Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - On Saturday, August 16th, Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. organized the second annual Downtown Riverfest. Event organizers estimate attendance of about 15,000 people, surpassing the inaugural event’s attendance of nearly 10,000 in 2013.
Downtown Riverfest aimed to bring people downtownto discover and enjoy the newly redeveloped downtown riverfront, embracing the beauty of the Big Sioux.
The event featured live music, live art, kids' activities, an interactive water fountain, fireworks and food, beverage & retail vendors at the expanded venue on the downtown river greenway.
“We’re thrilled with the continued success of this new event,” said DTSF Communications Manager Brienne Maner. “Showcasing local and regional talent in a unique setting seems to resonate with festival goers, and we were happy that so many different cross-sections of the community were in attendance to celebrate with us.”
Venue expansions included the newly revitalized Raven area, where the Washington Pavilion provided activities for over 500 kids.
“We definitely had more people this year than last. I would say we had 500 kids and families come through our area. It was continuously busy from the start at 4pm. It reminded me a lot of how busy we get at JazzFest, but only in less time,” said Washington Pavilion staff, Kahthrina (Ms. Trina) Ruud.
The city of Sioux Falls played an integral role in redeveloping the downtown riverfront, thus creating a beautiful new asset to downtown. As an added feature, Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. coordinated the installation of LED up-lighting in the 43 trees along the riverfront from 6th to 8th Street. Visitors and residents can enjoy the beautiful illumination in the evenings through Thursday, January 15, 2015.
With the unique venue, attendees were able to walk, run, bike, canoe or kayak to this event located on the city of Sioux Falls bike trail at the Downtown River Greenway.
Downtown Riverfest was presented by Lloyd Companies and also made possible by several sponsors: Artisia Fine Art Services, Avera, Beal Distributing, CorTrust Bank, Country Inn & Suites, Dacotah Bank, Ecomaniacs, Exposure Gallery & Studios, First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard, Great Western Bank, Howalt + McDowell, Lloyd Companies, Midcontinent Communications, Prairie Berry East Bank, Pride Neon, Raven Industries, Results Radio Townsquare Media, Sanford Health, Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau, Stockwell Engineers, White Wall Sessions and Xcel Energy.
Thanks to Cherapa Place, Raven Industries and the City of Sioux Falls, including the Parks & Recreation department. Their cooperation and support of Downtown Riverfest was instrumental to the event’s feasibility and success.
Plans for the third annual Downtown Riverfest 2015 are in the works for Saturday, August 15th.