How many of you remember hopping into the vehicle with family or friends and driving to the nearest drive-in movie park to watch a movie you had been just dying to see? And, as you drove up to the entrance you were greeted by the attendant and asked how many were in the car (sometimes some were hidden in the trunk to avoid paying). Most of the time you had to pay per person, but there were times when a whole carload got in for one price. You found the perfect spot, rolled down the window, grabbed the speakers off the post, and hung them on the inside of our car window so you could watch and hear all the action that came from a huge screen planted in front of the drive-in movie park. All this from the comfort of your vehicle. Bring back memories? There may be other memories attached to the drive-in movie days, but we won’t go into that.
Or, how about running over, under, around and through the sprinkler in the backyard with friends and/or siblings? Afterwards, you were asked to sit on the back porch steps and eat your popsicle outside while you laughed and giggled, still dripping with all that fun. Looking back, I often think about how much fun we had in the great outdoors without spending a penny. Well, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota you still can have a lot of fun without spending a lot of money. In fact, there are many free summer activities open to the public. Here are just a few.
*At approximately fifteen minutes before dusk every Saturday evening through the month of August, free family movies are shown outdoors on a 25-foot inflatable screen in Fawick Park.
* Pioneer Spray Park is available for kids of all ages to take advantage. The park is built with a prehistoric theme and with 60 spray nozzles. There is also water dumping bells and an area for sunbathing.
* For those of you who would rather watch a play rather than a movie, there is also an opportunity for that. There are no charges for admission, but you may want to bring along a favorite chair, blanket, and maybe some bug spray.
* Watching a laser light show at Falls Park (with real waterfalls) is a totally awesome experience. Again, you may want to bring a blanket and/or chair for this. Be prepared to be awe struck as you view the world’s most powerful non-government laser put on a display for us. The music is pre-recorded, but the narration is physically done every night through Labor Day.
* If sports are your game, Sioux Falls, South Dakota is also home to several types of amateur league sports for all ages. For example, there is kickball, basketball, track, volleyball, tennis, disc golf, horseshoes and rugby being offered through the Parks and Recreation program. All in all there are about 40 different sports organizations that partner with the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation program.
Whatever your choice of outdoor activity or sport, you will find it in Sioux Falls South Dakota. Have a great summer!
