Longest running fair show returns for 37th year | News, Sports, Jobs

Lies is now 37 years old and with his witty jokes he managed to make the audience laugh the entire show on Friday. The audience gathered in the shade to avoid the July heat at the state fair.

“The very first year, the manager of the State Fair – a man named Jerry Iverson – saw me at a county fair. He said, ‘Young man, would you like to come to the State Fair?’ I said, ‘Yes, I would like to do that sometime,’ and he said, ‘How about four weeks from now?’ When I was fourteen, I was able to negotiate with the fair managers and I started doing it – and I kept doing it. Thirty-seven years later, we are the longest-running entertainment at the North Dakota State Fair and we are happy to be back this year,” Lies said this during his show on Friday.

During his show he said that the “animal athletes” undergo a special training process and are rewarded at the end with a sweet treat: cherry-flavored Kool Aid.

There are two sets of races during his show. During the second race, spectators get the chance to “stake” on a pig. At the beginning of the show, viewers are given numbered tickets and are encouraged to place half of the ticket into a container that matches the colored sash on their pig of choice. At the end, a ticket is drawn from the winning colored container and the winner earns a special prize.

Angie Reinoehl/MDN Pig racing is a family affair. This year, Daryl Lies’ daughter and grandchildren will be at the North Dakota State Fair. From left: Stella Rebel, Samantha Rebel, Daryl Lies and Sharlotte Rebel.

Lies strives to be a role model for FFA students by showing them that it is possible to make a living doing what they love. He hopes to spark interest in the entrepreneurial side of farming and occasionally FFA students take the time to help out with the show.

Lies said his daughters have helped out at fairs around the country from time to time over the years and always help out at the State Fair. This year, Lies has three generations of family pig racers at the fair, in addition to his daughter and young grandchildren.

Lies concluded his performance by addressing the audience once again.

“Come back. See us again. I’ll tell you what, I hope you enjoyed the racing pigs, but most of all, everyone, we hope you enjoy your 2024 North Dakota State Fair,” he said.