As the scorching hot weather continues in July, Dell Rapids has some things to be thankful for such as water. Big Sioux Media spoke with City Administrator Justin Weiland about the extreme dry conditions that our region is experiencing, and he told us that the city buys its water from MCWC has not been notified of any shortage. The city does have an ordinance regarding water usage or watering restrictions that was passed by the city council of 2000 (which is listed below). If the heat continues, with no rain to help matters, and a ban of any kind should be needed, Weiland said that the first step will be to inform residents of “a common sense” approach. Dell Rapids residents would be made aware of the situation and to take the necessary steps without city government enacting any type of policy or regulation.
City Awarded Financial Assistance
Dell Rapids Mayor Scott Fiegen earlier this month received notice that the city had been awarded financial assistance for drainage, sanitary sewer, and water main improvements on 15th Street and Garfield Avenue, State Street, and the Big Sioux River Crossing from the Board of Water and Natural Resources. That board awarded a $612,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $375,000 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program grant, and a $897,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan. There were some contingency factors attached.
Quarry Days Comes to an End
After a beautiful weekend in Dell Rapids, the 25th Annual Quarry Days celebration came to an end on Sunday. The weekend was full events from the Tour de Kota riders returning to Dell Rapids on Friday to go along with the golf tournament, Take Me out to the Ballgame, and Kory and the Fireflies concert. Saturday saw vendors in the park all day, along with a parade, 5K walk/run, burnout, mud races and street dance by 90 Proof. Sunday wrapped up the celebration with train rides, car show, Little Miss Quarry Days pageant and a fireworks display at the end of the day.
Pictures of this year’s celebration can be found on our <a href=”https://bigsiouxmedia.com/photos/>Photos page.</a>
Saturday Night Street Dance
As Quarry Days begins and continues throughout the weekend in Dell Rapids, there’ll be even more entertainment Saturday night at the Events Center as 90 Proof is the band that will be entertaining during the street dance. This four piece band has been jammin’ for just less than a year together, but the four talented musicians have been playing in other bands and at times with one another for many years. 90 Proof describes themselves as a ‘straight up bar band’ that plays a wide variety of music genres from country rock to classic rock, and some oldies mixed in as well. This all ages street dance will start at 8pm Saturday night, and the music will start out ‘slow to mellow’ and as the night wears on, the beat picks up as the dancers hit the floor.
Quarry Day Excitement Building
The excitement is already underway in Dell Rapids as Quarry Days officially gets underway Friday, June 22nd. The Tour De Kota started their annual bike trek in Dells and will conclude in Dell Rapids Friday which may lead to some participants to hang around for the Friday night baseball game and the concert with Kory and the Fireflies (which will be streamed live at Big Sioux Media). Then Saturday afternoon at the Dutch Inn the Mud Races will be held. According to Tom Herding, owner of the Old Dutch Inn and host of the Saturday afternoon events, registration for the ‘Burn Out’ begins at 1pm and competition at 2pm while registration for the Mud Races will be from 2pm to 3pm and the competition for the Mud Races start at 3pm. If anyone has any questions ahead of time, contact the Old Dutch Inn.
Dell Rapids Starting Point for Tour de Kota
This year’s Tour de Kota has officially kicked off as riders were making their way out of Dell Rapids this morning. Registration was held yesterday at the city park from 5:00 – 7:00 along with a supper feed. After a night of camping at the city park, riders were heading out on the first leg of the 464-mile trek…a 69-mile ride to Beresford. Riders will finish the Tour de Kota back in Dell Rapids on Friday, June 22nd in the final stage, an 84-mile ride from De Smet.
Bridge by City Park Reopened
As some travelers were trying to access the bridge by the city park late yesterday, they were being detoured around as the bridge was closed. Big Sioux Media was able to find out that the state was doing some borings, and a gas line was ruptured. Repairs had to be made to the gas line and the bridge reopened last night…and is open for regular use again today (Thursday).
Dells Soccer
The 2012 Summer Challenge Soccer program is right around the corner, and there are several spots still open to both boys and girls in grades Pre-School thru 5th. If you are interested in playing soccer with us please contact Joni Smith at josmith@sfcss.org for more information. Soccer is every Tuesday and Thursday in July from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, and the sign-up deadline is June 13th.
June Full of Events in Dell Rapids
June becomes a very active month for the Dell Rapids area with events like the Downtown Crazy Days and Cootie Days going on the latter part of this week. This following a successful Little League Tournament that was completed Sunday afternoon (see results & photos under the Sports tab). By Father’s Day weekend, the Tour de Kota will start their annual bike trek in Dell Rapids (and conclude in Dell Rapids as well). Quarry Days is another huge event that continues to add to the excitement for residents and out-of-towners looking for that special family time (check out Quarry Days under the community news tab).
Chamber President, Charlie Pleskac, told Big Sioux Media that a new event added to the line-up is a concert following the baseball game between the two amateur baseball teams. The concert will feature Kory and the Fireflies on stage Friday night, June 22nd. At a recent city council meeting discussion of security was discussed and as Pleskac told us that volunteers will staff the event. Big Sioux Media will be having updates on this concert plus other events as we draw closer to the dates including Mud Races and a Street Dance on Saturday night.