Oh No! Raffle Items Stolen For Sioux Falls Downtown Riverfest

People are unbelievable. They sometimes don't think about the consequences of their actions. After a robbery over the weekend, a major Sioux Falls event could be in trouble.

This year's Downtown Riverfest is on Saturday, August 19th. There's usually a raffle held each year. Unfortunately, items for this year's raffle have been stolen. Some criminals broke into the Friends of the Big Sioux River's storage unit where the raffle items were being stored.

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Friends of the Big Sioux River is an organization that strives "to protect and restore the Big Sioux River and its watershed, improve the water quality, and educate our community to build a conservation ethic." They want to encourage the community to use the Big Sioux River as a recreational activity and preserve it for future generations. For this year's Downtown Riverfest raffle, the organization donated a brand-new kayak, paddle, and life jacket. Our news partners at Dakota News Now and a Facebook post from Friends of the Big Sioux River detailed what the stolen items look like and the value of this prize.

The Facebook post from Friends of the Big Sioux River explains the picture is the "exact style and color of the stolen goods. They are a Pelican Sweep 100X Kayak, Bending Branches Whisper Paddle, and a Stohlquist Spectrum Life Jacket." The value of this prize is just over $500. Looks like this theft really wanted to journey down the Big Sioux River.

Anyone with information on the potential suspect is encouraged to contact Managing Director for the Friends of the Big Sioux River Travis Entenman at director@friendsofthebigsiouxriver.org or by calling 605-679-6973.

Downtown Riverfest is almost a week away! There are still opportunities to volunteer during this year's event. More information about volunteering and the 2023 Downtown Riverfest can be found here.

Sioux Falls Area Farmer's Markets

We can finally go outside without our nose hairs freezing! It must be spring in South Dakota. And when the days are warm that means the gardens are growing. It's farmers' market time in Sioux Falls.

Fresh produce, locally made goods, great people, and a good time are found at these farmer's markets around Sioux Falls.

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns

Iconic Sioux Falls: Phillips Avenue Diner, a Downtown Gem

I'll never forget the best malt I ever had. It was many years ago at a new restaurant in Sioux Falls. The restaurant was housed in a silver Airstream trailer on Louise Avenue and was called The Market Diner. The malt was so creamy and I think it was probably the first time I'd ever had whipped cream on top of a malt.

The Market Diner was a unique '50s-style dining experience with neon signs, classic vinyl booths, stainless steel counter stools, and even a jukebox.

That was over 20 years ago. The Market Diner became Dixie Brothers Grill and eventually closed.

A few years later, the trailer was moved to a downtown location on Phillips Avenue, extensively remodeled and renamed Phillips Avenue Diner. The malts have not changed, nor has the diner ambiance.

POSE: Phillips Avenue Diner is South Dakota's Most Instagrammed Restaurant

My niece Ashlea and I ventured downtown and had lunch at Phillips Avenue Diner. The menu includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites. It's diner classics turned up a notch.

The breakfast menu includes omelets, biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash, and of course waffles. Recently, Phillips Avenue Diner's waffles were named the best in South Dakota according to Food Network.

Ashlea had the Ranch Burger and it came topped with bacon, onion rings, American cheese, and BBQ sauce. She substituted sweet potato fries.

My selection was the Burger of Champions. You can substitute a chicken breast for any burger, so I had mine with chicken, Applewood bacon, ham, and American cheese. It also comes with a hard-fried egg on top, but I chose to hold that.

Eat local. Some of the best food and atmosphere can be found at local, non-national chain restaurants. Try Phillips Avenue Diner at 121 S. Phillips Avenue and explore downtown Sioux Falls while you're at it.

Check out the menu here and enjoy one of Sioux Falls' iconic restaurants.

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown