Sioux Falls, SD — The Washington Pavilion is excited to mark the one-year anniversary of the Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman Planetarium on Saturday, August 31, 2024. This milestone follows the extensive renovations completed during the summer of 2023, which transformed the planetarium into a state-of-the-art destination for visitors from all over the region, thanks to a generous gift from the Dick and Kathy Sweetman family.

Since its grand reopening, the Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman Planetarium has hosted a remarkable year of celestial events, immersive films and educational experiences that have captivated the Sioux Falls community and beyond. From breathtaking films that explore the mysteries of the universe to live solar eclipse events, the past year has been a testament to the power of space technology.

“The Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman Planetarium has become a hub for space education, entertainment and inspiration. We’re incredibly grateful for the community’s support and are excited to celebrate this milestone with everyone who has made it possible,” says Madelyn Grogan, Director of Education and Museums for the Washington Pavilion.

To commemorate this special occasion, the Washington Pavilion invites the community to partake in anniversary celebrations with two exclusive offers. On Saturday, August 31, all film showings at the Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman Planetarium will be offered at $1 off the regular ticket price. Additionally, guests can enjoy $1 off scoops of ice cream at Parlour, making it a fun day for visitors of all ages to gather and celebrate.

The Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman Planetarium’s one-year anniversary is not just a celebration of a successful year but also a look ahead to an exciting future filled with new films, events and educational opportunities. Join us in celebrating a year of wonder and discovery at the Washington Pavilion! Stay up to date with current films and upcoming events at WashingtonPavilion.org/Planetarium.

Sioux Falls, SD — The Washington Pavilion is excited to announce a new, major annual outdoor summer music festival coming to Sioux Falls in 2025. Lallycooler Music Festival will take place July 11–12 at Great Bear Ski Valley. Country music sensation Sam Hunt will headline Friday evening of the multi-genre, two-day festival. More big-name acts will be released soon, as the full lineup will include more than a dozen artists representing rock, pop, country, folk and more. Regional and local artists will also be featured in the lineup, and a professional DJ will add to this unique event experience.

“Sioux Falls is a vibrant and growing community that deserves a really special, fun, major summer music festival, and there is no one better to execute this than the Washington Pavilion and 3e Encore teams. We have both the expertise and the energy to create an amazing event like this for the city and the entire region,” says Darrin Smith, President and CEO of Washington Pavilion Management, Inc. and 3e Encore. “Our goal is to bring people together and offer a cool summer event that is for everyone. An outdoor music festival perfectly aligns with our mission to entertain and enrich our community, and we see this festival as the start of a tradition that will grow and evolve, and that the community will be excited to embrace.”

MarketBeat has agreed to be the presenting sponsor. As part of the sponsorship agreement, MarketBeat and the Washington Pavilion will jointly select a local non-profit, which will receive a portion of the festival’s proceeds. A significant goal of Lallycooler Music Festival presented by MarketBeat is to create an event for the local community, supporting local businesses and boosting the local economy.

Great Bear Ski Valley was chosen as the location because of its unique, beautiful and inspiring 260-acre setting. The stage will be set near the lodge looking out at the impressive landscape of hills, grasslands, trees and hiking trails. The ski hill will provide natural amphitheater seating, while the rest of the recreation park provides ample opportunity to spread out. The festival also will include local food and beverage vendors, engaging activities for festival goers of all ages and camping opportunities.

“The Great Bear team is thrilled to co-host this event with the Washington Pavilion! Transforming the park, primarily known as a winter destination, into a year-round venue has long been our goal,” says Dan Grider, Great Bear General Manager. “Seeing the hillside filled with thousands of festival fans next July will be awesome!”

Both full weekend and one-day passes will be available for sale, and pass prices will intentionally be affordable to help create an event intended for the entire community and region. An official on-sale date will be announced soon.

Follow Lallycooler Music Festival on Facebook and Instagram @Lallycooler.MusicFestival for updates. All festival details will be available at Lallycooler.com. Sign up there to be the first to receive additional artist announcements.

The name Lallycooler was chosen to reflect a variety of musical genres and offer both regional appeal and a creative feel. “Lallycooler” is fun to say, funky in visual form and an actual slang term meaning “success.” Soon it will become a household name for music fans across the Midwest.

Lallycooler Music Festival officially will be hosted by 3e Encore, a subset brand identity of Washington Pavilion Management, Inc. The three E’s are tied to the Washington Pavilion’s mission of delivering memorable experiences that entertain, educate and enrich, and this brand will be used more as Washington Pavilion Management, Inc. seeks additional opportunities to take its mission outside the walls of the facilities it manages, the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science and the Orpheum Theater Center.

Sioux Falls, SD — Fresh off celebrating its 25th anniversary last week, the Washington Pavilion is opening a new artisan retail store in downtown Sioux Falls’ Steel District.

Alcove, named for the mystery and excitement of discovery, will be a dynamic and vibrant hub for exploring art and design-inspired products. Along with being a unique retail experience, the space will also host community and art-related events.

“This truly is going to be an experience for guests,” says Darrin Smith, president and CEO of Washington Pavilion Management, Inc. “You’ll be able to buy a wide range of artwork, traditional museum store products like STEAM*-related gifts and games for kids, and other really unique items—things you won’t find anywhere else in our region. Beyond that, you’ll also be introduced personally to artists through receptions and other special events, and you can enjoy a beer or glass of wine during your visit.” (* STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.)

Customers can expect local and regional art for sale in the space, with rotating pieces, galleries and events highlighting the creativity of our community. A range of products, from décor to specialty gifts to hand-crafted jewelry, all inspired by art and culture, will also be for sale in the space.

“We are thrilled to announce Alcove, where art and art-inspired goods blend to create an inspiring shopping experience. Our space will feature works from a curated selection of well-known local and regional artists. We believe in the power of art to transform spaces and enrich lives, and we are excited to support our creative community by showcasing their talent,” said Alcove Operations Manager Meghan Knight.

Alcove is located in the Steel District at 151 E. 4th Place #180. The Steel District is the newest live, work, stay and play development along the riverfront in downtown Sioux Falls and will be a hub of culture and activity near Levitt at the Falls and the Jacobson Plaza. Alcove is set to open summer of 2024, with grand opening celebrations planned. Official opening dates will be announced soon.

For more information, please visit AlcoveSF.com or find us on Facebook and Instagram at @ShopAlcoveSF.