But the Central States Fair is like many adventures. Sometimes they're more interesting if you take the back roads, or explore the back streets. While the midway is running at full steam, the traditional functions of a country fair are underway as well.

The 4-H beef judging took place this morning.And at the horticulture building, Black Hills residents have brought their proudest achievements from their gardens. Mel Grover says the hot, dry weather this spring and summer hasn't degraded the quality of the plants, the produce, and the flowers. Mel Glover says, "It's really excellent quality. We don't have quite was much as we had in past years. Some years you might have more tomatoes. This year we've got some wonderful peaches. Some say, 'I didn't know you could grow peaches in Rapid City. But I think we had two or three different people bring in peaches. So, that's fun too."

Also on display at the Central States Fair are photography, painting, quilting, leatherworking, and a dozen other examples of the skills maintained by Black Hills residents.Here in the new leatherwork building are examples of some of the output from area craftsmen and women since 2007, when the leather program at the Central States Fair started. On display are some amazing examples of leatherwork, such as these two renditions of human faces. Don Hopkins says, "Actually, five years ago there were about three entries. And we've been holding about sixty entries for a year now. We've just moved into this building this year. And we've got a display of what you can do in leather and what can be made in leather." So the Central States Fair isn't just a place to take rides, hear the bands, see the races, or eat hotdogs. It's also a place to find out the impressive range of skills and interests possessed by Black Hills residents.

Al Van Zee