The week ahead: July 2-8

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.

July 1-Oct. 16: Art exhibit

Pieces from local and area artists are on display at the Center for Western Studies, 2121 S. Summit Ave. The exhibition, “Still Becoming: America at 250,” is a local component in the nationwide America250 semiquincentennial commemoration. The themes are place, belong, freedom, resilience and the evolving American identity. The exhibition is free and open on weekdays.

July 2: Bike ministry

The Center of Hope Mobile Bike Ministry will be at the Glory House, 4000 S. West Ave., from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday. Free bicycle repair, safety checks, tuneups and highly affordable bikes that can be earned through volunteer hours will be offered during the event.

July 2-4: Sioux Falls celebrates America’s 250th

Sioux Falls is offering three days of fun and a July 8 event to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. Find the full guide here. For a quick guide to the party, check out:

• July 2: Stars & Stripes Family Stroll at Arrowhead Park
• July 2: Independence Day party at the Westside Recreation Center
• July 2-4: Fourth of July weekend concerts at Levitt at the Falls
• July 3: Red, White & Blue Backyard Bash at Lloyd Landing downtown
• July 3: Downtown Open Streets
• July 3-5: Lighting of the Falls
• July 4: Independence Day Parade and Fireworks
• July 8: Declaration of Independence reading at the Battleship South Dakota Memorial

July 4: Independence Day

It’s the Fourth of July. An Independence Day Parade will return to Sioux Falls on Saturday, and area communities also have activities planned:

• The local parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday on Phillips Avenue, running from 13th to Sixth streets. More than 90 businesses, community organizations, elected officials and individuals will take part. There will be food trucks in the Raven Industries parking lot. The Food Truck Madness Festival will provide live entertainment and local food beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 1:30 p.m. The entertainment stage will include Drums of Liberty, The Brassholes, Asian Taiko Drum players, the Celtic Steps, yo-yo champion Ty Duffy and The LNZ Rock-an-Roll Band. Face painting will be available next to Fernson Downtown at 12th and Phillips starting at a.m. Doors will open to the fireworks show at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds at 5:30 p.m. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with the Sioux Falls Municipal Band followed by other live music, a kids’ area, a Vanguard flyover and a skydiver at 8:30 p.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m.  Seating in the grandstand is free; lawn chairs are permitted. You’ll find more information here.
• Good NAtured, 2501 W. 10th St., will host its first Fourth of July Fiesta from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. It’s a taco potluck where everyone contributes something to eat. It’s free, but you can register to attend here.
• Lennox will host the 43rd annual Old-Fashioned Fourth of July celebration with a parade starting at 10:30 a.m. It will begin at the Sinning Sports Complex and travel north on Main Street, then back on Elm Street. It is followed by food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, a car show and live music. The Lennox Municipal Band will perform Jacobs Memorial Bandshell at 8 p.m. while at fireworks will be launched at dusk from the Lennox High School parking lot.

July 6: Mondays at McKennan

Concerts every Monday through the end of August will return at 7 p.m. Monday at the McKennan Park bandshell. The concerts are free. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. The schedule is as follows: Neo Johnson’s, Monday; the Fabulous Fitty Band, July 13; Guilty Pleasures, July 27; Jami Lynn, Aug. 3; Surfin’ Safari, Aug. 10; Mogen’s Heroes, Aug. 17; Tara Faber Band, Aug. 24; and El Riad Shrine’s Last Call, Aug. 31.

Coming up: July 31

Icon Event Hall, 402 N. Main Ave., will host A Midsummer Night’s Cocktail, an immersive cocktail-theater experience inspired by the words of William Shakespeare. A ticket costs $45 and will include four themed signature tastings paired with live performances throughout the evening. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the performance at 8 p.m. July 31. Renaissance attire is encouraged. Space is limited; reserve tickets here.