Late Summer Fun in Siouxland

Back-to-school is just around the corner, and summer may be winding down, but there is still some serious fun to be had in the Siouxland area in August. Dakota City will be holding their 6th annual Cottonwood Days Festival from August 18th to 20th, with Hubbard’s 8th Annual Hoot Owl Days coming the next weekend, from August 25th to 27th. Both events promise to be full of fun and adventure, and we invite you to join in the festivities! Here are just a few of the items on the agenda for these festivals.

Cottonwood Days Festival - August 18 - 20

Dakota City’s beautiful downtown will be buzzing Friday night, August 18th as the Hamburger and Hotdog Feed starts the weekend off. From 5pm - 8pm, vendors will be serving up popcorn, burgers, hotdogs and chips. Be sure to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy our outdoor movie starting at 9:30pm.

Saturday morning starts with a fantastic array of food and merchandise vendors displaying their wares at Cottonwood Cove Park. After you’ve done a bit of shopping, head over to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, where our very own Dakota County Historical Society will be running tours. The annual Cottonwood Days Parade starts Saturday in front of the American Legion, heading down Broadway and ending at Cottonwood Cove. Saturday’s events include a Car Show, Kid’s Fun Zone, Sand Volleyball and Horseshoes, watermelon and corn eating contests, and much more! End your day with a street dance featuring Locked N Loaded, from 9pm to 1am.

Sunday features breakfast at the American Legion, followed by a church service at the Methodist Church.

Hoot Owl Days - August 25th - 27th

For the 8th summer in a row, Hubbard will be celebrating Hoot Owl Days. Friday night, grab the kids and the grandparents and come on out and enjoy movie night at the Hubbard Community Center.

Saturday starts with a bang with our 5k Hoot Owl Fun Run and Decathlon Kids Fun Run. After your run, be sure to check out the Fishing Clinic at Kramper Lake, the Farmers Market and vendor stands, and the 150 Years of Statehood celebration at the Baseball Diamond. The busy Saturday continues with Isom’s Mini Carnival and Petting Zoo, Kids Crafts, a pet show, chair massage, and live music. Our famous Hooting Contest starts at 1pm on stage - this is not to be missed! Afternoon highlights include basketball and horseshoe tournaments and wagon tours of the Danish Alps. Our local rock’n’roll favorite, 35th and Taylor, will be the main event of the night. The band offers an alternative rock sound with a blend of classic and contemporary sounds with a heavy blues influence. Lead singer Anna Taylor was a contestant on Season 6 of The Voice and in 2015 the band was awarded the “Spirit Award” by the Iowa Rock and Roll Music Association. Come and join them for the night of Dancing and fun!

Sunday starts with a Catholic Mass at St. Mary’s Church, followed by a delicious country breakfast by Trinity Lutheran Church served at the St. Mary’s Parish Center. Finish your weekend strong with our signature Lawn Mower Poker Run at 3pm at the Community Center.

We look forward to seeing everyone at both of these fantastic community events!

50 Years of Family Fun: The 2017 Dakota Thurston County Fair

Summer just wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the County Fair. This year, the Dakota Thurston County Fair is celebrating 50 years of fun, food, and entertainment for the whole family! Presented by The Dakota and Thurston County Agricultural Societies, the Dakota Thurston County Fair is pleased to help keep the communities’ rural roots alive.

Wednesday, August 2nd

​​​7:00 PM: 4-H King & Queen and Little Prince & Princess Coronation

Don’t miss out on quite possibly the cutest attraction the fair has to offer - the 2017 Dakota Thurston County Little Prince & Princess Contest! The contestants crowned will have the honor of participating in various fair activities including: awarding ribbons and trophies at 4-H Livestock Shows, making appearances at the Tractor Pull and Rodeo, and riding on a special float in the Dakota Thurston County Fair Parade.

Thursday, August 3rd

6:00 PM: Dakota Thurston County Fair Parade - 11th & Dakota Avenue

The parade begins promptly at 6PM, although arriving early is recommended to ensure prime real estate along Dakota Avenue. Don’t forget to bring a chair for maximum viewing comfort! Local business, celebrities, organizations, community groups, and the adorable Little Prince & Princess will be tossing a variety of goodies, from candy to coupons, from their floats. A word of caution, there is a possibility of getting wet as the local fire departments roll through spraying their fire hoses.

7:00 PM: ​"Tri-State Shootout" Tractor Pull

Gates open at 5PM and registration begins at 6PM. Admission to this exciting event is only $5!

7:30 PM: Free Community BBQ

The fun continues as Conrad’s Kitchen provides fairgoers their famously, delicious pulled pork sandwiches. These are a must try!

Friday, August 4th

7-10 AM: Free Community Breakfast

5:00-8:00 PM: Wine & Beer Tasting

If you are an adult of legal drinking age, and enjoy sampling beer or wine, come raise a glass at the County Fair. Sponsored by HY-VEE.

7:00PM: Mutton Bustin

8:00 PM:  Live Rodeo action

Saturday, August 5th

10:00 AM: Kids & Family Day

$5 wristband for a full day of fun! Kids Day events go from 1:00 to 3:30 PM and include: Pedal Pull, Inflatables, Laser Tag, Kids Ranch Rodeo, Mutton Busting, and much, much more. See the fair schedule for specific times.

4:00 PM: Demolition Derby

$5 admission fee. Gates open at 2PM.

7:00 PM: Mutton Bustin

8:00 PM:  Live Rodeo action

Sunday, August 6th

4:30 PM: Jaripeo  

New to the Dakota Thurston County Fair this year, Jaripeo is a Mexican style of bull riding, and a must see! Gates open at 2PM.

There are many reasons to attend this year’s County Fair. Whether it’s draw is the food vendors, the events, or both, one thing is certain, there is something for everyone at the fair! Make sure to check out our new, air conditioned exhibit hall!

Learn more about the Dakota Thurston County Fair and other events and attractions in the South Sioux City area by visiting the South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce website or calling (712) 255-7903.

8th Annual Cardinal Festival

The South Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the 8^th Annual Cardinal Festival on Saturday June 10^th. This year all of the events will be on one day, so don’t miss out on fun for the whole family! The event will be held at Scenic Park on Riverview Drive in South Sioux City. We have a packed schedule from dawn to dusk ensuring everyone will have a good time.

Food

If there’s one thing you can expect to find at the Cardinal festival, it’s great food. Think you have the tastiest BBQ? Register in the amateur BBQ competition!  We are offering a $100 prize for the winner! Only 12 teams are permitted to register, so hurry! Spots will go fast. Visit our website or contact Dave Mixdorf at (402) 494 -7545. The event will be help from 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM.

Some Cardinal Competition

We have something for everyone at the Cardinals Festival. Watch from the sidelines or throw on your sneakers for our 2nd annual Cardinal Honor Run. Participants can choose from a 10K, 5K, or just a fun run! All proceeds will benefit Veterans and Military families of Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota by providing food, shelter and support. The race will go over the Missouri river on the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Sioux City.  This event will also be the official event of the Nebraska Sesquicentennial, celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Nebraska's statehood. Running not your thing? Get down and dirty with some mud volleyball at Scenic Park or the Cardinal Festival Soccer Tournament. If you’re looking for a game of luck, we will also be hosting Bingo games!

Sioux City Showmanship

More of an outdoorsman than a sports fanatic? Bring your hooks, lines, and sinkers for the Fishing Derby at Crystal Cove. Land the biggest fish in the competition and earn some bragging rights. Are you a car fanatic? Take your baby out for a spin and let it shine at the Cardinal Festival Show and Shine on the riverfront. The first 75 participants get a goody bag and a dash plaque! If cars and fish aren’t your thing, take the stage and join the Cardinal Festival Lip Sync Battle!

For the Kids

The Cardinal Festival is a family affair, which means we have tons of events and activities for the little ones as well as the adults. Expect to see the Meyers Petting Zoo, where there will be a large variety of animals for you to pet and feed like donkeys, sheep, llamas, rabbits, and cute baby and full size goats. After the petting zoo, head over to the Kidz Zone where kids can run and jump in bouncy houses and other inflatable rides! Finally, don’t forget to visit Special K’z the Clown, for some balloon twisting, comedy magic, bubbles, and sing-a-long variety songs. Finally, end the day and make it one to remember by visiting our photo booth.

Enjoy the Show

There is so much to do at the Cardinal Festival, but even more to see! Come watch the Spanish Dancers, Estrellitas De Jalisco, take the stage and move to beat. Or, watch the New Stage Players in their production of Virtue & Justice Triumph Again. Following the show, stay for the featured family movie, Dusk. Finally, end the night with a beloved summer tradition: a fireworks show.

For specific times and locations, view the full schedule here. This old school festival is guaranteed to have fun for the whole family. We hope to see you there!

Don’t let April Taxes be the Death of You

The month of April brings many wonderful things to us here in the Tri-State region, including warmer weather, Easter egg hunts and spring flowers. However, it also brings the dreaded tax deadline for those who wait until the last minute to take care of this annual ritual. This year, April 15 falls on a weekend, which gives taxpayers a couple extra days to file (April 18). But what happens if you are late in paying your taxes?

• File as soon as you are able – While missing the deadline is not advisable, if it happens, don’t panic. File your return as soon as you can to help minimize any interest payments or other penalties. If you are late and do not owe taxes, you will not be assessed a penalty.
• Use IRS Free File – This handy option from the IRS allows anyone to electronically file their taxes for free. Incomes under $58,000 can use free online software. Individuals who owe more than $58,000 can use Free File if they are comfortable filing their own tax return. The Free File from the IRS is available at IRS.gov through October 15, 2017.
• Pay what you are able – If you owe taxes but are unable to cover the entire amount, pay what you can when you file your return. The balance owed should be paid as soon as possible to avoid any penalties or added interest.
• Make a plan – Sometimes circumstances make it difficult to cover what is owed. If you need additional time to pay, you can file for a payment plan with the government. This can be applied for online at IRS.Gov or can be mailed in using the IRS form 9465 for an installment agreement request.
• You may still get money back – If you failed to file taxes in the past, you may still have a refund waiting for you. File as soon as possible and apply it to the amount owed on your current tax bill. Remember, if you fail to file taxes for more than three years, you might forfeit the right to claim your refund.

The South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce is here to help area businesses grow while promoting economic development in the Tri-state area. Come celebrate the achievements of area business professions at the Business Awards Luncheon, May 9 at the Camp Goodwill Achievement Center.  

Save the Date: South Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Luncheon!

As the spring and summer seasons approach, the calendar quickly fills with endless activities.

But before your social calendar becomes too full, be sure to save the date for a very exciting event. The South Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce will host their Business Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, May 9th at the Camp Goodwill Achievement Center! Not only is this a wonderful afternoon for you to socialize and enjoy a delicious meal, it is a chance to recognize outstanding professional achievements from the past year.

The best part about this annual luncheon is that you have a voice in choosing the recipients of these prestigious awards. Simply fill out the attached Business Awards Luncheon Nomination form according to the candidate or candidates you think best exemplify what it means to be a professional in South Sioux City. When filling out your nomination form, we encourage you to consider the following criteria:

Business Impact

Does your potential nominee constantly exhibit professional growth? Are their management practices to be aspired to? Are their business practices sound and ethical?

Community Impact

Is your potential nominee a member of the South Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce? Have they demonstrated commitment to the Sioux City Area workforce and enforced job creation? Are they an inspiration for community leadership?

People Impact

Does your nominee exhibit concern and commitment to their employees and their families? Is the work environment your nominee leads supportive of its employees regarding on-site training and education? Does diversity exist in their workplace?

The completed nomination forms must be sent to the South Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce no later than March 31, 2017. Our mailing address is 4401 Dakota Avenue, SSC, NE. Feel free to also fax your nomination form to 402-494-5010.

This is a wonderful event that you don’t want to miss. The South Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Luncheon is an exciting opportunity to recognize excellence in the business world. Our nominees and attendees represent the very best that Sioux City has to offer.

Reaching Clients on Local and National Holidays: Tips for Siouxland Small Businesses

This February and March present two great opportunities for small businesses in the Siouxland area to reach their clients: Valentine’s Day on February 14th, and Nebraska Statehood Day on March 1st. This year, Nebraska will celebrate its 150th anniversary, or sesquicentennial. Take advantage of the buzz around these holidays, as well as local events, to boost traffic to your business!

Here are a few ideas to inspire you:  

Run a promotion tied to Valentine’s Day or Statehood Day 

Send out mailers or emails with a discount or freebie in honor of the holiday.

Run a social media campaign Encourage customers to post a photo on your social media account what Nebraska statehood means to them. Pick a winner who receives a prize from your business. Valentine’s Day stories are also popular, and you don’t have to limit stories to romantic couples! People love an opportunity to share photos of their pets or favorite local spots - Valentine’s to furry friends, Siouxland, or even your business itself are all fun ways to get your clients engaged in the spirit of competition. 

  

Host an event that coincides with existing celebrations

Throw a party

Right now, many people experience a lull between the busy holiday season and the beginning of summer fun. Giving your clients a reason to get out during February and March makes an impression. Throw a special celebration for Statehood Day on March 1st, or plan Valentine’s Day parties for couples or singles.

Hold special date events

Most couples look for new and fun ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Special menus, paint nights, karaoke, live music, poetry readings, a new local art exhibit, and more all offer something fun and interesting.

Tie your event to a charitable cause

February is also American Heart Month. With heart disease affecting many Americans, and heart themes already in place due of Valentine’s Day, many customers are happy to take the opportunity to support fundraisers for heart health this month, whether they are products or events. Or, hold a fundraiser for a local organization in honor of Nebraska’s sesquicentennial!

Put yourself on the map for Statehood Day

Nebraska Statehood’s website contains a full list of upcoming local events for the sesquicentennial. The NE150 Challenge, in which participants complete 150 miles of fitness activities, could inspire people to walk, run, or bike to your business if you offer an incentive for NE150 participants.

Are you running promotions for these holidays this year? Do you have other ideas to share? Leave us a note in the comments below!

South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce strives to promote and advance the commercial trade, quality of life, and civic spirit of the South Sioux City, Nebraska area. Please visit our website to learn more about what we do and to find out about becoming a member. You can also reach us by phone at (402) 494-1626.