About the Show
Since 1954, the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce has been sponsoring one of the best livestock shows in the upper Midwest. Over the years, the Show has grown to include the best market and purebred livestock from across the country, as well as the latest in agricultural commercial exhibits.
Sioux Falls rolls out the red carpet to welcome visitors throughout the week. The annual Sioux Empire Livestock Show is a great way for South Dakota’s largest city to recognize the impact that agriculture continues to have in our community.
The Sioux Empire Livestock Show Mission
History & Traditions
The Sioux Empire Livestock Show first debuted as the Sioux Empire Farm Show. The Show seeks to strengthen the ties between the urban and agricultural communities, support livestock producers and exhibitors, provide educational programs and exhibits, and promote the importance of agriculture in our region.
Each year in January, area agricultural producers and the members of the Sioux Falls area business community gather to participate in a variety of events that highlight the importance of agriculture in the region. As a $25.6 billion industry in South Dakota, agriculture definitely impacts the Sioux Falls area economy. Thousands flock to Sioux Falls each January to see the latest and greatest in agriculture, as well as some of the best livestock, which results in an estimated economic impact of $3 million.
Approximately 18,000 people attended the five-day show in 1954, and the event continued to grow each year. This regional ag tradition received a new name in 2018; however, the goals of the Sioux Empire Livestock Show (SELS) remain much the same as when the event first debuted as the Sioux Empire Farm Show. The Show seeks to strengthen the ties between the urban and agricultural communities, support livestock producers and exhibitors, provide educational programs and exhibits, and promote the importance of agriculture in our region.
