Dakotafest Women’s Brunch returns with a focus on connection, cattle and community

Nearly 30 years after it first began as a side event for farm wives attending Dakotafest, the Women’s Brunch and Vendor Fair has grown into one of the show’s most anticipated community gatherings.

This year’s brunch will be held Wednesday, Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Highland Conference Center in Mitchell. The accompanying vendor fair runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are available through the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce.

Originally created to offer a social space for women while their spouses attended field demos and equipment showcases, the brunch has evolved into something broader.

“Now it’s for anybody and everybody,” said Laurie Cooper, director of operations at the Mitchell Area Development Corporation. “Some are still from farm families, but a lot of women who come are business owners, local leaders or just looking for a space to connect.”

This year’s keynote speaker is Calli (Pritchard) Williams, a millennial rancher and livestock field representative based near Letcher. Williams and her husband, Tate, run TW Angus, a purebred cow-calf operation. In addition to her work on the ranch, Williams represents the Wyoming Livestock Roundup, helping producers across the Dakotas, Nebraska and Colorado with marketing support. She also serves as vice president of membership for the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and is an incoming National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trailblazer.

“She has a great story to tell about life on the ranch,” Cooper said. “We’re excited for people to hear it.”

The brunch typically sells around 250 to 300 tickets and features a relaxed format with food served before the program. Vendors line the edges of the conference room, offering everything from handmade goods and skincare products to nonprofit resources and boutique fashion.

Some returning vendors this year include Bravenly Global, Red Aspen and Mary Kay consultants. A variety of door prizes are given away at the end of the event, with many donated by local businesses and community members.

For Cooper, success isn’t measured by numbers alone.

“We do a survey every year, and the feedback is always strong,” she said. “It’s a chance for women to feel encouraged, inspired and seen.”

As Dakotafest continues to grow, so does the brunch. Organizers are looking for ways to reach the next generation of women in agricultural and rural communities, whether they attend as guests, vendors or speakers.

“As long as we have Dakotafest,” Cooper said, “we’ll continue with this brunch.”