Decked for departure: Sioux Falls Regional Airport shows off holiday spirit

Christmas has arrived in a big way at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport.

Whether you’re waiting to depart or arriving for a visit, there’s no shortage of holiday-inspired photo backdrops and decor to put you in the spirit.

“Some would say, it’s extreme or too much, but I always think to myself, ‘Let’s connect with the people visiting, show them how festive and friendly Sioux Falls really is, and if it can brighten even one person’s day, it was worth it,” said Courtney Thorpe, who started her business, Priceless Events, seven years ago.

She has been helping decorate the airport at Christmas for the past five years, “and every year I try to add a new feature or theme,” she said.

It started with all the trees on the concourse having a theme related to Sioux Falls or South Dakota.

Last year, she added Santa’s grotto in the main entryway and wood trees in the hallway.

“But this year was a challenge with the construction,” Thorpe said. “There are limited plug-ins throughout the building, and the two in the center of the main floor were blocked by the construction. We worked with the long wall to create a focal point. The two flocked 12-foot trees were new this year and worked perfectly there!”

Thorpe “does a great job,” executive director Dan Letellier said. “I think this year she did more decorating pre-security versus decorations on the concourse, so it might look like a little more.”

Thorpe’s favorite addition was baggage claim, where there are different displays at each chute.

“I wanted something fun and cheery, and right away, the idea of bags coming off the conveyor reminded me of what I imagine Santa’s workshop to be like,” she said. “I have crazy dreams of wrapping each of the three chutes with wood and making it more theatrical, but I make everything on my own, so I start with the basics and add each year.”

The South Dakota Symphony’s string quartet and wind quintet also performed at the airport this month.

“They do an awesome job, and it provides a great holiday atmosphere,” Letellier said.

Other new decorative additions include reindeer and Santa upstairs, a nutcracker downstairs, a Grinch area and a wreath detailing the meaning of Christmas.

“So many people are struggling this year for different reasons, but the lights and purity of it are calm and reassuring during the holidays,” Thorpe said.

“I have already started constructing life-size nutcrackers to add next year and also a candy village!”

She started her business “when I realized punching a clock and growing a family were not very conducive to each other.” She had an 18-month-old at home, then had twins.

“I have worked in the events area for most of my adult life, so it just felt right,” she said. “The first few years, I was focused mainly on weddings and slowly added in some fun corporate events and decorating. At the end of this season, I decided to stop doing weddings altogether. It’s a huge leap of faith, and quite frankly very scary with the way times are right now, but I once again have to adjust to my family life and what drives my heart.”

In the coming year, she will aim to work on customized events and one-of-a-kind designs for corporate, nonprofit and personal clients.

“I put my heart and soul into all my events, and I don’t operate with a big team; actually it’s just me and occasionally one other person,” she said. “There are some amazing companies in Sioux Falls who do elaborate and showstopping lighting and design elements; I love those, but my style is more natural and also more budget-conscious.”

While some of Thorpe’s airport decor is visible only once travelers have passed through security, much of it is on the main terminal level, which is open to the public.