Tag: activities

Join Us for the 11th Annual Riverfest: A Family-Friendly Celebration of Music and Community!

Posted on by Brandon Hanson

Celebrate Community and Music at Riverfest 2024!

Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. (DTSF) is thrilled to announce the 11th annual Riverfest, generously sponsored by The Bancorp, Inc. This highly-anticipated event will take place on August 17th, 2024, bringing together the community for a day of music, fun, and family-friendly activities along the beautiful Big Sioux River.

An Impressive Musical Lineup

This year’s Riverfest features an outstanding lineup of bands that will keep you entertained throughout the day. We are excited to feature:

  • The Teals: Kicking off the event with their unique blend of indie and alternative rock. Check out The Teals on Facebook
  • Mat D & Roadside Revival: Known for their hard-hitting Americana and soulful tunes, Mat D & Roadside Revival will keep the energy high with their dynamic performance. Learn more about Mat D & Roadside Revival
  • Kid Dakota: Bringing an eclectic mix of indie rock and thoughtful lyrics, Kid Dakota will captivate the audience with their distinctive sound. Discover Kid Dakota
  • Indigenous: Our headliner, Indigenous, will close out the event with their powerful blues-rock performance. Indigenous is known for their electrifying shows and musical prowess. Explore Indigenous

A Family-Friendly Extravaganza

Riverfest offers more great music; it’s a celebration designed for the whole family. This year, we are proud to offer a variety of activities and amenities to ensure everyone has a fantastic time:

  • Food Vendors: Enjoy delicious treats from our wide array of food vendors, including cotton candy, cookies, hotdogs, and more.
  • Activity Tents: Engage in fun and interactive activities for all ages. Our activity tents will feature games, crafts, and other exciting programming geared towards family fun.
  • Performances and Games: Throughout the day, there will be performances and games designed to entertain and delight children and adults alike.

Building Community Through Festivals & Events

At DTSF, we believe in the power of festivals to bring people together and strengthen our community. Riverfest showcases our commitment to creating events that foster connections, celebrate local talent, and provide a platform for families to enjoy quality time together.

Riverfest stands out as the go-to destination for family-friendly entertainment. We invite you to join us for a day filled with music, fun, and community.

Photo Credit: Experience Sioux Falls

Get Involved

Don’t miss out on this incredible event! Mark your calendars for August 17th, 2024, sign up to volunteer, and bring your family and friends to Riverfest. For more details and updates, follow us on Facebook/Instagram and visit DTSF.com.

About Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. (DTSF)

Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. (DTSF) boldly leads the downtown community by fostering diverse experiences, economic growth, and a healthy environment. Visit DTSF.com for more information.

We look forward to seeing you at Riverfest, where music, family fun, and community come together!

DTSF to Launch “Lively & Beautiful Streets” with Support from AARP Grant

Posted on by Brandon Hanson

Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. (DTSF) is excited to announce our selection as a recipient of the 2024 AARP South Dakota Community Challenge Grant, which will support our “Lively & Beautiful Streets” (LABS) initiative. This initiative builds on our successful implementation of bump outs in 2019, where strategic installations led to calmer vehicle traffic, increased pedestrian foot traffic, and notable improvements to the streetscape. Thanks to these positive outcomes, the city of Sioux Falls has decided to make key bump out locations permanent, underscoring their effectiveness in enhancing safety and community connectivity.

The painted bump out pilot project in 2024 will have similar goals to that of 2019. DTSF will measure traffic speeds throughout the implementation, and if successful seek to include more permanent features to the downtown cityscape in upcoming city plans. The pilot project is intended to build awareness and ultimately buy-in around pedestrians and vehicles coexisting in a safer way.

The LABS initiative aims to expand on this success by focusing on additional downtown streets, creating environments where slower traffic, safer crossings, and a more hospitable pedestrian realm are the norm. By engaging volunteers to paint curb extensions and enhance walkability, DTSF seeks to make downtown Sioux Falls an even more vibrant and welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.

Erik Gaikowski, state director of AARP South Dakota, emphasizes the broader impact of such initiatives: “AARP South Dakota is committed to collaborating with local leaders to improve residents’ quality of life through tangible changes. We are proud to support this year’s grantees as they make immediate improvements in their communities to jumpstart long-term change, especially for South Dakotans 50 and over.”

Why Traffic Calming is Crucial

Traffic calming measures, such as bumpouts, are crucial for creating safer and more enjoyable downtown environments. These modifications significantly reduce vehicle speeds, making streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. By narrowing the roadway at intersections, bumpouts shorten crossing distances for pedestrians, increase visibility, and encourage drivers to slow down.

Moreover, slower traffic contributes to a more peaceful and pleasant urban experience, enhancing the overall quality of life in downtown Sioux Falls. It allows pedestrians to feel more comfortable navigating the streets and fosters community engagement.

Heath Hoftiezer, the Traffic Operations Engineer with the City of Sioux Falls, appeared as a panelist in DTSF’s Walkability forum. When discussing the need for reduced speeds, he mentioned that the average speed on 10th street downtown is 28 mph; 8 above the posted speed limit. Further, he added that we need to use psychology to our advantage when building environments for both pedestrians and vehicles. Piloting bump outs at key intersections is precisely the way to do just that.

Enhancing Walkability and Livability

Walkability is a cornerstone of a thriving downtown. Streets designed for pedestrians not only improve public health and reduce traffic congestion but also stimulate local economies.

A more walkable downtown attracts more foot traffic, supporting businesses and creating a vibrant social hub for residents and visitors alike. Joe Batcheller explains that Walkability is less about a pro-car vs. pro-pedestrian debate, and more about figuring out how everyone can win.

The International Downtown Association has many success stories of implementing “complete street” initiatives via their membership base. One example is the Coxe Avenue Complete Street Demonstration Project. IDA states: “The goal was to design a safer and more enjoyable walking and cycling environment, with temporary and inexpensive materials, while empowering the community to play an active role in transforming their streetscape.”

Reconnecting Communities

The LABS initiative is more than just infrastructure improvement; it’s about reconnecting communities. By making downtown Sioux Falls more accessible and enjoyable, we aim to bring people together in meaningful ways. Whether through safer streets, enhanced public spaces, or increased community engagement, LABS strives to create a downtown that fosters a sense of pride and belonging for all.

During the July Walkability Forum hosted by DTSF, Inc. panelists discussed the importance of considering the various stakeholders early on in the process of designing the streetscape of downtown Sioux Falls. Building a downtown for everyone will take all of us.

Furthermore, it is critical for people outside of DTSF and the City of Sioux Falls to participate in advocacy around walkability, “complete streets”, and other initiatives to strengthen the core of our city. As many others have said, a thriving downtown results in a thriving city.

Get Involved

We invite the community to join us in this transformative project. Volunteers are essential to painting the bump outs and bringing our vision to life. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a project that will have a lasting positive impact on downtown Sioux Falls.

For more information about the LABS initiative and how you can get involved, sign up to volunteer. Together, we can make downtown Sioux Falls a safer, more beautiful, and more vibrant place for all.

About Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. (DTSF)

Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. (DTSF) boldly leads the downtown community by fostering diverse experiences, economic growth, and a healthy environment. Visit dtsf.com for more information.

Ring in the New Year in Downtown Sioux Falls

Posted on by Jared Indahl

Say goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021 with special events and promotions from downtown small businesses!

New Year’s Eve Events:

New Year’s Eve Specials:

 

Meet Me Downtown: Terri with Sticks and Steel

Posted on by Charlee Riker

“Meet me Downtown!” This is a common phrase heard from a friend you’re meeting for drinks, a family member about to grab lunch, your favorite shopping partner, or from a variety of other people.  Well now you can hear from DTSF small business owners and why you should meet them right here in downtown.  Each month we’ll help tell the stories of what makes this community so special.  If you’re looking for a unique gift, *cough* Valentine’s Day *cough*, this month’s featured business will be a great place to look through. Meet Terri Schuver with Sticks and Steel in Downtown Sioux Falls!

Q: First off, tell us about the history of Sticks and Steel.

A: Oh, boy… Well, Sticks and Steel really started with Prairie Dance, a rusted-metal gift and décor line that started back in 1997.  I was traveling around the country selling her Prairie Dance creations at fairs and markets.  I started to take note of the unique and beautiful goods her exhibiting neighbors were selling, and thought to herself “people in Sioux Falls would so appreciate these things!”.   So I bought several pieces from some of my favorite artists and sold them out of a small store front space in front of the Prairie Dance studio and welding shop.  The “grand opening” of Sticks and Steel was in September of 2001.  Now, 19 years later, the gallery has been through half-a-dozen expansions and takes up about 2000 square feet of space.

 

Q: What’s one of your favorite memories from Sticks and Steel?

A: My favorite memories seem to be of the people we’ve connected with through the business.  We’ve hired workshop employees that couldn’t speak English and are now thriving American citizens as well as the dearest friends.  And we’ve come to realize that we’ve learned more from them than they will ever learn from us!  We’ve hosted a surprise engagement for an awesome guy who wanted to surprise his sweetie…..we hid the ring, chilled the champagne and cheered when he popped the question!  We’ve bonded (and sweat!) with employees and their families when everyone pitched in to paint our retail space with 20ft high ceilings.  I can’t really pick just one memory….they all make up the fabric of who Sticks and Steel is!

Q: Have you always been located in the 8th & Railroad Center on the Eastbank of downtown Sioux Falls?

A: 8th and Railroad is Sticks and Steel’s first official location.

Q: What’s one product you’d highly recommend to anybody who walks into your store?

A: Bacon Cooker!  That thing is the bomb.  It’s a beautiful piece of pottery that cooks bacon in minutes.  What more could a Midwest gal ask for?!

Q: Describe your ideal day in downtown Sioux Falls.

A: Easy! First stop, Queen City for their goat cheese quiche and tea… so amazing!  Then, of course, Sticks and Steel… chop down a few goals with my team and see all the new goodies we have coming in.  Sanaa’s Shish Tawook has my heart, so that would definitely be my lunch stop… Walk through Josephine’s for a little botanical breather before heading back to the shop.  Finally, I’d end the day at R Wine Bar for happy hour with my downtown amigos. Perfect!

Q: Do you have any special events or news for the upcoming year for Sticks and Steel?

A: We have so many events planned!  You all can count on our Annual Clearance Sale and Prairie Dance sale this spring.  We have several artist events in the books along with workshops and special shopping events too. Keep your eyes on our Instagram and Facebook page for details as we get closer to all the fun.

Q: Describe your business in three words.

A: Artful, Vibrant, Fun-loving.

Q: What makes downtown Sioux Falls different than any other downtown?

A: The community!  Our neighbors are the best.  Restaurants, retailers, hotels, we all work collaboratively with the same goal in mind—we wanna bring the fun!  We’re blessed with an amazing customer base filled with small business evangelists and we all wanna be worthy of their support and patronage and we know it takes every business in our neighborhood to make that happen.

 

Ready to learn more about Terri and Sticks and Steel? Visit their website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram! Hear more DTSF stories and follow #MeetMeDTSF

13 Reasons You Should Spend Valentine’s Day in Downtown Sioux Falls

Posted on by Charlee Riker

This list is from 2020. Click here for the current 2021 list.

It’s never too early to start planning for a very special day celebrating all kinds of love and we want to help you with yours!  Whether your celebration involves a significant other, a group of best friends, the kids, or yourself; here are 13 reasons to spend your Valentine’s Day in downtown Sioux Falls.

Many of these Valentine’s Day deals and events occur throughout the week of Valentine’s Day.  Enjoy free downtown parking after 5:00pm and weekends.

1. Experience the classic romantic dinner date with your sweetheart. (Please call ahead to make reservations!)

 

2. Bundle up for an outdoor concert and shopping at Jones421 
3. Valentines Day presents. Need we say more? 
4. Let your inner artist shine
5. Attend the theater
6. Dance the night away 
7. There’s plenty of live music
8. You can let the bubbly flow 
9. Celebrate the day of love with the kids  
10. There’s plenty of places for a special “Stay-cation”
11. Learn a new cooking skill
12. Surprise your loved one with a Singing or Candy Gram while supporting a local non-profit
13. Doing the day solo or not a fan of the holiday?  Downtown is still the place for you!

 

Find more downtown events at dtsf.com/events

 

Cover photo credit: Heidi Hansen

Everything You Need to Know About the 7th Annual Downtown Burger Battle

Posted on by Charlee Riker

Prepare your tastebuds for battle with the 7th Annual Downtown Burger Battle! DTSF and the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation kicks off January 2, 2020 and continues through January 31, 2020. A record number of participating downtown restaurants will compete by presenting their take on the classic American burger.

Diners can order and rate each burger feature based on patty, presentation, toppings, bun, and customer service. The restaurant with the highest average score by the end of the month will be the 2020 Burger Battle Champion. New this year, voting will take place on the DTSF Digital Passport. After voting, diners will earn stamps, points, and share their progress to social media.

“Bringing the community back together after the holidays to experience the downtown area in a different way is so important to these small businesses and specifically restaurants.  This year’s Burger Battle is coming back better than ever with more burgers, giveaways and the highly-anticipated DTSF Digital Passport.” said DTSF Marketing & Communication Coordinator Sadie Swier

The sixteen restaurants participating are: 

Diners can also enter a weekly restaurant gift card drawing by posting a photo of features to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, tagging the restaurant name and using the hashtag #BurgerBattle20.

In 2019, 8,123 burgers were sold and rated from twelve downtown restaurants.  Learn more about last year’s Burger Battle here.

Find burger contender names and descriptions at https://dtsf.com/event/7th-annual-downtown-burger-battle/.

Celebrate the New Year in Downtown Sioux Falls

Posted on by Charlee Riker

For 2021 New Year’s Eve events and promotions, visit the 2021 NYE page

There’s no better way to ring in the new year than in downtown Sioux Falls. So break out the noisemakers and bubbly because many small businesses are celebrating with special events and holiday hours on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

NYE Events:

DTSF Businesses Open New Year’s Eve:

Shop
Dine & Drink
Attractions

DTSF Businesses Open New Year’s Day:

Shop
Dine & Drink
Attractions

The public is strongly encouraged to make arrangements for safe transportation. AAA members and nonmembers can call 1-800-222-4357 for a free service through Tipsy Tow, Uber and Lyft can be accessed with any mobile device.

10 Things You Need to Know about St. Patrick’s Day in downtown Sioux Falls

Posted on by Charlee Riker

The community has embraced the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and made it a tradition for those with Irish heritage and the Irish-at-heart, for the past 40 years. Here are 10 things you need to know about St. Patrick’s Day in downtown Sioux Falls!

1. The annual Sioux Falls St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the city’s longest running parade.

In 1979, the city’s matriarch Sylvia Henkin called a group of friends around her kitchen table to discuss her idea to bring a “people’s parade” to celebrate the Irish spirit in Sioux Falls. As with most things that Sylvia set her mind to, the idea quickly turned to reality. The first parade was held in 1980 in downtown Sioux Falls, and the tradition has never wavered. Take part in the city’s longest running parade and celebrate Sylvia’s legacy during the 40th Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 16, 2019, starting at 2:00pm in downtown Sioux Falls. Click here for a parade map.

2. The Falls will be lit green. 

Visit the city’s namesake while it’s lit green for the holiday! Falls Park Visitor Center will be open St. Patty’s Day weekend, 10:00am – 5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday.

3. Mrs. Murphy’s is the only Irish store in South Dakota.

For over 20 years, Mrs. Murphy’s Irish Gifts has been a must-see shop, selling the finest jewelry, clothing, food and gifts imported from Ireland, right here in downtown Sioux Falls.

4. Canadian Khartum Temple Pipe & Drums visit downtown every St. Patrick’s Day.

Parade founder Sylvia Henkin invited the drum group to the event in its inaugural year, and they’ve returned every year since. Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect!

5. Watch traditional Irish dancing with the Sioux Falls Celtic Steps.

The Celtic Steps School of Irish Dance is a growing community in Sioux Falls. Seriously, two dancers went to Scotland for the World Irish Dancing Championships.  See the group dance a jig at the St. Patrick’s Day Holiday Inn party,following the parade.

6. Hugh Grogan is this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade grand marshal.

Hugh Grogan has strong Irish connections and serves as an advocate in the Sioux Falls area.  The Grogans celebrate by making a family float for the parade every year. Learn more about Grogan here.

7. Get the official St. Patrick’s Day button and support Special Olympics South Dakota.

Official buttons are not only a festive accessory, but also serve as the annual St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser.  Over $160,000 has been raised for local nonprofits from button sales. Get yours at the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce or Mrs. Murphy’s Irish Store for just $3.

8. Help paint the street green! 

Every downtown St. Patrick’s Day celebration kicks off with the painting of a shamrock in the middle of historic Phillips Avenue. Beginning at 11:00am, the corner of 9th and Phillips Avenue will be covered with the classic Irish symbol.

9. Listen to traditional Irish music at the Old Courthouse Museum.

Enjoy the Dakota District Pipes & Drums and Maggie in the Meantime with food and drinks during the St. Patrick’s Celebration of Traditional Irish Music at the Old Courthouse Museum.

10 . Eat, drink and be merry at DTSF’s authentic Irish Pub.

Feast on traditional bangers and mash with a tall Guinness at Blarney Stone Pub, downtown’s only Irish pub. There will be a number of food and drink specials during the day, as well as one of the best patios in the area. Find a full list of restaurants and bars under the Dine & Drink section.

Find all downtown happenings in our Events calendar. Parking in downtown is free on weekends and the public is encouraged to make arrangements for safe transportation through Lyft & local cab companies.

Spend Your Labor Day Weekend in Downtown Sioux Falls

Posted on by Charlee Riker
Celebrate the dog days of summer this Labor Day weekend in downtown Sioux Falls, with events and activities for everyone to enjoy, from Thursday through Monday. Take advantage of FREE downtown parking all weekend (yep, that means Monday too) and plan your Labor Day weekend in downtown Sioux Falls with the following events and updated store hours in mind!

 

Thursday, Aug. 30

 

Friday, Aug. 31

 

Saturday, Sept. 1

 

Monday, Sept. 3

 

Daily

 

DTSF Sales & Holiday Hours:

Top 10 things to do on the Big Sioux River

Posted on by Charlee Riker

The Big Sioux River, or BSR, is synonymous with Sioux Falls (of course the shared name helps).  You can see it wind and twist throughout the city, and the most your interaction is with the BSR is the view from your car over 10th and 11th street bridges.  When it comes to the BSR, there’s no place in the city that celebrates it better than downtown Sioux Falls.  From live music, dining, and outdoors activities, there’s something for river-visitors of all ages. If you’re ready to experience the BSR, check out these 10 Things to Do on The Big Sioux River.

 

10. Kayak & Canoe

You’ll always see people enjoying this aquatic transportation on the BSR.  Need a kayak or canoe?  Rentals are available at Nyberg’s Ace.  Need a place to drop-off/pick-up? Check out at this map.

 

9. Yoga on the Water

Not only will you tap into your flow and sculpt your body, but it’s for a great cause!  This popular event takes place outdoors with a sunset view of the BSR and all donations go to the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program.

 

8. Downtown Riverfest

The annual “party on the river” is a classic downtown event with live music, food trucks, canoe rides, fireworks and more.  You still have time to attend this year’s event August 18.  Click here for the 2018 Riverfest Guide.

 

7. Become a “Friend” of the BSR

Do you want to make a difference?  You can help be the change by becoming a friend of the BSR.  This organization creates awareness and unites the community to help the keep the BSR clean.

 

6. Dine

Enjoy not one, not two, but three classy and casual eateries right on the banks of the BSR!  Ode to Food & Drink, CRAVE, and Falls Landing include patio spaces and delicious menus that make for a unique downtown dining experience.

 

5. Animals on the Ampitheater

The Great Plains Zoo brings animals to the river with fun for the whole family!  With an educational and entertaining presentation, Animals on the Ampitheater makes for a great way to get to know the BSR.

 

4. The BSR Recreation Trail and Greenway

If the downtown area of the BSR wasn’t enough, there’s 29 miles of a paved bike trail to see much, much more.  Walk, job, bike, or rollerblade this year-round outdoor enjoyment.

 

3. Big Sioux River Greenway Cleanup

Do good and make the BSR better by participating in the annual Big Sioux River Greenway Cleanup.  This event happens one day in April to honor Earth Day.  Check out the details from last year’s cleanup here. 

 

2. Moonlight Movies

This event has all the right ingredients for a perfect summer night with the family: movies, popcorn, outdoors, and the BSR!  Just grab the kids and come out Saturday nights to Fawick Park. Learn more about movies this summer.

 

1. Rhythm on the River

Head down to the Downtown Riverfront Amphitheater Wednesday nights for live local jazz outdoors with a backdrop of the BSR.

 

The BSR represents endless possibilities to the city of Sioux Falls and Downtown Sioux Falls wants you to come help us celebrate with these Top 10 things to do on the Big Sioux River!