The opening day of the 2007 South Dakota State Fair has been designated Veterans Day.

Beadle County Veterans service office Ken Lindblad reminds all veterans the day has been set aside to honor all of America’s veterans at a special “Salute to Veterans” program at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Freedom Stage.

Lindblad said although there are no special passes being distributed, veterans will receive free admission to the fair on Thursday.

For individuals with limited mobility, golf carts sponsored by the Huron American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Huron Regional Medical Center will be available all five days of the fair to transport them from the gate to their destination.

Volunteer drivers will be provided by the VFW and American Legion and their auxiliaries.

The fair runs through Monday.

Value-Added Ag Day

to be celebrated



South Dakotans will celebrate Value-Added Ag Day at the State Fair on Thursday.

The full day of activities — planned by the South Dakota Value-Added Ag Development Center, Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the state Department of Agriculture — include wine tasting, a biotech forum, beading demonstration, specialty food demonstrations, retail shopping and the second annual Taste the Flavor of South Dakota Chef’s competition.

“This is an excellent venue for us to promote South Dakota Certified Beef and our Made in South Dakota program,” said Richard Benda, secretary of the state Department of Tourism and State Development.

He said 38 vendors will showcase and sell their products. Twelve will also sell their products on www.madeinsouthdakota.com.

A wine pavilion, sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, will highlight seven of the more than 12 wineries in South Dakota.

Fair visitors will be able to sample premier South Dakota wines and purchase them by the glass. Except for Sunday, they can purchase a bottle of wine.

A biotech forum will be sponsored by the South Dakota Value-Added Ag Development Center.

“Biotech is really the next generation of ag in South Dakota,” said Cheri Rath, executive director of the center. “It’s imperative that we stay on the cutting edge of this industry.”

Venues for the events include the Dakota Marketplace, Heartland Building, Women’s Building, Value-Added Ag Specialty Tent or on the Freedom Stage.

The second annual Taste the Flavor of South Dakota Chef’s competition and demonstration will take place at the Women’s Building at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. It will bring together some of the state’s top chefs and specialty producers to create innovative cuisine from unique South Dakota produce.

The audience will witness the culinary wizardry of South Dakota’s award-winning chefs and then taste the results. The audience will also be able to vote for their favorite dish.

Winners will receive prize money of $300, $200 and $100, along with an engraved plaque. Others will receive a framed certificate.



Fair to feature cancer awareness booth



A Cancer Awareness and Prevention booth and a mammogram van will be at the South Dakota State Fair, according to Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D.

Johnson and his wife, Barbara, have spearheaded efforts to educate fair visitors about the risks of cancer and have encouraged screenings at the fair since 2000.

“As a cancer survivor, I have personally learned the importance of finding cancer early,” he said.

He received successful treatment after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“Unfortunately, Barbara and I cannot make it to the fair this year, but I hope that fairgoers will visit the mammogram van and prevention booth to learn more about cancer, prevention and early detection,” he said.

Sponsored by Avera McKennan Hospital, the mammogram van will be at the State Fair on Friday. The Cancer Awareness and Prevention booth, cosponsored by the Cancer Research Foundation, Huron Regional Medical Center and General Electric, will be open all five days of the fair.

“Managing cancer begins with early detection, especially breast cancer and prostate cancer,” Barbara Johnson said. She is a two-time breast cancer survivor.

Free screenings for prostate cancer will be available at the booth. Heath-care professionals from HRMC will conduct prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. The PSA test is a simple blood test that is used to test men for prostate cancer.

On Friday, Avera McKennan will sponsor free mammograms to screen for breast cancer. Individuals, especially those without health insurance coverage or with high deductibles, are encouraged to sign up early for mammogram appointments.

They can also call Jonhson’s toll-free office line, 1-800-537-0025, to schedule an appointment.