HURON — The start of this year’s South Dakota State Fair is a week away and time is running out on being able to save some money. The State Fair offers several simple ways to save money on entry costs and the events you want to take in during the fair.

Save time and money at the admission gates by purchasing daily gate admission in advance. All daily gate admissions purchased on or before Wednesday, Aug. 28, are sold at a 20-percent discount. These are tickets can be taken directly to the scan and go lines at the admission gates so you can skip the lines.

Daily gate admission can be purchased online at www.sdstatefair.com, or at the State Fair Office located in the Nordby Exhibit Hall, on the fairgrounds

All admissions on Channel Seeds Opening Day are at the advanced rate.

Save on gate admission by purchasing your grandstand tickets on or before Tuesday, Aug. 27. Grandstand tickets purchased prior to the opening day of the fair include gate admission.

Grandstand tickets can be purchased by calling 866-605-3247, online at www.sdstatefair.com, or at the grandstand ticket office.

Gate admission is free after 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and after 3 p.m. on Monday.

On Thursday, Aug. 29, the State Fair will host a “Salute to Veterans” program on the Northwestern Energy Freedom Stage at 10:30 a.m., with keynotes speaker Colonel Stacy Kooistra.

All veterans and active military members receive free gate admission on Thursday.  4-H youth also receive free gate admission on Aug. 29 by showing their 4-H card, which can be obtained from county 4-H offices.

Coupons for $2 off gate admission on Friday, Aug. 30 are available at Olympic Motors on east Highway 14 in Huron. The Olympic Motors coupons are valid on Friday, Aug. 30 only.

Stock the Shelves on Monday, Sept. 2, by bringing a non-perishable item to any admission gate between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. for $2 off gate admission.

Pay It Forward Day is on Monday, Sept. 2. Businesses and organizations band together to sponsor gate admission passes for those in need and to randomly hand out at the gate admission entrances. Fairgoers attending the fair on Monday could be the lucky recipient of a ‘Pay It Forward’ pass.

There are plenty of ways to save money at the carnival throughout the week as well.

All rides on Wednesday, Aug. 28, are only $2 The Weekly Passport to Fun pass offers a carnival ride pass for all six days of the fair.

Advanced passes can also be purchased at Olympic Motors, while radio station Big Jim 93.3 and Taco Johns of Huron are offering a $3 off coupon for daily ride bands on Thursday, Friday, and Monday. Coupons can be picked up at Taco Johns.

The 2024 South Dakota State Fair runs Wednesday, Aug. 28, through Monday, Sept. 2. Channel Seeds Opening day is Wednesday, Aug. 28.

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.