Tuesday, Dec. 3
Brookings Area United Way invites the community to stop by between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, for an open house including conversation and cookies on South Dakota Day of Giving. Community members can sign up for hour-long Impact Tours starting at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m., which would stop at the Brookings Arts Council, Brookings Activity Center, Brookings Food Pantry and Brookings Behavioral Health & Wellness. A tour at noon will make stops at Brookings Backpack Project and to a Brookings Area Habitat for Humanity home build site in Aurora. Transportation will be provided by BATA. Sign up through the Brookings Area United Way Facebook page or by calling 692-4979. The tours will start at the United Way office, 619 Fifth Ave., Brookings.
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The South Dakota Humanities Council will host a 2020 One Book Reveal/Day of Giving Party from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 1215 Trail Ridge Road Ste. A. Visitors can join the fundraising movement that’s sweeping South Dakota, win free books, enjoy coffee and treats and find out the 2020 One Book South Dakota and Young Readers One Book at 3:15 p.m. Come meet the 2020 One Book South Dakota author and get your book signed from 3-5 p.m.
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The Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter invites the community to a South Dakota Day of Giving open house from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 807 Onaka Trail. Come tour the facility, sign up for door prizes, and enjoy some treats from the hot cocoa bar.
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Community members from Brookings and the surrounding area are invited to join the Boys & Girls Club of Brookings at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, for a tour of its facilities. There is no need to RSVP. Club leaders say this is a great opportunity to check out the club, learn more about what activities are available for youth and ask questions about how it impacts the community’s youth every day. All are welcome.
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The Brookings County Youth Mentoring Program will host a Hungry for Change Challenge at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, on the second floor of Metabank. Elected officials Dan Nelson and Leah Brink will face off in a hotdog eating contest, and walk-on contenders are also welcome. Also in honor of South Dakota Day of Giving, BCYMP invites the public to come enjoy hotdogs and other tail-gating type of snacks from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Stop by anytime from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. to say hi and to show that you, too, are hungry for change for the kids in the community.
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Brookings Community Sing will gather from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, for some seasonal caroling. The group will meet at the Brookings Arts Council to warm up among the festive trees and then drive to a series of local senior centers to regale residents with song. All are welcome.
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All veterans are welcome to Warriors Rock at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Brookings Arts Council, 524 Fourth St. The free program will provide individualized guitar instruction and music experiences to support veterans. No experience is needed, and participants move at their own pace. To sign up call or text your name to Connie Johnson at 605-651-3649.
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Brookings PFLAG is holding an AIDS Service of Remembrance as part of World AIDS Day activities at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at United Church of Christ, 828 Eighth St. S. The service will include readings, special music, time for personal sharing and remembering those who have died from AIDS. The public is invited to attend. Brookings PFLAG provides education and support for parents, family and friends of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders in the Brookings area. For more information, contact president Teri Johnson at revterijohnson7@gmail.com.
Wednesday, Dec. 4
1 Million Cups, a way for creators, artists, entrepreneurs and business owners to gather and share ideas on upcoming projects or new products, will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota. Free coffee will be served.
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The Brookings Public Library will host a free screening of the live-action movie “The Lion King” starting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. Rated PG; 118 minutes. Free popcorn will be served.
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Bingo at the Brookings VFW, 520 Main Ave., is from 6:30-10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. Cards are handed out at 6:30, and bingo starts at 7. Lunch will be available. For more information, call 692-6771.
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An Evening with Joy Harjo, United States Poet Laureate, starts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. In 2019, Harjo was appointed the 23rd United States poet laureate, the first Native American to hold the position. She is coming to Brookings thanks to generous donations from the 3M Vibrancy Grant to the Brookings Arts Council, the South Dakota Humanities Council, the City of Brookings, and a private donor. Tickets to the event are free but must be reserved online at https://www.brookingsartscouncil.org/joy-harjo-tickets or by contacting 692-4177 or directorbac@swiftel.net.
Thursday, Dec. 5
An Adult Mental Health First Aid course will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Research Park at SDSU. Contact Heidi Gullickson, Brookings Area United Way, at heidi@brookingsunitedway.org or 692-4979 for more information or to register. Mental Health First Aid is a course that gives people the skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis such as contemplating suicide.
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If you love to paint, join the painting group that meets from 12:30-4 p.m. every Thursday at the Brookings Arts Council, 524 Fourth St. Come work on individual projects and collaborate on art talk and ideas. No pre-registration is needed.
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The Third Judicial Circuit will celebrate the commencement ceremony for two graduates of Brookings County Drug Court at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, in the third-floor courtroom of the Brookings County Courthouse, 314 Sixth Ave. in Brookings. Featured speaker will be KBRK Morning Host, Bob Wayne. The public is invited to attend, and a reception will follow the ceremony.
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Feeding Brookings grocery distribution is held from 4-5 p.m. every Thursday at Ascension Lutheran Church, 2030 Third St. To donate, volunteer or for more information, log onto www.feedingbrookings.org.
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The community is invited to the Mayor’s Holiday Celebration, set for 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at the McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center. Coat check tips support BHS “Bobcats on Broadway” students.
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The public is invited to attend the Parent & Guardian Symposium starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, in Bell Auditorium at Brookings High School. The evening will focus on pitfalls that can impact local teenagers. Local resources will be available for questions and information during the resource fair from 6-6:30 p.m. Speakers will begin at 6:30 p.m. and are scheduled for a half hour on each topic: vaping presented by the school resource office, social media presented by school counselors, and sleep needs presented by Dr. Matt Bien. This event is sponsored by Brookings School District and Social Net Works. For more information, contact Michelle Vande Weerd at 696-4714.
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The Brookings Arts Council will host a Holiday Décor class from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at 524 Fourth St. Participants will make custom holiday signs for their house. Cost is $35. Sign up by logging onto www.brookingsartscouncil.org or calling 692-4177.
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The SDSU School of Performing Arts presents its 17th biennial A Madrigal Feaste, Dec. 5-8 at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $45 apiece and are still available for the shows at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. The Friday and Saturday shows are sold out. For tickets, call 688-5187 or visit www.sdstate.edu/madrigal-feaste.
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State University Theatre presents Ibsen’s classic play “Hedda Gabler” Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 5-8 at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. Showtime on Thursday, Dec. 5, is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available from noon-4 p.m. weekdays at the PAC box office and 90 minutes before each performance. Cost is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and military, $14 for faculty and staff, $13 for non-SDSU students and children, and free for SDSU students with ID.
Friday, Dec. 6
The Festival Weekend Christmas Market will be held Friday through Sunday, Dec. 6-8, at First Lutheran Church, 337 Eighth St., Brookings. Set for Friday is Purses for a Powerful Purpose with Christmas Tables. Shopping is from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., featuring gently used purses, jewelry, scarves, Christmas décor and a silent auction. A salad and dessert luncheon starts at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 apiece and can be reserved by messaging your name and number of tickets to Mary Moeller at 690-8862; pay at the door. The Mission Market will feature a new assortment of fair trade merchandise, and quilts created by the First Lutheran Mission Quilters will be for sale.
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Brookings Critical Mass will hold a Christmas Lights Bicycle Ride on Friday, Dec. 6. Meet at the corner of Fifth Street and Main Avenue at 6 p.m. and the group will check out some well-decorated streets. Have lights on your bike, too! All-ages, casual bike ride, about one hour. For more information, visit brookingscriticalmass.weebly.com or the group’s Facebook page.
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Bingo at the Brookings VFW, 520 Main Ave., is from 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Cards are handed out at 6:30, and bingo starts at 7. Lunch will be available. For more information, call 692-6771.
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The seventh annual Music & Mistletoe Fundraiser will be held from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the McCrory Gardens Education & Visitor Center, 631 22nd Ave., Brookings. Come enjoy delicious food, a cash bar, live music and the grand lighting of Garden Glow. Be the first to walk through this year’s expanded outdoor light display. Tickets at $35 apiece and may be ordered by calling 688-vv6707 or online at www.mccrorygardens.com.
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State University Theatre presents Ibsen’s classic play “Hedda Gabler” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available from noon-4 p.m. weekdays at the PAC box office and 90 minutes before each performance. Cost is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and military, $14 for faculty and staff, $13 for non-SDSU students and children, and free for SDSU students with ID.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Lake Campbell Lutheran Church’s annual Cookie Walk starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at 46610 219th St., one mile west of Lake Campbell. Choose your own holiday cookies, candies and bars from a buffet priced at $8 per pound. Fresh cinnamon rolls and coffee will also be served. All proceeds are donated to missions.
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Looking for free time to do some shopping before Christmas? Our Savior Lutheran Church will host Christmas for Kids from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at 1010 Eighth St. S., Brookings. The free event is for children ages 4 years through fourth grade and includes Christmas activities and lunch. Register your child by Wednesday, Dec. 4, by calling 692-6989, email osavior@brookings.net or log onto www.oslcbrookings.net.
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Find arts, crafts, food items and gifts for everyone on your list at the 39th annual Volga Beta Psi Gallery of Gifts, held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Sioux Valley High School gym. Over 70 vendors will be there, and Volga Scouts will serve lunch from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
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The Festival Weekend Christmas Market continues from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at First Lutheran Church, 337 Eighth St., Brookings. The event includes ham baskets and bake sale, Mission Market featuring a new assortment of fair trade merchandise, silent auction, quilts created by the First Lutheran Mission Quilters, and Purses for a Powerful Purpose featuring purses, jewelry, scarves and Christmas décor.
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The South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum will host a Holiday Ornament Make & Take event from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at 977 11th St., Brookings. Kids are welcome to stop by the museum and create a farm themed ornament to take home for themselves or give as a gift. The event is free and open to the public.
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Grab your camera and come visit Santa and Mrs. Claus from 10:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 7, at Café Coteau in the Children’s Museum of South Dakota. The event is open to the public and does not include admission into the museum.
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Holiday hours for the Festival of Trees at the Brookings Arts Council, 524 Fourth St., are: Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sundays, 1-4 p.m.; Mondays, closed; Tuesdays, 12-7 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursdays, noon-5 p.m.; Fridays, noon-7 p.m.
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An Old-Fashioned Christmas in Volga will be a festive day for the whole family on Saturday, Dec. 7. Horse-drawn wagon rides begin at the fire station at 1, 1:30, 2, 2:30, 3 and 3:30 p.m. Then take a warm bus or a brisk hayride for the Holiday Light Tour, also starting at the fire station at 5, 5:30, 6 and 6:30 p.m. Ride tickets are $5 apiece and can be purchased at the fire station. The Parade of Lights starts at 7 p.m., with participants lining up at 6 p.m. in the First Lutheran parking lot. Also make plans to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the fire station and enjoy hot chocolate and holiday treats. Free-will donations are welcome.
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The Brookings Arts Council will host a Professional Holiday Cookie Decorating class from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at 524 Fourth St. Learn the basics of decorated sugar cookies with this holiday-themed class. Participants will decorate six sugar cookies with step-by-step instructions. Learn royal icing techniques including piping, flooding, wet on wet, and more. Cost is $35 per person. Sign up by logging onto www.brookingsartscouncil.org or calling 692-4177.
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Stroll through a wonderland of lights, images and scenes of the holidays at McCrory Gardens’ Garden Glow. The outdoor light display will be open from 5-8 p.m. every night through Jan. 6, excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for youth 6-17 years old, and free for kids 5 and younger, SDSU students with ID, and McCrory Gardens members.
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State University Theatre presents Ibsen’s classic play “Hedda Gabler” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available from noon-4 p.m. weekdays at the PAC box office and 90 minutes before each performance. Cost is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and military, $14 for faculty and staff, $13 for non-SDSU students and children, and free for SDSU students with ID.
Sunday, Dec. 8
The Festival Weekend Christmas Market continues from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at First Lutheran Church, 337 Eighth St., Brookings. The event includes ham baskets and bake sale, Mission Market featuring a new assortment of fair trade merchandise, silent auction, quilts created by the First Lutheran Mission Quilters, and Purses for a Powerful Purpose featuring purses, jewelry, scarves and Christmas décor.
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Enjoy a wintery ride in a horse-drawn carriage through McCrory Gardens’ Arboretum with a cup of warm hot chocolate or coffee from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. Santa will also be there! Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for SDSU students and youth (6-17 years) and free for kids 5 and younger. Last ride leaves the event center at 3:30 p.m. Time with Santa is free, as well as the work of a professional photographer on-site.
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State University Theatre presents Ibsen’s classic play “Hedda Gabler” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available from noon-4 p.m. weekdays at the PAC box office and 90 minutes before each performance. Cost is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and military, $14 for faculty and staff, $13 for non-SDSU students and children, and free for SDSU students with ID.
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The SDSU School of Performing Arts presents its 17th biennial A Madrigal Feaste at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $45 apiece; call 688-5187 or visit www.sdstate.edu/madrigal-feaste.
