The post Summit League Downtown appeared first on Downtown Sioux Falls.
]]>Downtown Sioux Falls is ready to create a slam-dunk experience during this year’s Summit League Basketball Championships.
A quick look around starts to tell the story: signage, banners and plenty of energy waiting to greet the tens of thousands of guests who will be coming to Sioux Falls for the tournament today through Sunday.
“People are not here for a single two-hour game. They are here for a weekend, and we’re here to make sure they’re finding a place to eat, shop and explore between sessions,” Downtown Sioux Falls Inc. CEO Brandon Hanson said.
“What is different this year is how coordinated the effort is. We are taking a literal approach to our mission of driving people downtown.”
The effort is essential, said Mike Krewson, general manager of the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.
“We need to be more than a basketball tournament to be successful,” he said. “Attracting visitors for the games is great, but we want them to come back at other times to enjoy all we have to offer.”
Summit League Central
Jacobson Plaza at Falls Park West will serve as “Summit League Central” this year, offering photo backdrops, a life-size tournament bracket and the chance to try out curling activities.
Look for food and beverage specials inside The Lodge Bar & Grill, and catch the games on TV there.
“It’s just been a great partnership,” said Shawn Pritchett, the city’s director of finance. “Our work with DTSF and other partners was a big reason why we were able to secure another contract with The Summit League. There are expectations that there’s broad, visible community support and that people feel welcome.”
Look for game-day specials, themed promotions and interactive elements like mini basketball hoops, with discounts at retailers and restaurants throughout downtown.
“Every positive experience creates the opportunity for a return visit,” Hanson said. “Think about families planning summer trips and regional visitors who did not realize how much Sioux Falls has evolved.”
The tournament also aligns with the annual DTSF Mash Madness event, which has grown significantly to include 31 participating businesses this March.
Sponsored by Williquors, this taste-and-rate competition offers guests the chance to try craft beers, cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages while voting for their favorites.
“It is energetic, accessible and designed to pull people across multiple blocks instead of keeping them in one place,” Hanson said.
Click here for complete details on Downtown Sioux Falls Mash Madness 2026.
The downtown visitor experience already has been noticed by tournament guests, Krewson said.
“We hear comments ranging from enjoying the Falls and the green space to the small-town feel of Phillips Avenue,” he said.
“Having such a large community lift on creating these experiences through multiple partners is why Sioux Falls stands out as a host site. We don’t just rinse and repeat — we want to level up every year and raise the bar on what we did the year before. Fans love it, teams love it, and even members of the public that don’t go to the games love it because it creates something fresh to do in town.”
Free shuttle, free parking
Through a partnership between Via, which manages Sioux Area Metro, and The Steel District, a free city shuttle will run on the busiest tournament days, Thursday through Saturday. It will connect the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, The Steel District and the downtown core, including Summit League Central.
“The idea is to make movement simple,” Hanson said. “This is a direct effort to make downtown the easiest next step after the final buzzer.”
If you prefer to drive, the following parking ramps are free during the tournament:
- The Steel District Ramp, 505 N. Metli Place
- 1st Avenue Ramp, 110 E. 11st St.
- Downtown Mall Ramps, 110 S. Mall Ave.
“Fans can park downtown or near the Arena and move easily between locations without worrying about cost or logistics. No circling. No reparking. No stress,” Hanson said.
“The ramps are well lit, easy to access and positioned within walking distance of restaurants, retail, hotels and shuttle stops. Instead of circling for street parking or moving your car multiple times, pull into a ramp, lock up, and step straight into the weekend.”
Park once, move easily between the games and downtown, and enjoy everything happening in between.
The Summit League Downtown Shuttle will run every 45 minutes from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the following stops:
- Downtown Bus Depot
- The Steel District
- Holiday Inn & Suites at 2040 W. Russell St.
- Sheraton Hotel
- Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
“The whole point is that even if you’re not going to a game, you can experience everything going on,” Pritchett said.
And, don’t miss the activities planned at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center around the games.
The Sioux Falls Arts Commission is launching “Full Court Color: Arena to Asphalt” — a live public art experience. Artist Les Cotton will create a live mural at the tournament where families can contribute their own basketball-inspired artwork in an interactive Design Lab. Selected designs will be transformed into custom vinyl basketball backboards installed in 10 parks across Sioux Falls.
“They will be focused on high-attendance times between sessions in the atrium of the Convention Center,” Pritchett said. “We’re excited to see the artwork installed in our parks.”
Locals: You’re invited too
The events and activities happening during The Summit League tournament are definitely designed for locals too. The same benefits offered to visitors are extended to locals.
“Locals should absolutely take advantage of this weekend,” Hanson said. “Each time we host a major event, we hear the same feedback from residents who come out. They are surprised at how clean, safe and alive downtown feels. Some perceptions linger from decades ago. When people give downtown another look, they are often blown away.”
The effort is important for the community too. It keeps major events like the tournament coming back and provides another way to support the local businesses that give downtown its one-of-a-kind character.
“The deputy commissioner of The Summit League compared walking into our downtown to ‘stepping into a Hallmark movie.’ That kind of reaction speaks to atmosphere, place, scale and character,” Hanson said.
“A strong downtown produces a strong city. The prioritization and investment over the past five years have reshaped the experience. The tournament weekend simply amplifies it.”
To learn more
Connect with all Summit League-related activities through a centralized website at 2026 Summit League Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships — Downtown Sioux Falls.
“It’s our goal that this year our businesses are aligned, our promotions are synchronized and the message is unified,” Hanson said.
“This is an intentional extension of the tournament. It’s not just something happening at the PREMIER Center. It’s happening across the city. When people think about The Summit League tournament in Sioux Falls, we want them to think about downtown as part the experience.”
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]]>The post Congrats to the 2026 Burger Battle Champ! appeared first on Downtown Sioux Falls.
]]>The top sales award went to Monk’s Ale House for an impressive 9,095 Burger Battle Burgers sold!
Finally, Zandbroz Variety took home the first ever award in the Burger Battle Storefront competition.
Check out these business and give them a huge CONGRATS!
BUY BURGER BATTLE GEAR HERE
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]]>The post POET’s Burger Battle Bingo appeared first on Downtown Sioux Falls.
]]>Download the POET Bingo Card HERE
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]]>The post Winter Crazy Days appeared first on Downtown Sioux Falls.
]]>Friday & Saturday, January 16th & 17th, 2026
FIND ALL THE AMAZING DEALS BELOW!
- Terra Shepherd Boutique: 40% Off Select Clothing & Merchandise
- Zandbroz Variety: 20-50% Off Select Items Throughout the Store
- Mint & Basil: Mid-Winter Sale: 50% Off 100+ Styles & 25% Off Last Chance Racks
- MK Threads: $5, $10, $15, & $20 Racks & ENTIRE STORE 50% OFF!
- Say Anything Jewelry: 15% Off All Ready to Wear Items: Crystals, Earrings, Rings, Bracelets & More!
- Midnight Spark: $5 Off Permanent Jewelry
- Child’s Play Toys: 40% Off Select Toys, Clothing & Books
- Great Outdoor Store: 30% Off Mens, Women’s & Kids Sportswear, Outerwear & Accessories, 30% Off All Luggage & Travel Bags, Additional 10% Off All Clearance Items
- Combine: 30% Off Mens + Women’s Fall/Winter, 20% Off Denim & Free Drink at Highball With Purchase
- Vital Flow Infusions: 15% Off All Retail (Electrolytes & Wellness Supplements) & Vitamin B-12 Injections for $20 (Regular Price $30)
- Nyberg’s Ace: $10 Off $30 Or More Purchase
- Threads by Simply Perfect: Winter Blowout Sale – Sale on All Winter Merchandise, All Shoes, and Additional 20% Off All Clearance!
- 605 Running Co. :TBD
- The Spice & Tea Exchange: TBD
- Woodgrain Brewing Co.: TBD
- Sticks & Steel: TBD
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]]>The post BURGER BATTLE 2026 – “THE MENU” appeared first on Downtown Sioux Falls.
]]>Additional burger images can be found here.
Click HERE to download a PDF version of this menu.
Click HERE to download the POET BURGER BATTLE BINGO CARD
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]]>The post Send a Letter to Santa appeared first on Downtown Sioux Falls.
]]>WINNERS ANNOUNCED! Congratulations to both!
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]]>The post Shop Local + Shop Downtown appeared first on Downtown Sioux Falls.
]]>Below is a list of the businesses both selling and accepting the Downtown Gives Coupons:
605 Running Co. / Child’s Play Toys / Coffea Roasterie / Combine / Dahlia / Great Outdoor Store / Lauriebelles / Mint + Basil / MK Threads Boutique / Nyberg’s Ace / Plum’s / Rose & Eugene / Simply Perfect / Sticks and Steel / Terra Shepherd / The Cookie Jar Eatery / The Spice & Tea Exchange / Threads by Simply Perfect / Trio Jazz Club / Zandbroz Variety / City of Sioux Falls / + a chance to win a $100 gift card from Duluth Trading
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]]>The post Parade of Lights 2025 appeared first on Downtown Sioux Falls.
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]]>The post Pork-tober in Downtown appeared first on Downtown Sioux Falls.
]]>This culinary event, now in its 5th year, features dishes from repeat champions, Chef Lance’s Kitchen and Crawford’s, along with over 25 new and returning Downtown competitors. Here you’ll find a full list of dishes and locations participating. Every entry can be ranked and rated on our DTSF app (passport.DTSF.com). Results will be collected and tallied to announce the 2025 winner in early November.
The breakfast sandwich is an Olympia Provisions pork roll, fried egg, grainaise and New School American on a Big Marty roll.
Angus beef patty stacked with savory smoked pulled pork and layered with smoky gouda, creamy Swiss, caramelized onions, stone-ground Dijon mustard and shredded cabbage on a pretzel bun.
Pizza with a pineapple-infused base, mozzarella and our signature Al Pastor-marinated pork. Includes oven-roasted pineapples, avocado-lime and house-red salsas and finished with red onions and cilantro on a homemade crust.
Char Siu pork lettuce wraps with butter lettuce, Jasmine rice, Char siu marinated pork, shoestring carrots, shredded radishes, crispy chow mein noodles and green onion.
Chopped Italian sausage with mozzarella, marinara, basil and giardiniera on a toasted hoagie bun.
Crispy pork belly bites in a rice-crispy crust, drizzled with raspberry–jalapeño glaze, topped with cilantro, pickled onion petals and powdered sugar.
A pork and hominy in a dried chili pepper broth, garnished with radish, onion & lettuce, and served with lime wedges and chips
Two, grilled, four-ounce seasoned ground pork smash patties atop shredded lettuce and pickle chips on a toasted bun. Topped with smoked chedder, bacon, pickled red onion and chipotle cream sauce.
Compart Farms Duroc pork porterhouse with a peach and grain mustard glaze, served with buttery whipped potatoes.
Slowly-braised pork, bell peppers and latin cheeses, baked in green chili sauce and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, Queso, and jalapeños.
Sourdough hoagie with Mojo pork, butternut squash aioli, fried onion strings, garlic herb butter, mustard cheese and house pickles.
Thinly sliced pork carnitas with salsa verde, chopped onion, jicama slaw, and cilantro in a flour tortilla.
A bone-in pork chop glazed with orange hibiscus sauce, served over parmesan corn gnocchi with two crispy corn ribs, finished with espelette and a fresh orange wheel.
Red chile braised pork shoulder, two poached eggs, hollandaise, pickled red onion and cilantro on an English muffin.
Grilled tomahawk pork chop topped with a fig onion pancetta jam and served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes.
Giardiniera aioli, cheddar cheese, pulled pork, spicy barbecue sauce, fried onion curls and house pickles on a corn bread bun.
Olympia Provisions dunkle wurst, grainaise, New School wiz, sauerkraut, on a pretzel roll.
House-smoked Cuban pork shoulder atop sidewinder fries, topped with Queso, smashed avocado, pickled jalapeños and finished with a drizzle of poblano crème.
Warm french bread, beer barbecue pork brat burnt ends, roasted garlic cream cheese, queen bee onions and curry ketchup dipping sauce.
Iberian secreto with duck-fat fondant potato, charred endive, honey-poached fig chimmichurri, tomato confit, and chili threads.
Hand-cut, Guinness-brined bone in pork chop over cheddar mashed potatoes topped with grilled asparagus & apple beurre blanc
Spätzle, mornay, bacon-braised kale and pork jus.
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]]>The post CELEBRATE THE BIG SIOUX RIVER: RIVERFEST RETURNS SEPTEMBER 20 appeared first on Downtown Sioux Falls.
]]>The 12th Annual Riverfest is set to take place on September 20, 2025, from 2–8 p.m. This year, Riverfest is more than just a music festival with food vendors, retail booths, cold beverages, and more. It’s taking a bold new step in advocating for the conservation and sustainability of the Big Sioux River. The event’s mission is to spark a love for the river through playful activities, engaging programming, and storytelling.
Riverfest 2025 will be held along the Big Sioux River Greenway and Cherapa Place. Food vendors will be set up in the Cherapa parking lot next to the Arc of Dreams. Expect 18 different food vendors, including SDSU Ice Cream, Breaking Burrito, King of Gyros, and Backyard BBQ, just to name a few. Retail vendors will be located on N. Reid Place, in the heart of Cherapa Place, featuring 16 businesses such as Aerial Arts, the Sioux Falls Food Co+op, and Redmond Prime Cuts. Four local breweries: Fernson, Remedy, WoodGrain, and Severance will also be on site serving up cold beers. Picnic tables and restrooms will be available throughout the area.
For the music portion of this year’s event, three bands will take the stage: The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, The Jamie Lynn Trio, The Teels, and the Brassholes. While Riverfest runs from 2–8 p.m., music will kick off at 3 p.m. and close out the night. In addition to live performances, attendees can try their hand at rock climbing up the side of the Cherapa building. This exciting feature will be led by Jeff Johnson, a single pitch instructor with Sylvan Rock Climbing School, and his trained team.
Since 2020, The Friends of the Big Sioux River have collaborated with local breweries to create the Big Sioux Brew, a beer brewed with water sourced directly from the river. After collecting water from the Big Sioux, it’s purified using reverse osmosis (RO), producing a clean and neutral base for brewing. This year, Remedy, and Severance are each crafting their own version of Sioux Brew, continuing the tradition of raising awareness through innovation and taste.
CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS
In partnership with CNH Industrial, The Friends of the Big Sioux are also introducing floating islands, an exciting and impactful water quality initiative. These 6×7-foot islands are made from PVC frames and filled with a coconut-husk-based fiber wrapped in burlap, serving as a growing bed for native plants. As the plants grow, their roots dangle below the surface, absorbing nutrients and helping purify the water. Each panel can support up to 800 pounds.
Currently in use at Covell Lake, the goal is to place these islands directly into the Big Sioux River in the near future. The benefits are multifaceted: the islands improve water quality and provide habitat for pollinators, birds, and fish. Once the plants bloom, bees, butterflies, and other insects can use them as pollination plots, and birds and fish can benefit from the added vegetation and shade. It’s a beautiful example of how we can help restore the health of our local ecosystem. Friends of the Big Sioux will also be hosting a river clean-up on the day of Riverfest (September 20th) from 10am to noon. The clean-up will take place on both sides of the River from Falls Park to Fawick Park.
The river was here long before us, and we want to make sure it’s here long after. That’s why we host Riverfest, to celebrate this natural resource and imagine a cleaner, more vibrant future. This year’s event will continue to be a lively music festival, but with a renewed focus on family-friendly programming and activities that all ages can enjoy.
To get in the spirit ahead of the festival, don’t miss the Downtown Story Walk. This self-guided activity features banners placed along Phillips Avenue that make up an eight-stop journey telling the story of the Big Sioux River. It’s a fun and educational experience for the whole family, and a reminder that the river is a vital, ever-flowing part of our community.
Whether you’re coming for the music, the food, the climbing wall, or the chance to learn more about our river, Riverfest 2025 offers something for everyone. Join us on September 20 to celebrate the Big Sioux River and be part of a growing movement to protect and preserve one of our city’s greatest natural treasures.
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