Bob Burns 'Dakota Bowl' Returns To Sioux Falls September 12th

Football season is upon us.

Okay, maybe it doesn't quite feel like football weather yet, with temps still hovering in the 80s, but don't worry; give it a couple of weeks, and you'll be reaching for a sweatshirt when the sun goes down and the marching bands start firing up.

If you're looking for a way to get into the football spirit this weekend, one of Sioux Falls biggest high school football games each fall is almost ready to kick off.

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The 48th annual Bob Burns Dakota Bowl takes place Saturday, September 12, at McEneaney Field on the campus of O'Gorman High School, as the Sioux Falls O'Gorman Knights take on the Harrisburg Tigers.

For nearly five decades, the Dakota Bowl has been a celebration of O'Gorman football, family, community, and the Bishop O'Gorman Catholic Schools. Each year, roughly 4,000 fans pack the stands and surrounding areas to cheer on their Knights and be part of one of the Sioux Empire's most beloved football traditions.

Over the years, the Dakota Bowl has grown into a two-day celebration featuring camps, music, food, family activities, community pride, and, of course, plenty of football.

According to Pigeon605, the festivities begin Friday, September 11, with football and cheer camps for K-6 students. Young campers get the chance to train and play alongside O'Gorman's football and cheer teams. Each camper also receives a shirt and a ticket to the game, along with some memories that will last a lifetime.

Friday night continues with Knight Out, featuring DJ music, a beer garden, and plenty of food. Basically, it's just a good excuse to start the football fever a day early.

Then Saturday is when things really start to feel like game day.

A big tailgate party kicks off at 1 PM, with parking lots filling up, grills firing up, and families gathering for an afternoon of football fun. There's also a Kid's Zone featuring inflatables and face painting, making sure even the youngest future quarterbacks and cheerleaders have plenty to do before kickoff.

The main event begins at 7 that night, as the O'Gorman Knights take the field against the Harrisburg Tigers for a rivalry-fueled evening of high school football at McEneaney Field.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 on game night, and here's a very important reason to grab one: all the proceeds from ticket sales help support every Bishop O'Gorman Catholic School in Sioux Falls.

So grab the family, put on your school colors, and get ready for some football. It's Dakota Bowl Weekend in the Sioux Empire!