SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Whether it’s around the state or the country, people are getting ready for the summer travel and tourism season.
On this week’s Inside KELOLAND, we take a look at summer travel prospects and learn about the big sporting events that will draw thousands of people to Sioux Falls.
Summer Travel
Near-record travel numbers were recorded over Memorial Day weekend, which marked the unofficial start of summer.
AAA predicted that 43.8 million people will travel more than 50 miles from home during the holiday travel period.
Shawn Steward of AAA South Dakota said those numbers are the second-highest projection since the agency began tracking them in 2000.
“We saw a similar increase in travel in South Dakota,” Steward said, “so we saw an increase in everything from automobiles to airplanes to other modes of transportation, including cruises.”
Steward said the Memorial Day travel numbers are a strong indicator that the summer travel season will also be very busy.
New flights make visiting the Black Hills easier: This spring, Allegiant Air added new nonstop flights from Rapid City to Orlando, Florida.
Rapid City Regional Airport Executive Director Patrick Dame said the additional flights are good for both tourism and area residents.
Sports Tourism
From collegiate tournaments to hosting Olympic curling qualifiers, Sioux Falls continues to grow as a popular destination for sporting events.
The 2024 Midwest Presidents Cup will be held in Sioux Falls from June 14-18. The regional youth soccer tournament will feature 186 teams.
Frank Garnick of the Dakota Alliance Soccer Club expects between 6,000 and 7,000 people to come to Sioux Falls for the tournament.
“All the local attractions are gearing up to welcome people to town,” Garnick said.
Teri Schmidt with Experience Sioux Falls said sports tourism is becoming a big thing in the city.
“Sioux Falls is big on all kinds of sports, from summit leagues to soccer tournaments to softball tournaments. Look at the facilities all over town,” Schmidt said. “There are sporting events for little kids to tall kids, and they’re big events. People and their families come together, and the whole community shares it.”
Dakota Alliance Soccer Club is looking for volunteers to help out during the Presidents Cup.
Arc of Dreams
The stainless steel sculpture spanning the Big Sioux River is a shining example of new development in downtown Sioux Falls.
Ark of Dreams will celebrate its fifth anniversary this summer, with a celebration planned for July.
More than 270 people have donated to the construction and installation of the Ark of Dreams, demonstrating the community support behind the project.
The road of the future
Falls Area Singletrack maintains 15 miles of trails across nine parks in Sioux Falls, with a 10th mile soon to be added.
A local nonprofit will partner with Great Bear Ski Valley to build more than 10 miles of new trails at the recreation park.
The project will be entirely new build, and FAST aims to raise a total of $1 million.
