multi-purpose facility including a show arena and educational center. The indoor educational center will provide a place for interactive learning about the sheep industry, opportunities in agriculture, and our state’s rich agricultural history.
“We are a premiere sponsor of the State Fair because, to generations of South Dakota family farmers and ranchers, our South Dakota State Fair is a place to reconnect and learn from the ag community. Sponsoring the SHED is Farmers Union’s way of showing continued support for our State Fair and everything it means to South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers, today and into the future,” said Doug Sombke, President South Dakota Farmers Union.
The fundraising goal is $3 million. The total project cost is approximately $8 million.
“During the fair, The SHED will showcase the South Dakota sheep industry. Outside of the fair, The SHED will expand the versatility of the fairgrounds, and allow us to host national sheep shows and other activities,” said Larry Tidemann, The SHED fundraising committee chairman. “It’s a win-win situation that will benefit the sheep industry and South Dakota agriculture for years to come.”
The “Raise The SHED” campaign includes several donor opportunities for all donation levels including show arena naming rights, donor wall sponsorships, and a wool wall. For more information on how to donate visit: www.
The former Open Class Sheep Barn has been demolished, and project planning and design for The SHED is underway. A groundbreaking ceremony is expected to be held during the 2024 state fair.
For additional information about the project or questions about the ‘Raise The SHED’ campaign please contact Peggy Besch, South Dakota State Fairgrounds Manager at 605.353.7340 or peggy.besch@state.sd.us or Fundraising Campaign Chairman Larry Tidemann at 605.690.8353. A complete list of fundraising committee members and campaign information can be found at https://www.
OCTOBER 19, 2022:
The South Dakota State Fair Foundation unveiled The SHED and “Raise The SHED” fundraising campaign during the Open Class Sheep Show at the South Dakota State Fair. The “Raise The SHED” fundraising committee is excited to announce that sheep exhibitors pledged nearly $100,000 to the fundraising campaign to kick off this exciting opportunity to impact youth and the fair for generations.
“We are thrilled for the opportunities The SHED will bring for sheep producers. The SHED will provide a modern facility for sheep producers to showcase their industry,” said Rufus DeZeeuw, South Dakota State Fair Open Class Sheep Superintendent and The SHED fundraising committee member. “The campaign was announced during the sheep show at the fair and received a tremendous response. We are excited to watch this project take shape. I strongly encourage sheep producers to become part of the campaign!”
The SHED will be the new home for Open Class Sheep at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron and serve as a multi-purpose facility including a show arena, educational center, concrete flooring, and restrooms. The indoor educational center will provide a place for interactive learning, information on the sheep industry, opportunities in agriculture, and our state’s rich agricultural history.
The fundraising goal is $3 million. The total project cost is approximately $8 million.
“The SHED will showcase the South Dakota sheep industry, expand the versatility of the fairgrounds, and allow us to host national sheep shows and other livestock activities,” said Larry Tidemann, The SHED fundraising committee chairman. “It’s a win-win situation that will benefit the sheep industry and South Dakota agriculture for years to come.”
The “Raise The SHED” campaign includes several donor opportunities for all donation levels including show arena naming rights, donor wall sponsorships, and a wool wall. For more information on how to donate visit: www.
The former Open Class Sheep Barn has been demolished, and project planning and design for The SHED is underway. A groundbreaking ceremony is expected to be held during the 2023 state fair.
For additional information about the project or questions about the ‘Raise The SHED’ campaign please contact Peggy Besch, South Dakota State Fairgrounds Manager at 605.353.7340 or peggy.besch@state.sd.us or Fundraising Campaign Chairman Larry Tidemann at 605.690.8353. A complete list of fundraising committee members and campaign information can be found at www.sdstatefairfoundation.com.
SEPTEMBER 2022:
Engineer’s projection of the finished facility.
Courtesy image.
Engineer’s projection of the finished facility.
Courtesy image.
Engineer’s projection of the finished facility.
Courtesy image.
Engineer’s projection of the finished facility.
Courtesy image.
Engineer’s projection of the finished facility.
Courtesy image.
Engineer’s projection of the finished facility.
Courtesy image.
The South Dakota State Fair Foundation is excited to announce the ‘Raise The Shed’ fundraising campaign to help build The Shed. The building will be the new home for Open Class Sheep at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron and serve as a multi-purpose facility for other livestock and equine events outside of the fair.
The fundraising goal is $3 million.
“We have an opportunity to build a facility that will highlight the sheep industry and impact the fair for generations,” said Peggy Besch, State Fair Manager. “It is time for us to rally together and ‘Raise The Shed!”
The ‘Raise The Shed’ campaign includes several donor opportunities for all donation levels including show arena naming rights, donor wall sponsorships, and a wool wall. For more information on how to donate visit: www.
The planned, 40,000 square foot, multi-use facility will include a show arena, room for up to 1,000 head of sheep, an educational center, concrete flooring, and restrooms. The indoor educational center will provide a place for interactive learning, information on the sheep industry, opportunities in agriculture, and our state’s rich agricultural history.
The former Open Class Sheep Barn has been demolished and project planning and design for The Shed is underway. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held during the 2023 fair.
For additional information about the project or questions about the ‘Raise The Shed’ campaign please contact Peggy Besch, South Dakota State Fairgrounds Manager at 605.353.7340 or peggy.besch@state.sd.us or visit the www.sdstatefair.com.
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