The week ahead: Aug. 29-Sept. 4

The Week Ahead is our hand-picked event guide to the next seven days in Sioux Falls and slightly beyond. For guaranteed placement or to promote your event ahead of time, email [email protected] about a featured event listing.

Aug. 30: Painting rocks

Come leave a piece of yourself at Nordic Hall, 218 W. 13th St., and paint rocks from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. The goal is to fill the building’s rock bed with pieces of art created by you. You also can bring your own rock if you want to take one home. The event, hosted by SuFu Creative Events, will have prizes and treats throughout the day. If you can’t attend, a rock-painting station will be set up in the SuFu studio.

Aug. 30-Sept. 1: Fall festival

It’s the opening weekend for The Country Apple Orchard’s Fall Festival. The all-age event at 27249 Highway 115 at Harrisburg, will run from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday every weekend through October. Admission for those 35 inches and taller is $11.96 plus tax on Friday and $14.95 plus tax on weekends. You can get your tickets here. Attractions include two 90-by-33-foot jumping pillows, a zip line course, hay bale maze, petting zoo, kiddie train rides, corn pit, rubber duck races, corn maze and hay ride through the orchard.

Aug. 31: Publisher’s anniversary

Scurfpea Publishing is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a night of poetry at Full Circle Book Co-op, 123 W. 10th St. South Dakota poet laureate Bruce Roseland will debut his recently published epic poem about a West River cowboy hiding from the law. Craig Chandler of Virginia will debut his book of war poems, while Steve Boint will debut his “Little Brother’s” book and his own recent collection of prairie songs. The evening, which begins at 7 p.m., will include a poetry open mic section.

Sept. 1: LifeLight festival

The Christian music festival LifeLight will return at noon Sunday. Nelson Park is the location. The Newsboys are the featured evening band, and food and beverages will be sold on the festival grounds. Parking spots are available in the downtown area; festival-goers then are encouraged to use the 10th and 11th street bridges to reach the festival grounds. Parking also is available at Lincoln High School, with shuttles offering rides to and from the festival. Click here for the complete lineup and schedule of events.

Sept. 1-30: Pork showdown

Get your appetite ready! Join downtown restaurants for the fourth annual Downtown Pork Showdown, a mad-dash month of culinary competition presented by Downtown Sioux Falls Inc. and the South Dakota Pork Producers Council. You can vote in five categories. Click here for a complete look at participants.

Sept. 2: Hot-dog skate

Celebrate the holiday weekend on wheels! The annual Labor Day Hot Dog Skate will run from noon to 6 p.m. Monday at Skate City SD. Admission is $10, and skate rentals are $3.50. Every paid skater will receive a free hot dog and drink. You’re welcome to skate the whole six hours.

Sept. 4: Bike Night

Wednesday marks the last Bike Night of the season at Red Rock Bar & Grill, 48181 Highway 42 east of Sioux Falls. The riff-based rock ‘n’ roll band Gallivant from Omaha will play from 6 to 10 p.m. Bike Nights benefit the Children’s Home Society of South Dakota.