AGP Executive Report

Fair Fun & Local Magic: The Cass County Fair is getting a fresh dose of wonder with wandering magician TJ Regul, who’s been turning kids’ requests into balloon animals and card tricks. Pierre Public Art: The Trail of Governors Foundation will unveil a life-size Kristi Noem bronze statue and her official portrait on Friday, Aug. 7, at Hilger’s Gulch in Pierre. Sioux Falls Neighborhood Night: National Night Out hits Sioux Falls on Aug. 4, with 13 neighborhood events featuring meet-and-greets with police and firefighters plus food, music, and family activities. Badlands Night Skies: Badlands National Park earns International Dark Sky Park status after years of cutting light pollution and expanding astronomy programs. Music & TV Buzz: American Idol is renewed for a landmark 25th season, with auditions starting Aug. 25 via “Idol Across America.” Sturgis Travel Tip: I-90 construction in Minnesota could slow riders heading to Sturgis (Aug. 7–16), so plan ahead. Sioux Empire Fair: The 87th Sioux Empire Fair returns with a new teen curfew, plus big-name acts and a first-in-decades grandstand fireworks show. Sports Venue Upgrade: SDSU breaks ground on Dakota Layers Stadium, bringing women’s soccer onto campus in 2027.

Sioux Falls Monopoly Buzz: Top Trumps is bringing MONOPOLY: Sioux Falls Edition to town, swapping Atlantic City squares for local businesses, nonprofits, and landmarks—plus a Sioux Falls-themed Community Chest and Chance cards. Heritage Days in Freeman: Freeman’s Heritage Hall Museum & Archives and the Prairie Arboretum team up for Heritage Days (July 30–Aug. 1) with kids’ activities and evening programs tied to the 250th anniversary. Downtown Sioux Falls Night Out: Wags & Wine returns Aug. 7 with Open Streets on Phillips Avenue, an art & wine walk, and dog-focused stops for rescues and local pet businesses. Badlands Night-Sky Win: Badlands National Park earns International Dark Sky Park status after years of cutting light pollution and expanding astronomy programming. American Idol Comes Back: American Idol is renewed for a 25th season in 2027, with auditions kicking off Aug. 25 via Idol Across America. Sioux Empire Fair Fun (and rules): The 87th Sioux Empire Fair starts Friday with fireworks, big-name acts, and a new curfew for teens 17 and under attending without a parent/guardian. Sturgis Rock Update: David Lee Roth cancels most remaining 2026 tour dates, leaving only Aug. 7 in Sturgis, SD—and Sammy Hagar publicly supports him. Family Theater Stop: Storybook Land Theatre brings “Pete the Cat” to Eden (Aug. 8), Langford (Aug. 9), and Veblen (Aug. 10) with free performances. Local Arts Spotlight: LiRa Dance Theatre presents “Tremors and Soar” this week at the Balleraena Black Box Theater.

Heritage & Community Events: Freeman’s Heritage Days kicks off Thursday–Saturday at Freeman’s Heritage Hall Museum & Archives and the Freeman Prairie Arboretum, part of the 250th anniversary push and timed to keep local traditions alive after the Chislic Festival shifts to every other year. Local Film Buzz: Menno’s historic “Schnitz” bar is doubling as a movie set again, with Parker director Tom Abbott filming scenes for a remake of “In Broad Daylight,” aimed mostly at local audiences. Sports & Facilities: SDSU broke ground on Dakota Layers Stadium in Brookings, a new on-campus home for women’s soccer starting in 2027. Fair & Weekend Fun: The Sioux Empire Fair returns with a rare grandstand fireworks show, plus country, rock and rodeo acts; Beresford’s Old Fashioned Weekend runs July 29–Aug. 2 with live music, an outdoor movie, car show and more. Music Calendar: The 46th Annual Sioux River Folk Festival hits Newton Hills State Park July 31–Aug. 2 with folk, bluegrass and Americana across a full weekend lineup. Arts Spotlight: Alton Brown brings “An Evening of Alton Brown” to Sioux Falls Nov. 4 at the Washington Pavilion.

Sioux Falls Arts & Culture: Off Contact’s new album Can You? is getting a close look, with reviewers saying the band’s post-punk/shoegaze blend plays like a slow-burn language instead of instant hooks. Music Calendar: The 46th Annual Sioux River Folk Festival hits Newton Hills State Park this weekend (July 31–Aug. 2) with folk, bluegrass, and Americana plus workshops and a full weekend lineup. Black Hills Community Music: Black Hills Yoga Fest returns as a free, beginner-friendly day of yoga, live music, and local vendors in the hills. Local Events: Hill City’s “Party in the Park” fundraiser is pushing upgrades at Memorial Park and other park spaces with live music and a big silent auction. South Dakota Spotlight: A Blunt artist showcased work at Nebraska’s Western & Wildlife Art Show, bringing sculptures, paintings, jewelry, pottery, and gourd art to the Fort Robinson event. Big Stage (Nearby): The Red Clay Strays roll into Sioux Falls Aug. 16 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. Community Learning: Sioux Falls opened a new Community Campus at Southeast Technical College to help special education students ages 18–21 build life skills and job readiness.

Sioux Falls Education: The Sioux Falls School District opened a new Community Campus at Southeast Technical College, giving its oldest special education students (ages 18–21) a Lucas P. Wintrode Learning Laboratory to build life skills, employment readiness, and independence. Local Music & Nightlife: Sioux Falls’ Happy Hour spotlighted Banana Ball star Jordan Barth, plus USD pitchers Theis and Dan Jackson’s first pitches—baseball meets big-time entertainment energy. Black Hills Rodeo: The War Bonnet Roundup returns for its 115th year in Sandy, with a behind-the-scenes look at how the director keeps the crowd engaged, including a nightly drone show and fireworks. Community Events: Hill City’s “Party in the Park” fundraiser is set to boost Memorial Park upgrades, while Rapid City’s Black Hills Yoga Fest keeps the vibe free and beginner-friendly with music and local vendors. Native Arts: Deadwood welcomed the Native American Experience back to Outlaw Square, with younger performers sharing language and culture through dance and storytelling. Tickets & Shows: Food-TV favorite Alton Brown brings “An Evening of Alton Brown” to the Washington Pavilion on Nov. 4. Fundraiser Run: Black Hills Studios of the Arts is hosting the First Annual Miles for Music 5K on Aug. 8.

Sioux Falls Music: Off Contact’s new album Can You? leans into slow-burn post-punk and art-rock tension, making its case for patience over instant hooks. Sioux Falls Concerts: Country duo/group winners The Red Clay Strays hit the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center Aug. 16, with tickets already on sale. Sioux Falls Live Comedy/Foodie Culture: Alton Brown brings An Evening of Alton Brown to the Washington Pavilion Nov. 4. Rapid City Community Arts: Black Hills Yoga Fest returns as a free, beginner-friendly day of yoga, music, and local vendors. Rapid City Fundraiser: A hip-hop festival in Rapid City pairs performances with a canned food and school supply drive for Pine Ridge. Deadwood Culture: Native American Experience returns to Outlaw Square, spotlighting younger performers through dance, song, and storytelling. Hill City Parks: “Party in the Park” raises money for Memorial Park upgrades and other Hill City park projects. Black Hills Outdoors/Family Fun: Storybook Island adjusts Saturday’s Family Fun Day hours for heat, cancels the petting zoo, and switches to a free-will donation. Local Events: PleasureLand RV celebrates 55 years with community bash plans, and Rapid Valley honors former fire chief Don “Kobie” Kobes with a memorial dedication Aug. 2.

Rock & Pop Buzz: Sammy Hagar invited David Lee Roth to join him onstage during his September Las Vegas residency after Roth canceled most of his U.S. tour dates, with Hagar posting a heartfelt message and urging Roth to “sing a couple songs” and emcee. Sioux Falls Music Review: Off Contact’s “Can You?” review highlights the band’s slow-burn post-punk/psychedelia style and the tension it builds instead of chasing instant hooks. Rapid City Community Events: Hill City’s “Party in the Park” fundraiser is pushing Memorial Park upgrades via a silent auction and donated food/music; Black Hills Yoga Fest returns as a free, beginner-friendly day of movement, live music, and local vendors. Deadwood Culture: Native American Experience returned to Outlaw Square with younger performers sharing language and tradition through song and dance. Rodeo Spotlight: Ryder Wright won the Cheyenne Frontier Days saddle bronc title via a tiebreaker after a big week of money and momentum. What to Do This Weekend: Sioux Falls’ Hot Classics Night brings classic cars, live music, and vendors for a Shriners kids’ benefit; Storybook Island adjusts Family Fun Day hours for heat and switches to free-will donations.

Rock & Pop (South Dakota): Sammy Hagar sent David Lee Roth a heartfelt message after Roth canceled most of his 2026 tour—leaving only an Aug. 7 Sturgis, S.D. stop—then invited Roth to emcee and join him at his Las Vegas residency. Community Music & Culture (Rapid City/Deadwood): A hip-hop festival in Rapid City doubled as a food and school supply drive for Pine Ridge, while Deadwood’s Native American Experience returned to Outlaw Square with youth performers sharing language, song, and traditional dance. Local Arts & Theater (South Dakota): Paradise Center for the Arts is gearing up for “Junie B. Jones The Musical Jr,” with a fast three-week camp for kids ahead of the July 31 opening. Outdoors & Events (Sioux Falls area): Hot weather prompted Storybook Island to adjust Family Fun Day hours and drop admission, and Sioux Falls is set for Hot Classics Night downtown plus a grasslands festival at Good Earth State Park on Aug. 22. Weather Watch: NWS Sioux Falls warned of dangerous heat and high heat-index values through the weekend.

Rock & Pop Culture: Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth abruptly canceled most of his 2026 U.S. tour dates, leaving only his Aug. 7 Sturgis stop on the books—no reason given. Celebrity Back-and-Forth: Roth’s longtime rival Sammy Hagar jumped in with a heartfelt public message and even invited him to join Hagar’s Las Vegas residency. South Dakota Live & Local: Mitchell’s Arts in the Park drew families despite triple-digit heat, with misting stations and heat-safety tweaks for vendors. Rodeo Spotlight: Noah Lee nearly set an arena record at Cheyenne Frontier Days, winning the semifinals while riding through a broken nose. Community Events: Sioux Falls hosted Nyberg’s Ace Hot Classics Night with live music and classic cars, plus a fundraiser for the Shriners. Family Fun Adjustments: Storybook Island in Rapid City shortened Family Fun Day hours, canceled the petting zoo, and switched to free-will donations due to the heat. Music on the Calendar: The South Dakota State Fair announced Nate Smith as the Saturday grandstand act (Sept. 5).

Classic Rock & Local Stops: David Lee Roth abruptly canceled most of his 2026 North American tour, leaving only his Aug. 7 show at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota on the books—no official reason given. Van Halen Feud, Soft Landing: Sammy Hagar responded with a heartfelt public message to Roth and even invited him to emcee and join him during Hagar’s Las Vegas residency. Sioux Falls Summer Fun: Nyberg’s Ace Hot Classics Night returns Saturday, July 25 with classic cars, live music, and vendors downtown, with proceeds supporting the Shriners’ work for kids. Grasslands Festival: Prairie Fest is set for Aug. 22 at Good Earth State Park near Sioux Falls, celebrating South Dakota’s grasslands with music, food, and family activities. Black Hills Theater: Black Hills Community Theatre is doing a Christmas-in-July push—donate $25+ by July 24 for a chance to win Frozen tickets this fall. Heat Alert: The NWS in Sioux Falls warns of a hot, humid weekend with heat index values near 105—plan outdoor fun with extra water and breaks.

Sioux Falls Nightlife & Cars: Nyberg’s Ace Hot Classics Night returns as a free downtown Sioux Falls tradition with classic cars, live music, and local vendors (Sat., July 25, starting 4 p.m.), with beverage proceeds supporting the Shriners. Black Hills Theater: Black Hills Community Theatre’s “Frozen” Christmas-in-July push is live—donate $25+ (Fri., July 24) for a chance to win tickets to the fall production. Rapid City Family Fun: Storybook Island adjusts Saturday’s Family Fun Day for heat—earlier/shorter hours (9 a.m.–2 p.m.), no petting zoo, and admission shifts to a $5 free-will donation. South Dakota Music Buzz: David Lee Roth has canceled nearly all remaining 2026 tour dates, leaving just one stop—Aug. 7 at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally—while former bandmate Sammy Hagar publicly sent support and an invite to join him in Las Vegas. Community Events: The Washington Pavilion and The Event Co. launch “The 301,” a new Sioux Falls event-space partnership for corporate and nonprofit gatherings. Sports & Summer Events: Sioux Falls hosts the Babe Ruth Midwest Plains Regional Baseball Tournament with hundreds of young players competing at Canaries games. Grasslands Festival: Prairie Fest celebrates South Dakota’s grasslands with music, food, and family activities on Aug. 22 at Good Earth State Park near Sioux Falls.

Heat Advisory: NWS Sioux Falls is warning eastern South Dakota, southwest Minnesota, and northwest Iowa to brace for a hot, humid weekend with heat indexes near 105°F—drink water, take shade breaks, and check on neighbors and pets. Rock & Roll Buzz: David Lee Roth abruptly canceled most of his 2026 North American tour, leaving only one Sturgis, SD date (Aug. 7); the surprise twist? Sammy Hagar posted a heartfelt message of support and even invited Roth to join him in Las Vegas. Sioux Falls Live Events: Washington Pavilion and The Event Company are teaming up to launch “The 301,” a new way to book event spaces at the Pavilion and Orpheum Theater Center. State Fair Spotlight: The South Dakota State Fair announced Nate Smith as the Saturday grandstand act (Sept. 5, 8 p.m. CT). Local Community Arts: Vermillion City Council approved a TIF-backed multi-family housing plan, while Miner County’s Garden/Man Cave/She Shed Tour returns this weekend to support the Rural Life Museum.

Vermillion Sister-City Celebration: Two days after being sworn in, Vermillion Mayor Kevin O’Kelley flew to Ratingen, Germany, to help mark the city’s 750th anniversary—part of the long-running German American Partnership Program that’s brought students and musicians back and forth for decades. Housing Boost in Vermillion: Vermillion City Council approved a TIF district for a new multi-family project at 1030 Elm Street—planned for 56 apartments—after an independent review required by new state law. State Fair Headliner: The South Dakota State Fair announced country star Nate Smith as the Saturday, Sept. 5 grandstand act. Sioux Falls Event Growth: Washington Pavilion and The Event Company launched “The 301,” a new event-syndication partnership aimed at making it easier to book spaces at the Pavilion and Orpheum Theater Center. Baseball Weekend in Sioux Falls: The Babe Ruth Midwest Plains Regional Tournament brought about 650 athletes (ages 8–16) to Sioux Falls, with a big opening ceremony ahead of the Canaries game. Frontier Days Community Moments: At Cheyenne Frontier Days, DT Chuckwagon’s volunteers keep “roping in” new friends—sharing how the chuckwagon cookoff tradition turns strangers into regulars. Rapid City TV Change: CBS is switching affiliates in Rapid City, moving to Forum’s KNBN-TV starting Aug. 1. Local Arts & Culture: “Minnesala” brings a South Dakota ghost town back into the spotlight in Rapid City July 23–26, and Chatku Arts Center’s Red Cloud Art Show continues in Pine Ridge through Aug. 9. Music Festival Tickets: Lallycooler 2027 dates are set for July 9–10 in Sioux Falls, with early-bird weekend passes now available.

Sioux Empire Fair: The 87th Sioux Empire Fair kicks off with “Sneak Peek Night,” plus fireworks and grandstand shows—country star Carly Pearce lands Aug. 1 and Fiesta Latina follows Aug. 2. Local Theater: Belle Fourche Area Community Theater brings the South Dakota ghost town story back to life with “Minnesala,” running July 23–26. Music & Concerts: Hatebreed announces its new album Fatal Paradox (Nov. 6) and drops the single “Kill Count Increase,” with a Sioux Falls stop on Sept. 2 at The District. Community Arts: Mitchell Public Library’s Art Afternoon keeps kids creating with hands-on, low-pressure projects. South Dakota Outdoors: Grasslands Triple Crown’s gravel races put tourists on wheels in Fort Pierre National Grasslands. Airport Watch: TSA Gold+ is rolling out at select airports, including Tampa—promising faster screening while unions raise concerns. Big Culture Moment: Georgia Southern and Yale curators team up to trace a rare Revolutionary War drum tied to Benjamin Clark (1781).

Local Arts & Kids Programming: Mitchell Public Library’s Art Afternoon is back, giving kids a low-pressure space to paint, build, and experiment with creative materials. Music Spotlight: Hatebreed announced its new album Fatal Paradox (Nov. 6) and dropped the single “Kill Count Increase,” with a new video and tour dates that include Sioux Falls. Live Music Update: Yankton’s “Music at the Meridian” will swap in Wakefield for The Talbott Brothers after the original act can’t make it. Community Events: Rapid City Parks is hosting free Family Night and Teen Night pool parties this week and next. South Dakota Talent: Mitchell middle school saxophonist Brady Weigandt earned a spot to perform at Carnegie Hall. Festival Buzz: Sioux Falls’ Lallycooler 2027 dates are set (July 9-10) with early-bird weekend passes now available. Pop Culture Oddity: A T. rex fossil nicknamed “Gus” was sold for a record $50.1 million after being discovered in South Dakota.

Magic & Local Pride: Sun Prairie illusion designer Daniel Summers just earned a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Magical Arts at Hollywood’s Magic Castle—celebrating the kind of original, custom-built illusions he’s made for big names like David Copperfield and Penn & Teller. Hardcore Music: Hatebreed is back with Fatal Paradox dropping Nov. 6, plus the new single “Kill Count Increase” and a video—touring next with a Sioux Falls stop Sept. 2 at The District. Sioux Falls Festival Buzz: Lallycooler 2027 is set for July 9-10 at the Sioux Falls Baseball Stadium, with early-bird weekend passes now available (General Admission $99, VIP $199). Rapid City Summer Fun: Rapid City Parks and Rec is running free pool events—Family Night July 22 and Teen Night July 29—both with games, music, and prizes. Arts in the Capitol: South Dakota Capitol restoration continues with artists working high on the rotunda and dome, part of a multi-year effort funded by lawmakers. Theater & Music Education: Mitchell middle schooler Brady Weigandt is headed to Carnegie Hall for a WorldStrides honors performance series. Community Events: The Rock County Fair returns July 29-Aug. 2 in Luverne with live music, livestock shows, carnival games, and new additions like a Classic Cruise In.