Watertown Winter Farm Show Honors Legends as 81st Annual Event Commences
- Steve Jurrens
- Feb 11
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The 81st Annual Watertown Winter Farm Show officially opened Wednesday morning at the Codington County Extension Complex, blending a vision for the future of South Dakota agriculture with a deep respect for its storied past.
The opening ceremony, a cornerstone of the four-day event, featured two significant honors. The Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee officially dedicated this year’s show to the late Steve Keppen, whose involvement with the show dates back to 1969.
Keppen was remembered not just for his business contributions, but for his roots in “hard work, family, and faith.” His wife, Merna, and their family were present to accept the dedication plaque and received a standing ovation from a crowd of fellow producers, exhibitors, and community leaders.
The committee also recognized Mike Mack for his 42 years of continuous involvement. Mack, a lifelong dairy producer and agricultural innovator, expressed his gratitude to the community and reflected on the decades of growth the show has seen since his first year as an exhibitor.
“It is incredibly humbling to be recognized for doing something you love with people you consider family,” Mack said.
The morning concluded with a ceremonial ribbon cutting using the show’s signature oversized green scissors. The Keppen and Mack families jointly cut the ribbon, officially opening the exhibition halls to the public.
Following the ceremony, the arena was quickly transitioned for the first of the week’s highly anticipated livestock sales. The show, which runs through Saturday, February 14, is expected to draw thousands to the Watertown area. This year’s event features approximately 150 commercial exhibitors, the State Crop Show, and a variety of youth competitions, including the Lego contest and 4-H Skill-A-Thon.
Organizers noted that while the tools of the trade have evolved significantly over the show’s 81-year history, the mission remains the same: to promote the vital role of agriculture in the region and to provide a gathering place for the community.
The Watertown Winter Farm Show continues tomorrow with daily programs starting at 9:00 a.m.
Photos courtesy of Brandon Heim at the Watertown Current Newspaper.
