After weeks and weeks of preparation, the city of Sioux Falls flicked the switch on Friday night (November 18) to turn on the 2022 version of the Falls Park Winter Wonderland.

The entire Falls Park area along the Big Sioux River has once again been transformed into a dazzling display of festive holiday lights that will illuminate the night skies from late November through early January in Sioux Falls.

If you're new to Sioux Falls or not familiar with Falls Park Winter Wonderland, it consists of more than one mile of Christmas garland, 400 wreaths, 270 adorned trees, and 275 decorated light poles that are wrapped in roughly 25 miles of strings of lights and rope lights. There are also multiple animated lighted displays throughout the park. And a breathtaking 360-degree view of the entire display visible from the Visitor Information Center tower that's guaranteed to leave spectators in awe each time they visit.

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While you're there, make sure to visit the Falls park Overlook Cafe, for hot drinks, ice cream, and other holiday goodies.

As Teri Schmidt from Experience Sioux Falls told Dakota News Now, Falls Park Winter Wonderland has been in existence now for 19 years. The holiday event has become so big throughout that time, that people from all over the region make it a point to visit Sioux Falls during the holiday season to shop, eat and take in at least one night of the Winter Wonderland display in Falls Park.

The holiday season event has become synonymous with Sioux Falls for some many reasons, but primarily because as Schmidt says, "It's fun, it's family, and it's free!"

Winter Wonderland is all about the Christmas season, it's all about making people feel good, and it's all about helping them feel joy during the most wonderful time of the year!

The festive holiday lights kick on each night starting at 5 PM until midnight and run through January 15th.

Winter Wonderland is located inside Falls Park at 131 East Falls Park Drive.

Source: Dakota News Now

Road Trip-Worthy Restaurants Within 90 Minutes of Sioux Falls

Veer off the beaten path. Take a road trip and try some favorite small-town eateries. Just by driving a few miles, you could find some delicious hidden gems.

From steaks to seafood, chislic to chicken, these are out-of-the-way unexpected finds that will make your taste buds tingle.

Here's a list of 14 Road Trip-Worthy Restaurants within 90 minutes of Sioux Falls.

Do You Remember These 10 Crazy Snowstorms In South Dakota?

Here's some news that some South Dakotans prefer not to hear this time of year. Winter is coming. In denial? The dropping temperatures and early snowstorms out west by Deadwood speak for themselves.

Slowly but surely, people of the Sioux Empire are bracing for colder weather and snow-covered roads. Even though snow will soon be gracing the Sioux Empire with its presence, some snow showers will not compare to these ten dreadful snowstorms that hit South Dakota.

Only In Your State highlights these ten snowstorms in South Dakota as a reminder for people to always be aware of the roads during the winter. These South Dakotan winters can be harsh, which is why it is always a good idea to plan ahead and prepare for the worst.

Do you remember any major snowstorms that hit South Dakota?

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