Downtown Sioux Falls starts their summer block parties series
Downtown Sioux Falls (DTSF) is preparing for its first free Eastbank Block Party of the summer season, set for June 2 from 5:30-11 p.m.
“Everything is really just local,” said DTSF Event Manager Jared Indahl.
More: East of Westreville aims for ‘South Dakota sound’
The three local bands performing for this event will be acoustic country artist Brady Wrede, Mat D and the Roadside Revival working in rock and Americana styles, and headliner Clover Fold playing folk music.
Indahl noted that some of the artists, like Mat D and the Roadside Revival, have already worked with DTSF for previous events, such as Downtown Riverfest and other block parties.
“We've had them perform last summer at a few of our block parties and Riverfest as well,” said Indahl. “Everybody loves them.”
He mentioned that the Roadside Revival is one of the favorite bands in the area. The three bands together all performing in different genres bring about a good variety of music and complement each other, added Indahl.
More: Downtown block party bands announced
In addition to music, DTSF facilitates a variety of fun activities at each of their block parties. For June's party, four Sioux Falls nonprofits and businesses have come together to offer entertainment experiences to the guests.
The United Way will offer a chance to win prizes at a duck pond game geared for children and adults.
Indahl noted that for the United Way and other organizations present at the event it is a way to touch base with people in the area and provide them with information about their programming.
South Dakota Aerial and Arts, a fitness studio that provides silk and aerial experiences in Sioux Falls downtown, will offer a free chance to try their silks at the block party.
The third organization will be Sioux Falls Stampede. The hockey team that will bring an inflatable hockey shootout where children and adults can come and try to score.
“They were at one of our events last year, and I took a few tries at it,” said Indahl. “It's fun.”
More: Here's your 2023 guide to 50+ food trucks operating in Sioux Falls this summer
The fourth organization offering entertainment at the party will be Great Plains Zoo with their Zoomobile where children will be able to interact with some of the zoo's animals.
Food vendors for the June party will include Crawford’s Bar and Grill, Curbside Delights food truck, Swamp Daddy's Cajun Kitchen, plant-based restaurant and food truck ‘Brosia Bowl, and SDSU Ice Cream.
Indahl said that DTSF started to have its block parties at least 10 years ago, and they have been popular ever since.
He noted that although attendance at their block parties depends on the weather, it usually fluctuates at around 3,000 to 5,000 people that come to enjoy music, activities, and food and beer.
“They're fun,” said Indahl.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Summer block parties start this week
