Grand marshal announced for Parade of Lights

Downtown business owner and historic preservationist Stacy Newcomb will serve as the grand marshal of this year’s Parade of Lights in downtown Sioux Falls.

“I have had a passion for working with our kids to show them that they can own a business, and I have spent much of my career in preservation because I believe preserving our history enhances our community,” said Newcomb, who raised her family of five along with her husband, Rick Weiland, in Sioux Falls while operating multiple family businesses.

She has been committed to historic preservation for the past 30 years, with projects such as:

• Sioux Falls State Theatre (2007-2024).
• Parker’s Bistro (2009) in the Ballard Building at 210 S. Main Ave.
• Icon Event Hall (2011) and DaDa Gastropub (2020) in the John Deere Building at 402 N. Main Ave.
• Myrtle’s Fur Vault & Bar (2023) in Frye’s Fur Building at 208 S. Main Ave.
• David (2022) in the Scott and Sherman buildings at 214 W. 10th St.
• Restoration of her 1906 Wallace Dow home on Phillips Avenue in the All Saints Historic District.

Newcomb led the effort to preserve the Sioux Falls State Theatre beginning in 2007 when there were plans to demolish the interior and change the purpose of the building.

“Her efforts preserved both the historic interior and character as a theater,” according to a statement from Downtown Sioux Falls Inc.

She has championed historic preservation as a member of the Board of Historic Preservation for two terms and as board president and member of the History Club, helping save that historic building in the All Saints Neighborhood. She has also served the community as a board member of the Sioux Falls Food Co+op.

According to DTSF, Newcomb executed her vision to expand the success of Phillips Avenue to Main Avenue when she bought and refurbished the Ballard Building and opened Parker’s Bistro, the first business that was open evenings on Main Avenue. That pioneering effort inspired the city to reimagine Main Avenue, which led to the “road diet” and the enhancement we have today. She is a strong advocate for the arts, culture and community development by providing support in various capacities to organizations throughout the Sioux Falls community.

“Stacy Newcomb has been a consummate advocate for the betterment of downtown and beyond through her work in the community, which helped grow a blossoming food scene, as well as so many other cultural amenities like the State Theatre. DTSF is thrilled to honor Stacy and her contributions to the community,” DTSF president Joe Batcheller said.

The annual Parade of Lights will begin at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29.

For details, click here.