BROOKINGS We were trying to find something that hasnt been done in the past, Hope Sellick, who with Cierra Murphy is co-chairing the 2025 Pioneer Days in White, explained. Were celebrating all things in the 80s: the neon colors, big boomboxes, pink hair, funky outfits. Were having a couple dress-up contests, for the kids and for adults. And so the resulting theme became back to the 80s. There will be some prizes for the dress-up winners.
Pioneer Days starts out Thursday afternoon with a free will donation meal from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Arthur Graslie City Park. Meanwhile and also at the park at 6:30 p.m. is a kids tractor pull with games to follow. A bit later from 8 p.m. to midnight is a patio party at Leftys Sports Pub.
Friday brings an all-day golf tournament, a bean bag tournament at 6 p.m. and entertainment at Leftys from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. Saturday.
Saturday brings the day that brings all the festivities together, with the parade at 11 a.m. being the big event of the day and the weekend. The planned start for the parade is the northwest corner of Arthur Graslie City Park. (However, construction in the area could necessitate a change.) We are advertising for anybody who has a float in the parade to decorate it with the 80s theme, Sellick said. Theres some prizes that they can win.
Come 1:30 p.m. is one of the more unusual events taking place at a small-time summer celebration: the pigeon auction, which takes place in the middle of City Park. There are roughly six pigeons, Sellick noted. They set them all up on a trailer and you get to look at them during the day and pick out your pigeon. They auction off all six and let them fly home. They pay out for first, second and third (place).
One big draw celebrating its silver anniversary (25 years) is the annual chili cook-off. The competition takes up a big chunk of Saturday for those cooks who pony up the $40 entry fee: 9 a.m., setup; Noon, prep time; 1 p.m., start your stoves; 4 p.m., judging begins; and 5 p.m., winners are announced. Prizes cash and trophies and bragging rights go to the top five finishers. Additionally, a trophy will be awarded to the best decorated booth. Jennifer Olson, organizer and overseer of the cook-off, explained that several official judges will decide the winners. Anyone who would like to can purchase a ticket to be an unofficial taster and cast their vote for the best chili the peoples choice and its cook will receive a trophy. Olson said about 25 contestants will be participating.
A social hour at 6 p.m. precedes the annual and always popular alumni banquet, an all-school classes reunion for those students who over the years have graduated from the Deubrook School System.
Of course, no South Dakota small-town celebration would be complete without the Saturday night street dance. For White, the days wrap-up starts between Leftys and City Hall at 8 p.m. and goes to midnight. The band is Eclipse. Admission is free. Food trucks will be available. Alcoholic beverages will be for sale but no coolers are allowed.
Come Sunday its time to wind down. The Legion breakfast goes from 8 to 11 a.m. At 3 p.m. theres the demolition derby at the ball fields.
Listed above are just some of the many events taking place in White at its signature annual event. There are many, many more too many to mention. For a complete list of whats happening in White from Thursday through Sunday, check out page 7 in the July 14 edition of The Brookings Register. Additionally, there are several online sites tied to White, South Dakota, that will let you know whats happening when and where out there.
Contact John Kubal at [email protected].
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