The Week Ahead: Sept. 15-21

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.

Sept. 15: History Talk: Lighting the South Dakota Prairie

Join the Minnehaha County Historical Society as it kicks off its 2022-23 History Talk season at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. A tour of the Stockyards Ag Experience will begin the night. Then, guest speaker Jeff Nelson will present Lighting the South Dakota Prairie. This history talk will cover a brief history of how rural electrification contributed to transforming South Dakota agriculture from drudgery to a leading economic engine. From the earliest failures of the 1930s to the development of the Missouri River and today’s modern electric grid, rural electric cooperatives have played a fundamental role in launching biofuels, renewables and smart grid technology, along with delivering reliable and affordable electricity to every dark corner of South Dakota. Click here to learn more.

Sept. 16-18: Pumpkin Patch Weekend

Get in some early trick-or-treating and pick a pumpkin at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, which this weekend hosts a festival with Halloween crafts, a Magic Pumpkin Patch, Halloween games, trick-or-treating and more. Wear your costume, or come as you are. Don’t forget those Halloween decorations at your campsite either — the spookier the better, and the best decorated site wins a $100 gift certificate. The corn maze is open on weekends for the season too! The campground is along Interstate 90 at the Veterans Parkway exit.

Sept. 17: First Fruits Harvest Festival

This unique event from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday in front of the Union Gospel Mission main office building at 701. E. Eighth St. is all about community building. A freewill offering at the entrance will help cover a community feast at 6 p.m., live music, activities and crafts. There’s also a clothing drive.

Sept. 17: Brandon street dance

If you love a street dance, head to Brandon from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday at Double Ds Saloon, 325 S. Main Ave. For a $5 entry fee, there’s live music from Minority Falls, food trucks and an outdoor beer garden.

Sept. 17: Fernson Fest

The brewery at 1400 E. Robur Drive hosts its annual “Fest” event from 1 to 11 p.m.

Music will be by Kansas City surf poppers Shy Boys, Minneapolis indie charmers Present Company and local band Isanti. Food will be available from Wagoo Burger, Windy City Bites and Hunny & Bunny. For details, click here.

Sept. 18: Loop the Lake Race

Race a stand-up paddle board or kayak at Lake Lorraine and compete for prizes and bragging rights at this event from Friessen Development, and Flow and Paddle. It runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday with races starting at 2 p.m. on the west side of the lake. Parking is available in the Carsforsale.com lot. Register in advance on Flow and Paddle’s website. The cost is $25 per person per race. Participants will be assigned to different heats, with all races timed to determine winners. You can race your own recreational SUP or kayak, or use those provided by Flow and Paddle. Participants may choose to race in more than one category. The public is invited to watch — bring blankets and lawn chairs — with live music from Link West and DJ music from Q Productions. Food trucks FadeAways and Kane’s Baked Goods and Cafe will be there.

Here’s a look at last year’s event: