The week ahead: March 16-22

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.

March 16: Science camp

South Dakota Mines students will bring their CAMP Caravan to The Empire Mall from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Projects on display include a Baja car, a Formula race car, Aero Design RC planes, a steel bridge and the school’s eSports team. It’s a chance to build things and learn how to work collaboratively.
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March 17: Irish music

Friday and Saturday are filled with St. Patrick’s Day activities. If you want something more traditional and less green beer, head to the Old Courthouse Museum for a celebration of traditional Irish music. The event from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday will feature Maggie in the Meantime at 5 p.m., the Dakota District Pipes & Drums at 6:30 p.m. and the Celtic Steps Dancers from 7 to 7:30 p.m. South Dakota Arts Council is one of the sponsors. The event is free, but you can purchase food from A Taste of Country and drinks from Dakota Beverage Co.

March 17-18: St. Patrick’s Day roundup

With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Friday, the day before downtown traditionally celebrates, get ready for two days of fun for all ages. Here’s a quick snapshot of what you’ll find going on:

• McNally’s Irish Pub opens early Saturday with live music and a bus to the downtown parade. Click here for details.
• Shenanigans Sports Bar & Grill celebrates for two days beginning at 7 a.m. Friday with green beer, green eggs and much more. Click here for details.
• El Riad Shrine hosts a St. Patty’s Day Bash with what’s being called the Midwest’s largest beer pong tournament. Click here for details.

• Make a “pot of gold” bath bomb at Juniper Apothecary on Saturday. Click here for details.
• Primp Boutique downtown will host a “paw-ty” before the downtown parade starting at 11 a.m. Saturday to benefit Almost Home Canine Rescue. Click here for the details.
• Here’s a link to the official downtown St. Patrick’s Day event, including the parade.
• Many other downtown bars and restaurants are opening early and hosting live music and other entertainment, so search for your favorite and you’ll likely find something special going on!

March 17-18: Spring Sioux Empire Arts & Crafts Show

Artisans and crafters from a cross the Midwest will fill more than 70,000 square feet with this show at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. Shop more than 180 exhibitors selling home decor, jewelry, fine art, toys, furniture, soups, clothing, signs, soap, candles and accessories. It runs from noon to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Click here for information. 

March 18: Chess for kids

Checkmate! A youth chess tournament will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Sonia Sotomayor Elementary. Offered through Sioux Falls School District Community Education, you can get tickets here. Kids will compete in five matches with individual awards for performance and sportsmanship as well as team-based school awards. Kids new to chess can take part. For an early start, download this guide to the rules.

March 18: Festival of Fire

Augustana University holds its first Festival of Fire from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, within the university’s snow-covered intramural field. Enjoy music and fire spinning — but dress warm because while you’ll feel some heat, it will still be cold.

March 19: The Dog Days of Winter

It might be only the dogs that are still enjoying this long winter? Head to Severance Brewery, 701 N. Phillips Ave., from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday. Co-organizer Tenacious Dog Training will make a donation to train shelter dogs for every beer sold during the event. Visit with local dog-related companies, enjoy a Severance craft beer and bring an item from the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society’s wish list to donate to get entered to win raffle items.

March 22: Author talk

Christine Mager Wevik looked into 52 cold cases in South Dakota history and compiled them into a book, “Someone Knows.” She will discuss why she looked into the cases and highlight several of them in a book talk from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Ronning Branch Library. Registration is required.

March 22: Sioux Falls history

Interested in the early history of Sioux Falls? Then listen to museum director Bill Hoskins speak on “Founding Sioux Falls: The Land Companies Program” from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Pettigrew Home and Museum. Admission is $5.