Pay it Forward at the SD State Fair

CCS consumers get free SD State Fair Tickets.

HURON, S.D. –Monday, September 5 at the South Dakota State Fair will be Pay it Forward Day. The fair is teaming up with businesses and organizations that are generously banding together to sponsor gate admission passes for those in need and to randomly hand out at the gate admission entrances!

The Pay it Forward idea started when a Huron businessman came into the fair office and said he wasn’t able to do a big sponsorship for the fair, but what he could do is sponsor daily gate passes to distribute to those in need. He was certain that other businesses would be willing to do the same and either choose to distribute the passes to those in need or randomly at the State Fair admission gates.

“We are strong supporters of the SD State Fair,” said Robin Olson of R & L Sanitary. “We are not necessarily in a position to do a big sponsorship but still wanted to participate at some level. I approached the fair and asked how we could go about purchasing some tickets to distribute to the less fortunate and they were very receptive. While it may seem like a little thing, it has the potential to have a large impact.”

No matter what way they are distributed, there is no doubt it will bring a gigantic smile to someone’s face through such a simple gesture of paying it forward.

Fairgoers attending the fair on Monday, September 5 could be the lucky recipient of a ‘Pay it Forward’ pass as they enter the gates. Other Pay it Forward activities include:

• Pay it forward to the food pantry by bringing a non-perishable food item for the ‘Drive to End Hunger” between the hours of 7 am and 10 am and receive $2 off gate admission.
• Monster truck fans, pay it forward and have a ‘souper’ good time by bringing a can of soup to the grandstand between 9:30 am and 11:30 am and receive a free ride on the “Twisted Steel” monster truck!If you are interested in participating in Pay it Forward Day or would like more information, please contact the State Fair Office at (605) 353-7340.The State Fair Office is working with United Way Heartland Region to distribute the tickets to those in need.The 2016 SD State Fair will run from Thursday, Sept. 1, through Monday, Sept. 5. Channel Seeds Preview night will be Wednesday, Aug. 31. This year’s theme is “Thrills, Squeals and Ferris Wheels.” For more information on State Fair events, contact the Fair office at 800-529-0900, visit www.sdstatefair.com or find them on Facebook or Twitter.Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.