The World’s Largest Pheasant, standing 28 feet tall, symbolizes the official state bird of South Dakota and the city of Huron’s active hunting culture. “Hunting is part of our identity here in Huron, which attracts huge numbers of people to our city every year,” says MiKayla Ketelhut, communications director of the Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau. “The Karen people also settled here years ago, which directly contributed to our sense of farming.”
Dakota Provisions, a meat manufacturer, employs most residents in Huron and specializes in producing turkey meat, a focal point in the city. “Dakota Provisions is our biggest turkey manufacturer, which is big here since we have turkey races where people race turkeys downtown.”
Private transportation service offered to Sioux Falls
While Huron has access to two U.S. routes, the city offers public transportation through a private company. “We do a local transit service called People’s Train,” says Ketelhut. “It’s a call-a-ride service, and they also do out-of-town trips to Sioux Falls. We have a lot of elderly people in this area, so the service helps quite a bit.” Sioux Falls Regional, the nearest commercial airport, is 120 miles east of the city. Huron Regional Medical Center is within city limits for quick access, but most Huron residents travel to Sioux Falls for hospital needs.
Local restaurants along a rebuilding Dakota Avenue
City funding has allowed Huron to rebuild Dakota Avenue, its main thoroughfare, into a streetscape full of ethnically diverse restaurants, including Prime Time Tavern, one of Huron’s more upscale establishments. “Prime Time Restaurant, on the south end of the city, and La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant are two places that will always be busy,” says Ketelhut. “However, we started rebuilding Dakota Avenue throughout the stretch, from updating our lighting to adding more diverse restaurants and shops.” Walmart Supercenter and Coborn’s Grocery Store, a regional grocery chain, are on the same street.
Spend the summer at Splash Central Waterpark
Huron residents flock to Splash Central Waterpark to beat the heat. The park offers a giant waterslide, lazy river, and water coaster. It operates only during the summer, from May to August. “We also have another area called Ravine Lake, where folks gather. It has a mini-golf course and a man-made lake where people go fishing, swimming, and paddleboating,” says Ketelhut. Ravine Lake Park is a 32-acre park with a sand beach, paddleboats, kayaks, and inner tubes. Walton Island, a small sandy area near the lake, has a gazebo that can be reserved for weddings and other special occasions. A paved walking trail surrounds the lake and is marked every quarter mile for distance tracking.
Attend the Ringneck Festival and South Dakota State Fair
Huron’s Ringneck Festival features two competitive events. The first involves six teams hunting 18 pheasants. The second is a bird dog competition that tests the skills of both dogs and handlers. The birds are harvested in only 15 minutes. “Our Ringneck Festival always draws a huge crowd, but our crown jewel is the South Dakota State Fair, which has expanded from a five-day to a six-day event that runs through Labor Day weekend,” says Ketelhut.
The 190-acre fairgrounds in the city host the widely popular South Dakota State Fair. The annual fair, which recorded 180,000 attendees in 2024, features special events like an amateur winemaking contest, classic car shows, and livestock shows at the DEX, a 150,000-square-foot livestock and equestrian facility.
Homeowner rehabilitation program offered
With a population of 14,000, Huron's homes range from small bungalows needing renovation to multi-bedroom ranch-style homes, with a median price of $175,000. Current homeowners who have lived in their homes for over a year are eligible for the Homeowner Rehabilitation Program, an initiative to fund low-income housing renovations. The program has financed renovations for five homes at a total cost of $94,000. Residents should also note that those living near Huron Regional Airport may hear air traffic noise.
Well-attended career fair at Huron High School
Huron School District is the city’s central school district, serving nearly 3,000 students from prekindergarten through grade 12. The district earned a B-minus rating on Niche. It oversees six schools, including Huron High School, where a record 1,000 students attended the 2024 career fair. South Dakota State University, the nearest four-year public university, is 80 miles east of Huron.
Low crime and environmental concerns
According to the FBI Data Explorer, crime in Huron and its larceny rates have decreased over the past two years. No immediate flood risk exists throughout the city except for homes or businesses near the James River.
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