This Weekend in the Sioux Empire

Sounds like another nice weather weekend in the works for the Sioux Empire. Plenty of stuff going on too, highlighted by the kickoff of the "Winter Wonderland" at Falls Park. Here are a few things for you and your family to check out this weekend:

WINTER WONDERLAND KICKOFF AT FALLS PARK...starts Friday at 6pm.  See thousands of lights throughout the park turned on for the season, Santa and Mrs. Claus, reindeer and animal friends, music and refreshments.  Parking in Falls Park will be limited to handicap accessible vehicles.  Free parking in the Farmers Market parking lot or park downtown and ride the trolley.

AUGUSTANA COLLEGE THEATER DEPARTMENT PRESENTS “INSPECTING CAROL”…7:30pm Friday and Saturday plus a 2:30pm show on Saturday and Sunday.  At the Edit Mortenson Center Theater.  A play about a theatre company’s annual production of the Dickens classic. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 seniors, free for K-12 and Augie students and faculty.

LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL THEATER PRESENTS MARY SHELLEY’S “FRANKENSTEIN.”... Friday, Saturday and Monday at 7pm in the LHS Little Theater.  All seats are $5 at the door.

SIOUX FALLS STAMPEDE…in action Friday and Saturday night at 7:05 at the Sioux Falls Arena.  The Stampede host the Tri-City Storm on Friday and the Dubuque Fighting Saints on Saturday.

FESTIVAL OF TREES…Friday night from 6:00-8:30pm is the Gala at the Avera Prairie Center.  It includes a live and silent auction of trees and wreaths, wall of wine and hors d’oeuvres.  Tickets are $75.  Saturday, the doors are open from 10am-3pm.  Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, see beautiful trees and wreaths and enjoy holiday music.  A free will donation will be taken at the door.  All proceeds benefit Southeastern Behavioral Health. 

CARS FOR THE CASTLE…this Saturday from Noon until 3:00pm. Charlie Peters was diagnosed with cancer at 2 ½ years old.  He is now 6 and is cancer free.  To celebrate, Charlie is inviting you to Memorial Lutheran Church, 5000 S. Western Avenue. Stop by and jump on the inflatables and play some games.  Instead of presents, Charlie is collecting toy cars such as Matchbox or Hot Wheels that will be donated to Sanford Children’s Hospital.  Every child who visits the Castle gets a prize and they are always in need of prizes for patients.

ANDREW STEEN BENEFIT…Saturday from 3:00-8:00pm at Billy Frogs Bar and Grill, 57^th and Marion.  Silent auction, keg of Bud Light and more for a $10 donation.  Music starts at 8pm.  100% of the proceeds will go to Andrew and his family.  Highway Patrolman Steen was seriously injured while on duty.

FREE THANKSGIVING MEAL…Sunday from 11:30am-1:30pm at Augustana Lutheran Church, 235 North Prairie Ave.  The meal will be served as “first come, first served.”  A free will offering would be appreciated.

LEAF DROP OFF SITES OPEN…until November 23rd. 9am-5pm Monday through Saturday and Noon-5pm on Sundays.  There are 2 leaf and branch drop off sites; on the East side on East Chambers Street by the Household Hazardous Waste Facility and on the West side on North Lyon Blvd west of the Fairgrounds.  ($2/car, pickup, full-size SUV, van or 2-wheel trailers.