Oktoberfest
October 2-3. Outlaw Square, Deadwood. Times Vary
Get a taste of the Wild West at Deadwood’s Oktoberfest. At the PolkaFest in Outlaw Square, listen to German tunes from Julie Lee & Her White Rose Band and the Happy Wanderers. Munch on free food, dance, participate in the Wiener Dog Races, and don’t forget to check out the Beer Barrel Games. More info: deadwood.com.
Heartland Country Corn Maze
October 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25. 27455 SD Hwy. 11, Harrisburg. Times Vary
Near Sioux Falls, families can find an 11-acre maze carved into a cornfield, portraying a majestic giraffe snacking on some leaves. Entering the maze, bring the map. It asks various questions about agriculture, geography, and history, and at the 10 checkpoints guests can find the answers. Find the secret checkpoint to receive a free treat from the concession stand. More info: heartlandcountrycornmaze.com.
Spearfish Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
October 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-31. Spearfish Valley Produce, Spearfish. Times Vary
Three miles northwest of Spearfish, a dancing skeleton is carved into a cornfield waiting for families to attempt to navigate their way through its maze. After dark on the final two weekends, the Spearfish Corn Maze will be haunted, and Halloween night will welcome its Scare Maze. Upon finishing the maze, make sure to wander through the pumpkin patch and pick one to carve or decorate. More info: spearfishvalleyproduce.com.
10th Annual Cruiser Car Show
October 3. Main Street Square, Rapid City. 4 P.M.
Roll up to Main Street Square’s 10th Annual Cruiser Car Show for an evening of classic cars and custom creations. Bring your ride and pop the hood, or simply stroll along the streets to admire the hot rods and cars cast in chrome. Stick around from 4 p.m. to sundown, and cast a vote for the best one. Located in downtown Rapid City, there are plenty of food options and vendors. More info: mainstreetsquare.org.
Pumpkin Festival
October 3-4, 10-11, 17-18. Riverview Christmas Tree Farm, Canton. Times Vary.
During the first three weekends of October, Riverview Christmas Tree Farm is hosting a classic pumpkin patch experience and then some. Adults and kids alike can munch on autumn staples like pumpkin pie, fudge, and caramel apples, but while the kids get involved with the Pumpkin Slingshot and farm animals, adults have the chance to sneak away to the Beer Garden. And don’t forget to swing by the Haunted Trail Saturday nights. More info: riverviewtreefarm.com.
A Night of Thrills & Chills
October 16-17. Fort Sisseton Historic State Park, Lake City. 7 P.M.
For pre-Halloween spooks, pick up a park license and head to Fort Sisseton Historic State Park for A Night of Thrills and Chills. After exploring Halloween-decorated buildings, weave through a Haunted Maze that promises to scare. Along the way, listen to and swap ghost stories and more. More info: gfp.sd.gov.
Haunted History Tours
October 23-24. Mead Cultural Education Center, Yankton. 6 P.M.
For the Haunted History Tours this year, the Mead Cultural Education Center is stepping away from the bus tours of the past. Instead, a map will guide participants to and from five different locations in Yankton. Each place will offer a tour guide to narrate the building’s history and answer questions. With the map, the guests will get a ticket, and a fully punched ticket can be entered in a giveaway for various prizes. More info: facebook.com.
Scare in the Square
October 31. Main Street Square, Rapid City. Noon
In the early afternoon on Halloween, Rapid City residents should beware. Hordes of tiny ghouls, villains, heroes, and book-characters-come-to-life will flood Main Street Square. With a map in hand, they will wander from business to business filling up their trick-or-treat bags. The event will be held in conjunction with the Downtown Rapid City Business Group Trick-or-Treat. More info: mainstreetsquare.org.
