Sioux Falls is the largest city in South Dakota and dates back to the 1800s. Native American tribes were here first, followed by German immigrants who established the first permanent settlement in 1856. The city's name comes from the falls on the Big Sioux River, which powered early industries. Sioux Falls experienced a population and industry boom in the late 1800s, becoming a regional center for trade and commerce. In the 20th century, the city's economy diversified, with healthcare, financial services, and telecommunications becoming prominent industries.
The sense of community was highlighted in 2019, when Sioux Falls simultaneously set the world record for the most people opening a fortune cookie, with 339 participants. The Sioux Empire Fair is an annual week-long event with over 250,000 attendees annually. The fair features carnival rides, live music, animal shows, agricultural exhibits, commercial vendors, and various food options. The grandstand hosts top musical entertainment, and the concerts are free with paid fair admission. The fair has a long history of over 80 years and has become a beloved annual tradition for families and communities in the Midwest.
Established in 1963, The Great Plains Zoo aims to educate, conserve, and provide recreation and discovery. The zoo now exhibits hundreds of live animals from around the world in natural habitats. It is a regional education leader with an annual reach of up to 40,000 adults and children through interactive ZooMobiles and hands-on programming. Older exhibits have been renovated, and there are new, larger animal habitats, including the Asian Cats, Rare Rhinos of Africa, Snow Monkeys, and Fortress of the Bears.
The SculptureWalk is an annual public sculpture exhibit that aims to make art accessible to everyone. Each spring, the exhibit curators install sculptures throughout downtown for year-round viewing, chosen by a blind jury. During the voting period, the public selects a "People's Choice Award" winner, which becomes part of the permanent collection. In addition, "Best of Show" awards are given to works of exceptional artistic merit and creativity. The Arc of Dreams, created by South Dakota Artist Laureate Dale Claude Lamphere, is the latest addition to the sculpture collection, spanning nearly a football field length downtown. It represents the leap of faith required to pursue one's dreams.
Sioux Falls boasts a rich history that includes ghosts and paranormal activity stories. One of the most well-known haunted places is the Orpheum Theater, built in 1913 and is believed to be haunted by the ghost of a former stagehand who fell to his death during a performance. The Pettigrew Home and Museum, a house built in 1889, is believed to be haunted by the ghost of Pettigrew's wife. Visitors have reported strange noises, unexplained smells, and even the apparition of a woman. At The Old Courthouse Museum, there are reports of doors opening and closing, footsteps, and someone whistling.
Ghosts aren't the only ones in the area that are hard to see. So is the dirt inside of your air ducts. You won't need a Ghostbuster or a dust buster to remove it; only A-1 Preferred Duct Cleaning. We have been chasing the dirt out since 1997, so contact us today and breathe easy.
