The City of Sioux Falls’ Parks and Recreation department will host Halloween activities at Jacobson Plaza beginning Friday, Oct. 23. The schedule includes a decorated skeleton display, a roller-skating party, a trick-or-treat trail and a pumpkin trot.
“Sioux Spooktacular will have activities for all ages, from a decorated skeleton display and skate party to a Trail or Treat and Pumpkin Trot,” said Jackie Nelson, recreation manager for the city. “These activities gives families a chance to explore Jacobson Plaza, Lloyd Landing and Falls Park at their own pace and make some fun Halloween memories along the way.”
Sioux Spooktacular Skeletons
The Sioux Spooktacular Skeletons display will open at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, and remain on display through Sunday, Nov. 1, during skate rental hours. Visitors can walk through the Jacobson Plaza Warming House to see skeletons decorated by city departments and vote for their favorite. Admission is free.
Halloween Skate Party
A Halloween-themed skate party will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. The event will include music, lights and a costume contest. Skate rentals cost $3 and all ages are welcome.
Sioux Spooktacular Trail or Treat
The Sioux Spooktacular Trail or Treat will run from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Jacobson Plaza and Lloyd Landing. Visitors can find treats, games, photo opportunities and activities hosted by local businesses. A separate area will offer treats for dogs.
The event has no designated starting point or required route. Visitors can move through it at their own pace and stop at booths in any order. Admission is free and registration is not required.
Sioux Spooktacular Pumpkin Trot
The Sioux Spooktacular Pumpkin Trot will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25. Participants can dress in costume and run or walk from Lloyd Landing to the pumpkin patch located at The Falls open air shelter. Participants will choose a pumpkin, then carry it back to Lloyd Landing to decorate. Registration is required at siouxfalls.gov/pumpkin-trot.
The Lodge Bar & Grill
The Lodge Bar & Grill will offer Halloween-themed food and drink specials on Saturday, Oct. 24. Smash burgers will be served on pumpkin-branded buns, and the menu will include a $5 Candy Corn Crush mocktail. For each adult entree purchased, guests will receive a children’s meal with a side and drink at no charge. A special Sioux Spooktacular happy hour will run from 4 p.m. until closing.
Halloween lighting at The Falls
The Parks and Recreation department also will light The Falls in festive colors Friday and Saturday night.
Public Health department exercise
The city’s Public Health department will use Trail or Treat to practice its response to a major medical incident. Staff and volunteers will simulate the flow of a point of dispensing, or POD, where people could be screened and receive medication during an emergency.
At the booth, children will receive one of two randomly assigned spooky hand stamps directing them to chocolate or fruity candy. The exercise will not include actual medical screening or medication distribution. Staff and volunteers will practice participant flow, coordination and supply tracking.
“This exercise gives our team a chance to practice how we would organize participants, coordinate staff and volunteers, and track supplies during a major medical incident,” said Jaimie Roggenbauer, public health program manager for the city. “The hand stamps and candy are part of the simulation. No one will receive medical screening or medication.”
For more information about Halloween activities at Jacobson Plaza, visit explorethefalls.org/Events-directory or download the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation mobile app from the App Store or Google Play.